SDLP deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon warned today the North's peace process was in "very big trouble" and said the outstanding issues surrounding the Belfast Agreement needed to be sorted out.
Emerging from talks in Downing Street shortly after 4 p.m. partyleader Mr John Hume said that they had made clear to Mr Ahern and MrBlair their desire to see "full and substantial implementation" ofall aspects of the agreement.
Mr Hume said: "We made very clear our position on all of the issues.We want to see full and absolute implementation of the Patten reporton the policing, full and absolute implementation of decommissioningand full and absolute implementation of demilitarisation.
"We want both governments to be absolutely positive on all of thesefronts."
He said there was "no reason whatsoever" why paramilitary groupscould not make clear their weapons were completely beyond use.
Mr Mallon stressed that this was just the first in a series ofmeetings to discuss the issues.
He said: "But we took the opportunity to say very clearly andhonestly to the two governments that they must work together, knowexactly what they are doing and what their objectives are and how toachieve them. I hope they will do that this time."
The peace process was in "very big trouble", he said.
Earlier this afternoon Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said today’s meeting with the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minster was an opportunity for theBritish government to say that it was "fully delivering" on theBelfast Agreement.
Mr Adams was speaking to reporters as he arrived in Downing Streetthis afternoon.
He said: "This is the way that history is made. Coming to meetings,back and forth, tedious and slow and arduous.
"We are pleased to hear that the British government have said thatthe Good Friday Agreement is not up for re-negotiation.
"I don't really know whether to believe them or not given the outworkings of the last number of years.
"But this is what it's about. It's about Mr Blair facing up to hisresponsibilities."
PA