Taoiseach doubtful of breakthrough this week in peace process impasse

On the eve of his departure for Washington , the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said it was going to be difficult to make any major breakthrough on the impasse in the peace process this week. "I think this will take some time further."

It is understood Mr Ahern has made arrangements to have a lengthy conversation with the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, next Monday, following a series of meetings between Northern leaders and President Clinton.

The visit to Washington for St Patrick's Day would afford the opportunity for all of the Northern leaders to engage in discussion. They still hoped to get the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement, he said.

"That will mean that we resolve all the aspects that we have failed to resolve. We must get the institutions up and running as soon as possible and we must also endeavour to deal with the arms issue, another outstanding issue," he said.

Outlining his strategy for dealing with the "guns for government" stalemate which brought down the Northern Ireland executive and the North/South institutions more than a month ago, the Taoiseach stated: "I think we all want to hear from all of the paramilitary groups that the war is over and that there will be no use of arms in the future. We also want to hear that peace and the cease-fires will hold. We have troops and military infrastructure in areas that are particularly difficult. They are part of our discussions. Hopefully, we can reach a conclusion."

He reiterated that they had to find means that would put arms beyond reach "and that is, perhaps, trying to define the difficulties that we have".

The Taoiseach said demilitarisation had to be part of the overall implementation of the Belfast Agreement.

"I have always stated - and this is something that the British government agrees with - as the threat recedes so also should the military structure and the enormous amount of military infrastructure in south Armagh, particularly in areas like Crossmaglen."

There had been no difficulties in Crossmaglen of any substantial nature since the summer of 1994. The people of south Armagh said there were at least as many troops, and possibly higher surveillance, than at any time in peacetime. That was a particular difficulty, he continued.

Asked if demilitarisation was still linked to putting arms beyond use, Mr Ahern responded that demilitarisation was putting arms beyond use, less military presence, taking guns out of Irish politics, getting rid of the tower blocks, closing the detention centres, closing the paramilitary centres and all the other things.

"Decommissioning is part of the Good Friday agreement. It is a more focused issue. I think that in the short term - and this is significant - we have to find a resolution to decommissioning. Of course, in the longer term, it can be linked to overall demilitarisation," he concluded.

As the Taoiseach begins the journey across the international date line, thus ensuring he arrives in Los Angeles ahead of the time he leaves Sydney, Guinness announced yesterday that it will supply A$10,000 worth of Guinness to the ANZAC troops serving in East Timor for St Patrick's Day.

The ANZACs comprise the 40 members of the Irish Rangers and the Australian and New Zealand troops serving under the United Nations banner. It was also confirmed that the Irish Rangers, headed by Lieut. Col Fergus Bushell, have been granted a day off peacekeeping duties for the national holiday.