The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are to hold talks in Northern Ireland tomorrow with pro-Belfast Agreement parties in a bid to break the deadlock in the peace process.
|
|
The Taoiseach is considering round-table talks with Mr Blair
|
Mr Blair was expected to fly out to Belfast tonight or early tomorrow for the talks at Hillsborough Castle, after days of intense negotiations.
The Taoiseach's planned visit to Japan has been postponed for 24 hours. A spokeswoman from the Taoiseach's office said, pending the outcome of the talks, the visit will reviewed again tomorrow.The talks are expected to begin with separate sessions involving Mr Blair and Mr Ahern and party leaders before progressing to the round-table talks Mr Blair has said he wants to "inject momentum" into the process.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: "Initially there will be bilateral talks and we hope to progress to a round table.
"There is a real determination to make progress on the outstanding difficulties but everyone recognises there is no guarantee of outcome."
No 10's caution reflects the fact that the talks have been agreed only after days of intense negotiation, with Irish officials travelling to London earlier this week to try to map a way ahead with Downing Street Chief of Staff Jonathan Powell and other officials.
SDLP deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon warned the talks would only be effective if they are conducted in an inclusive manner.
"In a process such as this, it is imperative that the two governments operate in a manner which is fair to all, balanced and impartial and which engenders trust.
"I expect the two governments to approach Thursday's meetings and any subsequent meetings with the openness, impartiality and balance essential to build confidence and to generate an agreed outcome.
"Caucus-type negotiation would simply perpetuate the uncertainty, distrust and instability which have bedevilled the political process so far," he said.
Sinn Fein minister Mr Martin McGuinness warned Mr Blair not to come until after the general election unless he intended to announce the implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
Ulster Democratic Party leader Mr Gary McMichael was sceptical about the talks, saying smaller pro-Agreement parties had been excluded from negotiations in recent years as the UUP, SDLP, Sinn Fein and the two governments "presided over the current impasse".
PA