Bruton hopes to fix shape of `proximity talks' soon

THE Taoiseach hopes to arrange the structures for "proximity talks" with the British Prime Minister in advance of their Anglo Irish summit in London late next week.

Opening a two day Dail debate's on the breakdown of the IRA "ceasefire, Mr Bruton confirmed that proximity talks, followed by a broadly acceptable electoral" process leading directly to all party negotiations, were being considered by the two governments.

He also announced that the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and himself were willing to authorise the first face to face meeting between Sinn Fein leaders and Government officials since last Friday's bombing.

Meanwhile, Anglo Irish officials have postponed their intended meeting today because of "diary problems". The meeting of the Anglo Irish liaison group will be held in London tomorrow to conduct the preparatory work for the summit.

Mr Bruton, Mr Spring and the Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, presented their political and security assessments of the resumption of violence at an hour long Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Government sources confirmed that no conclusions were reached, on whether the IRA bombing was "a once off" event or on the state of Mr Adams's prior knowledge about the ending of the ceasefire.

The Cabinet was told, however, there was no evidence to suggest that the explosives used in the Canary Wharf bombing originated in this jurisdiction.

The issues that would be considered by the two governments, Mr Bruton told the Dail, would include the creation of a way forward that Sinn Fein could honourably join, and into which it would be accepted by the other participants, once the IRA campaign was over.

They would also consider whether, and how, an elective process, which was broadly acceptable and fully within the three strand structure, and which followed from proximity talks, might lead directly and speedily, without equivocation, to all party talks.

They would examine the way in which proximity talks, which would enable the two governments to clear up doubts and misunderstandings in the minds of the participants about all proposals, could be helpful. These talks would enable them to be clear, in advance, about how the principles and modalities of the Mitchell report would fit into any elective process/all party negotiations proposal.

"This could deal with the real danger that because of lack of proper procedural understanding, an impasse over decommissioning could unexpectedly paralyse negotiations at any stage," Mr Bruton said.

The preparatory work for their meeting also had to take on board the proposal from the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, for referendums North and South, and how best to avail of President Clinton's offer of support for the restoration of the ceasefire.

The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, said the IRA, if it continued down its present path, would infallibly destroy the current peace process "which was one of the most notable endeavours created in Ireland this century, and the nationalist consensus on which it was based".

In his best speech since he became leader, for which he was applauded and thanked by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern told the Government it would have Fianna Fail support in any contact with Sinn Fein they judge appropriate. They should not feel inhibited by fear of criticism from this party.

This morning the Tanaiste will meet Dr Marjorie Mowlam, the British Labour Party spokeswoman on Northern Ireland affairs, at Government Buildings.

Con or O'Clery reports from Washington The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, yesterday made clear that before negotiations with Sinn Fein in any peace convention in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein would have to meet standards satisfactory to the unionists.

If there was a new IRA cease fire, "it would help if they started off by saying yes, we intend this ceasefire to be permanent" he told a breakfast organised by the British embassy in Washington.

He said the extent to which Sinn Fein would be involved in negotiations "depends on the extent to which they are involved in violence."

Mr Trimble argued that Sinn Fein would be able to enter negotiations in the convention he envisages if it took its seats. There would be "decommissioning running alongside the operation of a convention in which there will be substantive negotiations", he said. He envisaged "substantial negotiation" without prior decommissioning.