North parties gear up for unveiling of blueprint

Final talks are continuing behind the scenes today ahead of tomorrow's unveiling of a blueprint for the implementation of the Belfast Agreement by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister.

Mr Ahern and Mr Tony Blair, fresh from their meetings with US President George W. Bush at Hillsborough Castle yesterday, will return to the scene to deliver their joint plan tomorrow.

The three leaders issued a joint declaration yesterday calling for "acts of completion" in order for a deal to be struck. They particularly called on the IRA to decommission its arsenal, saying the break with paramilitary violence "must be complete and irrevocable".

While insisting that no deal has been struck yet, the Irish and British government are hopeful the plan will be accepted by all six pro-Agreement parties, thus opening the way for devolution to be restored.

Mr Ahern said yesterday that the document offered "an unprecedented opportunity to finish the job" begun with the signing of the Belfast Agreement, which took place exactly five years ago tomorrow.

He conceded, however, that there are "still issues of tension with a number of parties".

Sinn Féin are understood to be insistent that they will not accept the prospect of sanctions for any future IRA indiscretions, and are also seeking amendments to certain proposals on policing, demilitarisation and amnesty for fugitive terror suspects.

On the other hand, the Ulster Unionists insist there can be no deal unless the IRA declares that its war is over and puts its weapons verifiably beyond use.