Blair warns of North’s moment of truth as talks begin

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair last night warned it was the North’s “moment of truth” as he and the Taoiseach launched a frantic last-ditch diplomatic effort to restore power-sharing.

Bertie Ahern backed up Mr Blair’s cautious optimism of brokering a “last chance” deal as intensive talks opened at the St Andrews summit in Scotland.

The British PM insisted it was a “one off” opportunity devolve power and secure the peace process: “It’s time to get the business done. I believe the political will is there to do it. The discussions in the coming hours will decide. It is enormously important that we have some sense, that this is really the moment to decide.”

With everything depending on Sinn Féin accepting civil policing in exchange for the DUP forming a cross-community Executive with them, Ian Paisley arrived at the talks in belligerent mood. He said republicans must not just support policing, but the IRA has to hand back its “ill-gotten gains” from criminality.

The Northern party leaders each made brief opening statements yesterday, and the two premiers then held talks as a pair with individual delegations.

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair will focus on policing at today’s session, while foreign minister Dermot Ahern and Northern Secretary Peter Hain will deal with matters related to the devolution of justice, parades, equality, human rights and changes to Stormont rules.

Friday’s talks will cover matters surrounding the past and victims of the Troubles. No conclusive deal will be made at St Andrews as the DUP has made it clear it will consult with grass roots activists before deciding its next move, but Dublin and London hope the meeting will produce a blueprint for a devolved settlement before the November 24 deadline to shut down Stormont.

Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness emerged from the first round of talks to explicitly link the DUP agreeing to power-sharing with republicans embracing policing.

“I would like to hear Ian Paisley say that he is ready to go into Government with the Sinn Féin leadership. I would like to hear Ian Paisley face up to reality on the issue of policing that the issue of policing has as much to do with him as it has to do with the Sinn Féin leadership.” he said.