Proposals for breaking the deadlock in the North insist that paramilitary decommissioning is an "indispensable part" of the peace process. No deadline was set for disarmament.
The two Governments handed the make-or-break document over to the North's politicians just after 10am this morning. It deals with four issues: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and decommissioning.
The Northern Secretary said that the proposals "will not satisfy everyone in all parties, but they represent our view of a viable way forward". Dr John Reid said that it was a "time for cool heads" and that it would be a "tragedy" if the parties rejected the package.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, said that the proposals were "for the benefit of everybody". Mr Cowen called on politicians not to rush their judgement of the document.
Summary of the proposals
- The timetable for the introduction of new policing measures will be revised. This includes the setting up of a new police board by the end of next month. A review will commence by March 2002.
- A special police fund will be set up to assist families of officers killed by terrorists.
- Troop numbers will be reduced and military surveillance towers in South Armagh will be demolished.
- The Parades Commission, which adjudicates on disputed parades in Northern Ireland, will be reviewed.
- An international judge will be appointed to carry out investigations into alleged collusion in a number of murders between police on both sides of the Irish border and Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries.
- Paramilitaries on the run will be able to return home without the threat of facing charges.
