No re-negotiation on Agreement, insists Durkan

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern held separate meetings with Sinn Fein and the SDLP last night in an effort to bolster the peace process…

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern held separate meetings with Sinn Fein and the SDLP last night in an effort to bolster the peace process.

The Northern Ireland Assembly was plunged into crisis last Saturday after the Ulster Unionist Party threatened to quit the executive if the IRA does not disband by early next year.

After the meeting SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan said his party would play no part in re-negotiating the Agreement.

"During my meeting with Mr Ahern I delivered two clear messages," he said. "First, the SDLP will not re-negotiate the [Belfast] Agreement. As the party that designed the Agreement we will have no part in any attempt to undo it. Anti-Agreement politicians must recognise that.

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"And second, Unionist politicians cannot turn back the clock on policing, the SDLP will not allow that to happen.

"The British Government gave detailed commitments to the SDLP on new legislation at Weston Park and we welcome the fact that John Reid confirmed yesterday that he will deliver on them," he added.

Sinn Fein's Mr Gerry Adams called on the two governments must implement all outstanding parts of the Agreement.

"The Sinn Fein team believe that the Irish Government now face a big challenge to focus the British Government not to be diverted by the Ulster Unionist's anti-Agreement stance," he said.

"Now is the time to ensure that if the Unionists leave the political institutions, as they have indicated, the damage to the accord is kept to a minimum."

PA