Adams says aim is to assure UUP

Sinn Fein and the SDLP appear to have accepted the proposals to overcome the deadlock over decommissioning which emerged on Friday…

Sinn Fein and the SDLP appear to have accepted the proposals to overcome the deadlock over decommissioning which emerged on Friday following 10 hours of negotiations chaired by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair. The proposals commit Sinn Fein to work towards the total disarmament of paramilitary organisations by the May 2000 deadline, with a pivotal role for the Independent Commission on Decommissioning, chaired by Gen de Chastelain, also said to be included.

Commenting on the negotiations, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said the context of the proposals was an attempt "to empower Tony Blair to create a context in which Mr Trimble could be assured". In Dublin to consult with party members, Mr Adams described as "absolute nonsense" a report in Saturday's edition of The Irish Times which said he would complete a deal on decommissioning if there was 70 per cent support within his party for such a move.

"I think that story is absolute nonsense. I'm actually surprised that a journalist working for that paper would build an entire article around totally anonymous sources," he said.

Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party said he welcomed the deadline which he thought would re-focus minds. "I think it is a chance to move the situation forward."

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He said it provided an opportunity to break the deadlock but should not be "hyped out of all proportion". Mr Ervine added: "We have got a deadline which is being imposed, which is probably good news and wise, given that it seemed that we would parade through this style of discussion and debate forever."

Meanwhile, the anti-agreement UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney, yesterday challenged Mr Trimble to explain his position on the current proposals.

"It is clear that David Trimble was personally prepared to accept proposals which would have enabled Sinn Fein/IRA to enter a shadow government without doing anything other than making a verbal promise," said Mr McCartney, who is a candidate in the European elections in the North.