SF issues challenge to Paisley

THE Reverend Ian Paisley was challenged by Sinn Féin yesterday to prove whether he was a man of his word.

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness threw down the gauntlet to the Democratic Unionist Party leader as he met Northern Secretary Peter Hain and Foreign Affairs minister Dermot Ahern for discussions which the DUP is boycotting.

Speaking outside Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, Mr McGuinness said he wanted Mr Paisley to show whether he would stand by his word and enter government with Sinn Féin now that the IRA had decommissioned its weapons.

He accused Mr Paisley of betraying his own electorate and failing to show the new confident face of Unionism he promised following the last Westminster Election.

Mr McGuinness said: "For almost nine months of the last year the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern spent many long hours trying to convince Gerry Adams and myself that Ian Paisley would go into government with Sinn Féin if only the issue of arms could be resolved."

He said they had emphasised "Ian Paisley told them that the only issue that he was concerned about was the issue of arms if that could be resolved he was prepared to go into government with Sinn Féin.

"Ian Paisley tells us he is a man of god, I would like to know whether he is a man of his word."

He said Irish republicans had "delivered big time" by resolving the arms issue.

The DUP's Ian Paisley later Jr hit back claiming: "Martin McGuiness wouldn't know the truth if it slapped him in the face."

He added: "His statement that Ian Paisley must now enter government and be a 'man of his word' is contemptible given that Martin McGuinness could hide behind a corkscrew he is so twisted.

"The fact is no such undertaking was ever given and more importantly there is no convincing evidence that all of the IRA's guns have been decommissioned.

"Can McGuiness now tell us what was decommissioned and how it was put beyond use?"

Peter Hain played down expectations over the talks describing them as "stock-taking, ground-clearing discussions."

He said they would not automatically lead on to political negotiations and made it clear he was not condemning the DUP for staying away.

Mr Ahern said he welcomed the opportunity to meet the parties this week and next adding: "Hopefully in the new year we can get down to more serious discussions."