Sinn Fein declare their role in talks 'finished'

The signs were looking ominous for the future of the 'Joint Declaration' tonight following a meeting between Sinn Fein representatives and the British and Irish Governments today.

Shortly before their meeting with US special Envoy, Richard Haass, Sinn Fein leaders, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness declared their party's role in the negotiations were "finished".

Mr Adams said: "Our discussions with the two governments on the measures needed to implement the Agreement are in my view now finished.

"There are critical issues which have yet to be properly dealt with. But in our discussions with the governments we told them several days ago that the negotiations are concluded.

"There is now, therefore, no reason or excuse for the government's to delay the publication of their plan, setting out how they intend to complete the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement."

Sinn Fein's meeting with the two government's was just one of a number of discussions between British and Irish governments as they desperately tried to rescue their plan to end the current political deadlock in Northern Ireland.

Meetings are expected to continue as they try and break the current impasse.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern were due in the province yesterday to unveil the blueprint that would fully implement the Good Friday Agreement. However, this plan was discarded at the last minute.

However, following talks with Mr Ahern today, the Prime Minister was hopeful that "even at this late stage, any of the difficulties can be ironed out and dealt with".

"Now the two governments have been completely clear about our own positions, and this is one of the things that is remarkable about these past few months is how closely the two governments have worked together, there is no dispute between us about any of these issues at all," he added.

(MB)