SF still hopeful of peace breakthrough
Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has said that the republican movement is still hopeful that the Good Friday Agreement can be saved today during make-or-break talks in Weston Park in Britain.
Mr McGuinness said Sinn Fein put forward a package of proposals on policing and demilitarisation last night and is hopeful of a positive response this morning.
‘We are going back this morning to see whether or not the British Government are at long last going to face up to the arguments that have been put to them in relation to their failure to defend the Good Friday Agreement,’ he said.
‘Thus far, the British Government’s response clearly falls short of what is required.’
Meanwhile, SDLP leader John Hume has said the onus is on the IRA to break the current deadlock. Mr Hume said an IRA move on arms would allow all the other elements of the agreement to fall into place.
Arriving at Weston Park this morning, he said: ‘If the paramilitary organisations were to meet General de Chastelain and demonstrate very clear to him that the weapons were beyond use, that would be a very major step.
"It would break down the barriers, develop the atmosphere very powerfully and very strongly and ensure the implementation of all aspects of the agreement.’
