The Alliance Party, in publishing a six-step programme designed to break the political deadlock, has urged republican and loyalist paramilitaries to make it clear that they have renounced violence.
The Alliance leader, Mr Sean Neeson, yesterday presented the British and Irish governments, the United States administration and Gen John de Chastelain's decommissioning body with a formula he believes could pave the way for the reinstatement of the political institutions.
Mr Neeson said it was up to the British and Irish governments to "stop the drift" in the political process. "I strongly believe our proposals could form the basis for bringing about the necessary progress," he added.
Alliance's six-point plan is:
Pro-Belfast Agreement parties collectively restating their commitment to the full implementation of the agreement.
Republican and loyalist paramilitaries clearly stating they have renounced violence.
Further "normalisation" of the British security presence in Northern Ireland.
Republican and loyalist paramilitaries providing details of their arsenals and timetables for disarmament to the decommissioning body, and the IRA possibly reinstating the unspecified commitments on putting arms beyond use made to Gen de Chastelain before the institutions were suspended.
The parties collectively agreeing to a meeting of the executive; "the first acts of decommissioning occurring on a fixed date to be determined"; Peter Mandelson rescinding his order suspending the institutions.
The executive reconvening on a day of reconciliation which would also see the first acts of republican and loyalist paramilitary decommissioning. Further progress on weapons with decommissioning body.
"We believe that a series of sequenced steps can build the necessary mutual trust and confidence," Mr Neeson said at Stormont yesterday where he published the Alliance plan.
Mr Neeson called for the pro-agreement parties to meet but was against the idea of a new detailed review because it would be "long and acrimonious". He hoped that some progress could be made when Northern politicians travelled to Washington for the St Patrick's Day celebrations.
The former Ulster Unionist Party minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey, said his party would examine the Alliance proposals. He called on the Northern Secretary to convene round-table talks as soon as possible.
The Sinn Fein MLA, Mr Conor Murphy, also said SF would consider the Alliance proposals. He welcomed the initiative because it indicated "that other parties now accepted that it's a collective responsibility for dealing with all of this". The onus, however, should be on Mr Mandelson reestablishing the institutions.
