The Taoiseach has said he will make intensive efforts over the next few weeks to bring about movement on decommissioning before the scheduled transfer of powers to a Northern executive on March 10th.
After discussions with the Northern Secretary at Government Buildings yesterday, Mr Ahern said it was imperative to find a resolution to the problem within the terms of the Belfast Agreement. "The correct way of doing that is under General de Chastelain," he said.
Dr Mo Mowlam echoed the Taoiseach's comments, saying there was "a clear way" in the Agreement to resolve the problem, and insisted there had to be "some form of action on decommissioning" if the process was to advance. Dr Mowlam held talks earlier with the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Iveagh House, where she admitted the implementation of the agreement was going through "a very difficult period".
It would take "imagination, flexibility and just sheer guts to pull this process across the finishing line," she said.
Mr Andrews described the meeting at Iveagh House as "comprehensive" and "focused", and said it had also included discussion on the Drumcree issue.
