‘Republicans have moved on arms’ - Sinn Fein

The British and Irish Governments must match republican efforts to enhance the Good Friday Agreement by delivering more on police reform, demilitarisation, justice and equality issues, Sinn Fein claimed tonight.

As officials in London and Dublin worked on measures to secure stable government for Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin insisted republicans had moved on the weapons issue despite claims from rival nationalists and unionists there had been no shift.

Before addressing the Friends of Ireland group at Westminster, the Foyle MLA said: ‘‘Despite what some people are saying, there has been movement on arms. Compare the IRA’s position in Easter 1998 where it was ‘not a bullet, not an ounce’ to where it is now.

‘‘You have the IRA engaging with the de Chastelain Arms Commission, independent inspections of arms dumps and the IRA outlining a political context in which weapons can be put beyond use.

‘‘What is required is a similar approach by the two governments on the other issues which can add value to the Agreement.

‘‘There can no cutting back on or renegotiation of the commitments made on demilitarisation, a new beginning to policing, the implementation of the equality agenda and the review of the criminal justice system.’’

Mr McLaughlin said a ‘‘singular approach’’ on the issue of weapons, focusing solely on his party, would not work.

He also claimed proposals by Prime Minister Tony Blair on policing ‘‘fell well short’’ of what was required to secure nationalist and republican support.

‘‘A considerable body of work will have to be done but it cannot be done with just an implementation plan. There must be legislative change to Peter Mandelson’s Police Act. That is the challenge for the British Government.’’

Northern Ireland’s parties expect the two governments’ ‘‘take-it-or-leave- it’’ package to be ready within a week to 11 days.

During a visit to RUC officers who faced rioting on the streets of north Belfast last night, Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid would give no firm date on when the package would be ready.

‘‘It’s better that we get it right than have it rushed, so we’re working on it at present and as soon as it’s finished we will put it to the parties,’’ he said.

Failure to find a formula acceptable to unionists, moderate nationalists and republicans will leave the Government with an uncomfortable decision.

It can either suspend the political institutions in an attempt to buy more time to resolve the crisis or allow an Assembly vote to go ahead before August 12 for a new Northern Ireland First and Deputy First Minister.

The vote is required following Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble’s resignation from the executive on July 1.

If a First Minister and Deputy First Minister cannot be chosen, there will be fresh Assembly elections.

London and Dublin sources were not discounting today reports that the two governments may propose to appoint an international judge to examine whether independent inquiries should be held into several controversial murders.

For nationalists and republicans, these would include the killings of solicitors Pat Finucane in February 1989 and Rosemary Nelson in March 1999 and Portadown Catholic Robert Hamill in May 1997.

For unionists and loyalists, it would mean examining the killings of Loyalist Volunteer Force commander Billy Wright in the Maze Prison in December 1997, Lord Justice Maurice Gibson and his wife, Cecily, in April 1987 and RUC officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan in March 1989.

On policing, the governments are under pressure to give more powers to the board appointed to hold the new police service accountable and to allow former paramilitary prisoners to serve on local police liaison boards.

But the governments were warned by Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside that further policing concessions would be unworkable.

The South Antrim MP said: ‘‘What is most disturbing about current talks on further reform is that we are being asked not only to accept political fronts for paramilitaries in government but we may also be asked to accept their bully boys in the police in return for a ‘gesture’ on decommissioning.

‘‘Mr Blair needs to stop spinning and start standing up to the bullying tactics of the republican movement on the streets and at the talks table.’’