Adams warns of peace-process difficulties

The problems in the Northern Ireland peace process are wider than the two governments admit, Mr Gerry Adams said today.

The problems in the Northern Ireland peace process are wider than the two governments admit, Mr Gerry Adams said today.

As he prepared to leave Dublin for his annual St Patrick's week tour of North America, the Sinn Féin president welcomed British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach's commitment to step up the pace of talks to restore devolution.

But the West Belfast MP said: "The difficulties in the process go beyond the problems of paramilitarism and the unionists' commitment to inclusive government as claimed by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister.

"These are important matters and Sinn Féin will continue to work to see them resolved. But we are also very conscious of the refusal of the Governments to deliver on their obligations and of the effect that this has on the overall process.

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"People should not underestimate the lack of confidence amongst republicans about the Governments' commitment to the Good Friday Agreement at this time," Mr Adams.

Sinn Féin has in recent months accused Dublin and London of putting on hold a series of commitments on policing, the scaling down of the British army presence in Northern Ireland, the return of on-the-run paramilitaries, human rights, equality and cross-border institutions.

PA