Weekend events are expected to create a charged atmosphere at Stormont today as the British and Irish governments gather with the political parties to try and inject fresh momentum into the hitherto unproductive talks process. The start of a vital three-day plenary talks review at Stormont has been overshadowed by controversy at the weekend over the invitation of Mr Gerry Adams to 10 Downing Street, and remarks about future North-South structures by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews.
With general political acknowledgement that the talks have so far been unfruitful and badly focused, much is hinging on these three days of talks bringing positive direction to the process. The dispute over the Adams invitation and Mr Andrews's comments, however, is serving to ensure that today's session will open in an atmosphere of some friction and recrimination.
A Government spokesman said it was crucial the three-day review should help the talks step up a number of gears. "It is important that we start getting down to negotiating compromises and texts," he added.
Mr Nigel Dodds, secretary of the DUP, said Mr Andrews's remarks proved that Dublin had learned nothing over the past 25 years. They further called into question Mr Trimble's judgement in remaining at the talks
Mr Trimble was also critical of the decision to invite Mr Adams, although less perturbed than some of his colleagues. "All Mr Blair will be doing is damaging himself in the eyes of right-thinking people, not just in Northern Ireland but elsewhere. But it is his decision, I don't propose to get excited by it," he said.
Mr Adams was dismissive of the criticism. "Sinn Fein is meeting with a range of political leaders, as is our right, while the unionists refuse to talk. Perhaps they are concerned that their refusal to talk is being exposed," he said.
Speaking following a conference on republican prisoners in west Belfast yesterday, he said if paramilitary prisoners were not freed there could be no political settlement. "You cannot have a settlement while there are prisoners," he insisted.
Asked if he would refuse to sign a settlement if prisoners were not released, he replied: "Well, not only would we not do that, but I would be very, very surprised if the SDLP or the Irish Government would do it either."
