President George W. Bush has urged Northern Ireland's political leaders to grasp a major new chance to restore devolved government.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday revealed their proposals to end the impasse.
White House statement
They set November 24th as the deadline for restoring devolution, warning that if this proposal failed they would collapse the Assembly, cancel members' salaries and strengthen North-South co-operation.
They have recalled the Assembly for May 15th, but prior to the November deadline they gave the politicians six weeks from May to late June to elect a new Executive.
However, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair acknowledged yesterday that this plan was virtually certain to fail.
The White House urged all sides to use the opportunity to bring the political process to a successful completion this year.
"President Bush calls on all parties to demonstrate leadership and seize this opportunity to work together to restore the power-sharing government and resolve outstanding issues,"
a White House statement said.
"In particular, we urge full support for civilian policing throughout Northern Ireland and an unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and the renunciation of all paramilitary and criminal activities.
"We remain steadfast in our support of the peace process and the efforts of the British and Irish governments to achieve a lasting peace under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement."