Talks between the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and Mr Gerry Adams, aimed at ending the current political impasse, broke up without agreement yesterday. Speaking after the 30-minute meeting at Stormont, both leaders said there had been no breakthrough, and they blamed each other for intransigence.
Mr Trimble said he was disappointed there had been no "serious exchange". He did not expect any progress ahead of next week's European election.
Mr Trimble said: "Sinn Fein is more interested in trying to distract attention away from the gruesome scenes presented to us each day in the search for the bodies of the disappeared."
Mr Adams denied that, but expressed disappointment at the situation in recovering the bodies. He described his meeting with Mr Trimble as disappointing, and claimed the UUP leader had no intention of setting up an executive.
Mr Trimble arrives in Israel today on a short visit during which he will meet the President, Mr Ezer Weizman. He also hopes to meet the Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat.