Sinn Féin plays down deal

SINN Féin yesterday played down the prospect of a deal to restore devolution before an Assembly election and criticised those focusing on making demands of republicans.

Just hours after Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble claimed the IRA had a week to declare an end to paramilitary activity, Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness criticised the focus on republicans.

After a meeting of Sinn Féin's officer board in Omagh, the Mid Ulster MP said: "Our discussions with the two governments and the UUP have focused on the need to secure firm commitments guarantees on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the sustainability of the institutions.

"The rejection by the two governments of substantive initiatives earlier this year from the IRA, and then by the Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, and the decision of British Prime Minster Tony Blair to twice cancel elections, inflicted enormous damage.

"There is enormous resentment among republicans and nationalists at the behaviour of the British government, and the constant, singular and unwarranted focus by it on blaming republicans, as evidenced by Paul Murphy's comments at the British Labour Party conference."

Mr McGuinness was speaking as the Ulster Unionist Party met in Belfast to consider its formal response to the British and Irish Government's plan to restore devolution and fully implement the Good Friday Agreement.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr Blair are due to review efforts to restore devolution at a meeting in Rome today.

Speaking ahead of the Rome meeting, nationalist SDLP chairman Alex Attwood urged the governments to put it to all sides in the Northern to deliver on their commitments.

"A clear and loud message must come back from Rome that there is no wriggle-room on an end to paramilitarism or a commitment to the institutions of the Agreement.

"The merry-go-round must end, the election must be called. Politics cannot be further devalued by any further delay or any further doubt about IRA or Ulster Unionist intentions.The governments need to call this now and an election on the November 13 must be announced," he said.