The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, has called for a positive response from all the pro-agreement parties to Saturday's IRA statement that it will completely and verifiably put its arms beyond use.
Mr Hume urged Mr David Trimble and his Ulster Unionist Party to accept the statement as a major breakthrough and proof of a general nationalist view that the status of Northern Ireland could only be changed by a democratic majority vote of the people. "They've got a statement from the IRA making clear that their guns have been put beyond use and that the gun has been taken out of Irish politics. It's all very positive and I want to see a positive response now from all parties," he said.
Mr Hume praised Mr Trimble's leadership. "He has been instrumental in achieving a lot for the unionist people. He has been instrumental in achieving an agreement that respects the identity of the unionist people, that gives no victory to either side," he added.
"He has received an agreement whereby the whole of nationalist Ireland is now accepting the principle of consent, which is something that has been central to the unionists." The SDLP leader hoped that institutions would be restored, as proposed, on May 22nd. "The fact that all of us were working together when the Executive was up and running had a very big impact, so the sooner we get the executive back in place the better."
The Alliance leader, Mr Sean Neeson, said he was pleased that there was now a timetable to restore the institutions. "I believe the IRA statement is very significant and clearly puts the responsibility for arms into the hands of Gen de Chastelain and his commission. It would also be very beneficial if the loyalist paramilitaries would reciprocate the IRA statement," he said.
Mr Neeson urged Mr Trimble to accept the new proposals. He added that Alliance would support some "minor concessions" on the Patten report of police reform if that would facilitate Mr Trimble in selling the deal to his Ulster Unionist Council.
Ms Monica McWilliams said the proposals adopted by the British and Irish governments demonstrated that the peace and political processes were working. She welcomed the positive movement towards the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
However, she said it was still important that all the pro-agreement parties, and not just Sinn Fein, the UUP and SDLP, were central to developments. "We are hopeful that the prime protagonists are moving closer together on the issue of the formation of a government, but it is essential that we continue to maintain the integrity of all pro-agreement parties," added Ms McWilliams.
Mr Tom French, president of the Workers' Party, said the IRA statement was a "progressive move that will allow the democratic institutions of government to be reinstated". The momentum achieved in recent days must not now be lost and the top priority should be on fully implementing the Belfast Agreement, he added.
