Bertie Ahern, 'vote could contribute to united Ireland'
Martin McGuinness, 'Trimble is planning for failure'
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said that he is confident decommissioning will come about after a devolved government is formed in the North. Speaking on RTÉ, Mr Ahern said that yesterday's vote in favour of the Mitchell review by the Ulster Unionist Council could even contribute to a united Ireland. Mr Ahern said that the vote was a considerable political success for David Trimble. He added that from next week when the Executive is appointed Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, which claim sovereignty over the North, would disappear forever. But in the North, the Northern Ireland Unionist Party said that the vast majority of Unionists were sickened and angry at the sell-out of democracy and the rule of law to murderers and terrorists.
Sinn Féin's Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness has said that he is disappointed because he feels that the Ulster Unionist party leader, David Trimble, is planning for failure instead of success in the peace process. Mr McGuinness was referring to the decision by Mr Trimble to resign in the event of the IRA failing to decommission by February. In a television interview, Mr McGuinness was asked how he viewed his own likely appointment to the Northern Executive tomorrow. He said that it was a very serious responsibility and a serious step for him as an Irish Republican. He said that he was still committed to achieving a united Ireland and that it was achievable in his lifetime.
While the North's political parties are preparing for the start tomorrow of the devolution process, the question about Seamus Mallon's reinstatement as Deputy First Minister in the devolved Assembly remains. Mr Mallon said that he was aware that there was a motion on the table from the Alliance Party, but that he would have to wait to see what was procedurally proposed tomorrow.
The Assembly will meet tomorrow to nominate the ten ministers likely to form the Executive to run a devolved government. Legislation will then pass through Westminster on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the new administration will be up and running once powers are transferred from London to Belfast for the first time since l974.
The Northern Secretary, Peter Mandelson said that he was confident the IRA would appoint a representative to the arms body and he expected serious discussions on weapons hand over to begin this week. He said that he believed that the Sinn Féin leaders were forward-looking politicians who had worked hard on the political strategy and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
