Leaders meet to give peace talks shot in the arm

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern said he is confident the deadlock in the North’s peace process can be broken as US president George Bush flies into Belfast today to give the talks an added boost.

While the dominant issue in the talks will be the war in Iraq and the MidEast peace process, British Prime Minister Tony Blair along with Mr Bush and Mr Ahern will focus on a new initiative aimed at getting the North's executive back on track The three leaders will also meet with representatives of all the pro-agreement parties in a bid to agree a framework for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by Thursday the fifth anniversary of the signing of the historic deal.

But the success will hinge on the willingness of the IRA to finally give up violence and decommission its weapons before the end of the month. In return, Sinn Féin are demanding major reform of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI); a reduction in British troops and concessions for prisoners.