The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, has emphasised that Sinn Fein's re-entry to talks on March 9th is "crucially" dependent on the IRA ceasefire holding. Any breaking of ceasefires by paramilitaries linked to parties would mean permanent exclusion, she stated.
The party's return to the process was subject to "convincing demonstration in word and deed that a complete, unqualified and unequivocal IRA ceasefire is being fully and continuously observed", she said at Stormont yesterday.
This would be the last chance for Sinn Fein and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) which is being allowed back to the talks on Monday after a four-week suspension. Further violence from the IRA or the UDP's paramilitary wing, the UDA, would mean the permanent expulsion of Sinn Fein and the UDP.
She indicated that a similar expulsion would apply to the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) if the UVF, to which it is linked, broke its ceasefire - notwithstanding that there have been no indictments against the PUP.
"It applies to both those parties and any others with links outside with groups. If they commit another act of violence then I am afraid there are no more chances," Dr Mowlam warned.
During the 17-day expulsion the British and Irish governments would maintain contact with Sinn Fein. She could not say if the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, would respond to the Sinn Fein president's request for a meeting.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, had agreed to meet Mr Adams soon.
Dr Mowlam said the governments were committed to hold joint referendums on May 7th, and if this were to be achieved a settlement must be in place within six weeks.