Ahern warns coalition on need to resist new British

THE Government has been criticised by Fianna Fail leader Mr Bertie Ahern for not forwarding courtesy copies of the joint consultation paper on all party talks to the opposition, "despite our generally bipartisan approach".

In a lengthy statement on the eve of publication of the British government's proposals for an elective process in the North, Mr Ahern said Fianna Fail had never regarded elections as necessary to negotiations. The complexity of the electoral process envisaged, the purpose of which was obscure, was unlikely to inspire confidence or enthusiasm in many quarters.

The Government would, no doubt, firmly reject any unilateral conditions the British government might lay down "that have not been agreed between the two governments or that are at variance with what has already been agreed" in the joint consultation document.

The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, owed Fianna Fail an explanation of the veto which appeared to have been given to the British government over North South agreements in that paper, according to Mr Ahern. "In my opinion, the accord of the British government should not necessarily be required for the achievement of, sufficient consensus between parties on this island with regard to North/South relations", he added.

Mr Ahern expressed "some dismay" that there was once again no reference to the Framework Document in any of the consultation papers.

"This is clearly not just the fault of the British government,"

the Taoiseach, who clearly lacks any serious commitment to the Framework Document."

Mr Bruton's lukewarm attitude to the Framework Document, with its key proposals for a North/South body with executive powers, was one of the reasons for a serious lack of confidence in his Government among the Northern nationalist community.

He demanded an assurance from the Taoiseach that the Framework Document would be tabled at the outset of all party talks along with the Mitchell report.

The leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney, has asked the Taoiseach to make it clear to Mr John Major that the Government is deeply concerned about the damage which a "hybrid" electoral system could do to the peace process. A British mongrel electoral formula would lead to dog eat dog campaigning.