Nationalist criticism of the handling by the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, of the policing issue continued over the weekend. The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, again warned that failure to implement fully the Patten proposals on police reform would threaten the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Adams, following on a similar warning from the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, described Mr Mandel son's and the British government's approach to policing as disastrous.
While unionists, and in particular Mr David Burnside, the UUP candidate in next Thursday's South Antrim by-election, demand the significant dilution of Patten, the SDLP and Sinn Fein insist that the Patten proposals must be enacted in full.
"Failure to produce a civic policing service acceptable to nationalists and republicans will seriously subvert confidence in the integrity and credibility of the peace process," Mr Adams said in Dublin on Saturday.
He again implied that the party would urge republicans to join the proposed Police Service of Northern Ireland if the Patten proposals were implemented.
Mr Adams said a policing service could still be created that reflected the goals of the Belfast Agreement and was supported by the whole community. "That is our goal. Sinn Fein has and is working hard to ensure that there is a new policing service. We have been doing this because one logical outcome of the peace process, if it is to be successful, must be a policing service which republicans can join and encourage others to join," he said.
Mr Adams conceded that some improvements had been made to the Police Bill. This was a reflection of the "widespread criticism it attracted from across nationalist opinion in Ireland, as well as in the United States".
Mr Adams in particular complained that the issue of the name of the new force, and whether the RUC title would be incorporated in it in some form, was still not resolved. Moreover, he added, excessive powers were given to Mr Mandelson in the Bill which did not correspond with Patten.
"This could harm the independence of the Policing Board, which Patten saw as essential. This needs amendment so that responsibility and power are centred on the board, the chief tool of democratic accountability," Mr Adams said.
Meanwhile, campaigning for the South Antrim Westminster by-election has stepped up. There was extensive canvassing by the candidates at the weekend, particularly by the main contenders, Mr Burnside and his DUP rival, the Rev William McCrea.
There is general consensus that the result is too close to call. The outcome could hinge on whether unionists vote on a pro- and anti-Belfast Agreement basis, which could favour Mr McCrea, or whether Ulster Unionists put aside their differences on the agreement and maintain party loyalty in favour of Mr Burnside.
