The British and Irish governments would present a "fair and reasonable" political package to overcome obstacles to peace in Northern Ireland, the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, insisted yesterday.
Speaking during prime minister's questions in the Commons, Mr Blair said both governments believed the package, which will be put to pro-agreement parties within two weeks, would deal with all outstanding issues.
"I do believe there is a chance of resolving this and implementing the Good Friday agreement in full, which is what everyone wishes to see. We need only look at the Middle East peace process to see what happens when we stop moving forward on these processes," he said.
Earlier, the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, insisted police officers in Northern Ireland must be able to protect themselves by using a weapon.
He told MPs during Northern Ireland questions that he wanted to see a situation where police did not have to use plastic bullets. But when officers were faced night after night with petrol-bombs, acid-bombs and live fire, it was necessary for them to have adequate resources to defend themselves.
His comments came after the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission called for a ban on the use of plastic bullets.
An Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Roy Beggs, criticised Prof Brice Dickson, the head of the NIHRC, insisting that he should resign over his "do-gooder, naive" call for a ban on plastic bullets. Mr Beggs said police officers had made limited use of the weapon to uphold the decisions of the Parades Commission and Prof Dickson "should be asked to withdraw that ridiculous statement and he should resign".
Dr Reid also told MPs that the opening up of IRA weapons dumps for inspection offered some progress on the arms issue, but he said all elements of the Belfast Agreement must be fully implemented to ensure lasting peace in Northern Ireland. "We need more progress. We need arms to be actually put beyond use", he said.