Governments put new IRA clarification to NI parties

The pro-agreement parties have been considering information about the IRA's position in the peace process passed to them by the…

The pro-agreement parties have been considering information about the IRA's position in the peace process passed to them by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister today.

The information, which was received last night, has been assessed by the governments, and they have sent this information along with their agreed position on the new clarification to the North's pro-Agreement parties.

Mr Ahern said both leaders had "completed what we believe is our position" on the statement.

Mr Ahern said both governments and the parties were now down "to very few issues" and it was important that there was clarity about the position of all sides in the process.

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Mr Blair's official spokesman said London "remained in contact with the parties, and the Irish government and ourselves are talking to them.

But he warned: "I think it will take a bit more time and, as we said yesterday, what we will do is sort out the substance and then decide on any timetable issues thatarise.

"We are at the stage where we need to keep talking to the parties."Asked if it was still possible that Mr Blair might travel to the North this week, the spokesman replied: "Let's just wait and see."

Mr Ahern returned to his office after 10 p.m. yesterday to assess the IRA's response to questions raised by the governments about a confidential statement on its position on the peace process.

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will decide whether enough progress has been made to allow them to publish their proposals aimed at restoring devolution for Northern Ireland.

The IRA is said to have "clarified" its statement, not long after Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble warned time is running out to strike a deal before Stormont elections.

The governments felt the IRA had not made its intentions clear enough on the decommissioning of its weapons, and its long-term commitment to peace. However, both said the IRA's statement was "positive".