BELFAST SINN Fein and the SDLP expressed disappointment at the outcome of yesterday's Bruton Major summit in London. Hopes of a pre Christmas IRA ceasefire were "substantially diminished", the SDLP warned.
Mr Reg Empey of the Ulster Unionist Party welcomed the fact that Mr Major appeared to be adhering to appropriate terms for Sinn Fein's entry into multi party talks. He said it was wholly unreasonable for the Tanaiste to suggest that a restoration of the IRA ceasefire before Christmas could bring Sinn Fein to the negotiating table by the end of January.
The Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said the Taoiseach had failed to get a "straight answer" from Mr Major over when the party would be invited to all party talks in the event of a restored IRA ceasefire.
"Hopes that the Irish Government could persuade the British government to take a positive approach to the construction of a credible process of negotiations were not realised," he complained.
Mr Eddie McGrady, the SDLP MP for South Down, said Mr Major could have made a more positive response to the Hume Adams proposals without in any way compromising his position or sacrificing principle.
"From where I stand the UUP has made no meaningful contribution to the peace process over the past two years," said Mr McGrady.
Mr Seamus Close, the Alliance deputy leader, called on Sinn Fein and the IRA to carefully note what Mr Major and Mr Bruton had said in London. "It is clear that both the prime minister and the Taoiseach are singing from the same hymn sheet. The onus clearly falls on Sinn Fein/IRA to fulfil the desires of the vast majority of people and announce a ceasefire," he said.