Remove apparatus of war, Ferris demands

Sinn Fein will demand a "phased and timetabled" programme of demilitarisation of Northern Irish society during the political talks on the peace process, a North Kerry councillor has said.

Mr Martin Ferris set out his party's negotiating agenda at the annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration in Sallins, Co Kildare, at the weekend, on the eve of the Downing Street discussions.

"The message is clear - Mr Blair must face down his generals and remove the apparatus of war from our country," he said.

Mr Ferris said Sinn Fein was entering the talks with a "strengthened hand" following its recent Northern election success, but he warned party workers not to underestimate political opponents.

He said the party needed to ensure that First Minister Mr David Trimble's refusal to nominate Sinn Fein representatives to All-Ireland bodies was challenged at the talks.

"We want to see legislation amended to remove this veto," he said.

Mr Ferris said legislative changes were needed to ensure "democratic accountability" on policing.

He also called for action to increase the stability of Northern political institutions, following the then Northern Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson's suspension of the institutions last year.

"We need the removal of legislation which allows the British to unilaterally suspend the institutions, to ensure that the situation of last year can never be repeated," he said. Sinn Fein's demands could only be achieved through a return to the Belfast Agreement.

"It is the only template upon which we can move forward. It is the only context in which the issue of arms can be dealt with to ensure that all guns are taken out of Irish politics," he said.

"Irrespective of who is part of the UUP negotiations team or irrespective of what parties are in attendance, the primary responsibility for saving the peace process and saving the Good Friday agreement rests with British Prime Minister Tony Blair."

Following the rejection of the Nice Treaty, Sinn Fein was opposed to a second vote on it in the Republic, Mr Ferris said.