Haass hopes for deal in the North

Former US special enjoy Richard Haass has called on the main parties in the North to provide leadership and strike agreement on the contentious issues that still divide the communities.

He said the North must not be forced to choose between peace and justice as one without the other “will not endure”.

Dr Haass was presented with the 2013 Tipperary International Peace Award yesterday in recognition of his efforts as chairman of the multi-party talks which sought to bring resolution last year to the issues of parades, flags, and the past.

A document drafted by Dr Haass and his team was agreed by Sinn Féin and the SDLP, and partially agreed by the Alliance Party, but the UUP and the DUP refused to sign up, bringing an end to his involvement on December 31.

Yesterday, he said he hoped an agreement would be reached but again said he is unlikely to be involved in any formal role and was “honoured” to be presented with the Tipperary award.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Dr Haass. “The idea is out there, the text is out there. Sometimes things take a bit of time.”

Asked if he thought the parties are ready to agree a final move, he said: “Clearly not, because they haven’t. Hopefully the day will come soon when they are ready.” Asked what the next move will take, he said: “Leadership. Plain and simple.”

There were compromises reached on each of the three areas last year, he said.

“But they’re [the parties] going to have to explain and defend,” said Dr Haass.

“In the case of the parties that wouldn’t agree to it, I’ll leave it to them to explain to the public why they couldn’t sign on.”