Taoiseach and Blair fail to find decommissioning formula
Wednesday, 24 March 1999 13:35
The Taoiseach has said that a formula for breaking the deadlock over arms decommissioning has not yet been found. Mr. Ahern was speaking after an hour of talks in Berlin with the British Prime Minister. He also expressed concern at the hard-line positions on the issue being adopted by Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionists which he said had not changed much since last October.
After considering the outcome of their individual contacts with the parties involved, Mr Ahern said that there was not much movement to be seen. Mr. Blair and Mr. Ahern are expected to travel to Belfast next week for crucial talks with the parties there.
However, the Taoiseach said that he would want to see indications from them that they are prepared to enter into real dialogue. He said that there was not much that either he or the parties could do, if the parties remained determined not to move on.
The Taoiseach was also asked if he had received any assurances from Mr. Blair about the role of the Chief Constable of Kent, David Philips in the investigation into the murder of Lurgan solicitor, Rosemary Nelson. Mr. Blair had been adamant that Mr Philip's role would not simply be a co-ordinating one, but that Mr. Philip and his team would be conducting the investigation.
The Taoiseach said that he hoped his report would go directly to the DPP. Mr. Ahern and Mr. Blair will meet again in the course of the EU summit, which opens in Berlin this morning.
