Adams Calls For Haass Deal Before May Elections

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has accused the British government of "failing to support the Haass proposals" and has called for a deal to be reached before the local and European elections in May.

Mr Adams made the comments in a speech delivered at a constituency meeting last night.

"Political unionism has either rejected the Haass proposals or prevaricated," he said. "The negative approach of the British government has facilitated this. The British have broken their commitments and this is having the effect of emboldening intransigent unionism."

The Sinn Féin leader said the British government needed to make a decision on the proposals that were drawn up by US diplomat Dr Richard Haass before Christmas.

"The Irish government has already agreed that Haass represents the best way forward and the US administration has endorsed this in recent weeks," he said.

(IT)