Adams calls for publication of peace package

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams today called on the British and Irish Governments to immediately publicise details of issues such as policing in the package of proposals designed to break the current deadlock in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Speaking after a three-and-a-half hour meeting of the party’s executive in a hotel in Castlebellingham, Co Louth, he welcomed what he described as the recognition by the two Governments that full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement had not yet been achieved.

But he said there was ‘‘considerable annoyance’’ expressed at the absence of proposals for a ‘‘impartial system of justice’’ and concerns about other key issues such as demilitarisation.

Mr Adams said: ‘‘I am calling for the two Governments to publicise immediately the details of what they are proposing.

‘‘This includes the revised implementation plan on policing, plus the legislative amendments to the Policing Act and the implementation of a plan to deliver a fair and impartial system of justice.’’

A Sinn Fein delegation is due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reed at Hillsborough Castle tomorrow to discuss the implementation of a programme of policing reform.

Mr Adams added: ‘‘We are totally committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its aspects, the arms issues, all of the other issues.’’

He said the proposals formed a ‘‘basis for further progress, adding that the two Governments ‘‘had explicitly recognised that the Good Friday Agreement has not been implemented so far and that is a good development and we welcome that.’’

Asked if this demand for clarification of the bilateral proposals would mean his party failed to meet the Monday deadline for a response, he said: ‘‘Whether that happens before Monday is entirely a matter for the Governments to provide that information.’’