Hume says dialogue the key to resolving peace deadlock

SDLP leader Mr John Hume today said the current deadlock in Northern Ireland’s peace process could be overcome by dialogue among all the main players.

Mr Ahern broke off his holiday to discuss the stalemate in the Northern peace process with Mr John Hume.

"If we concentrate our minds on outstanding matters we can resolve them and we can only resolve them through direct dialogue between the two governments and the pro-Agreement parties," he told the

BBC

.

Mr Hume was speaking after talks in Dublin with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern - who broke from his holiday in Kerry to attend the meeting - which came about following the IRA's decision last Tuesday to withdraw its offer to put weapons beyond use in response to the Northern Secretary's decision to suspend the Northern institutions for one day.

Mr Hume also called on Sinn Féin to make clear whether the three Irishmen being held in Colombia were members of the republican movement.

With unionists now doubting the validity of the IRA's ceasefire, he said it was incumbent on Sinn Féin to make a statement about the activities of Mr James Monaghan, Mr Martin McCauley and Mr Niall Connolly.

Mr Hume said: "Given the speculation that is going on at the minute about the relationships of these three people, Sinn Féin should come out and make clear what the facts are.

"There is no doubt that the public are entitled to know what the facts are, given the damage that this publicity is doing to our situation".

With Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid due to publish the policing implementation plan tomorrow, Mr Hume said he had discussed the reforms in depth with Mr Ahern.

The SDLP has yet to say whether it will join the new Policing Board or recommend to young Catholics to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Mr Hume said the SDLP would make its decision following further consultation with party members after the implementation plan was released.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Irelandprogramme, Mr Hume called for the IRA "to restore immediately its contact with General de Chastelain and its commitment to a scheme for resolving the decommissioning issue and the implementation of that scheme as soon as possible.

"It is common sense for the IRA to deal directly with General de Chastelain and his commission and I hope that they will restore as soon as possible with him not only their meetings and their contact, but their scheme to demonstrate very clearly that the weapons are put beyond use," he said.

Additional reporting PA