Ahern meeting with Paisley 'a success'

THE historic meeting between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Ian Paisley yesterday was hailed as a success as both sides made it clear it was time for paramilitaries to get rid of the guns.

While the break-the-ice meeting with the DUP at the Irish Embassy in London was described as constructive and amicable, Dr Paisley's party remains opposed to entering direct negotiations with the Government.

The big issue for the upcoming review of the Good Friday Agreement is taking guns out of the hands of terrorists, Dr Paisley told Mr Ahern.