Unionists call for Sinn Fein sanctions

The Ulster Unionists are meeting this morning at their annual general meeting and calls are expected against the party resuming power-sharing with Sinn Fein without guarantees of IRA disbanding.

They have called on British Prime Minister Tony Blair to establish an independent monitoring body with powers to introduce sanctions against Sinn Fein if the IRA fails to stick by its ceasefire.

The move is being resisted by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who said last night that Sinn Fein will not be held accountable except for the Sinn Fein party and their mandate.

Mr Adams was speaking in London yesterday in advance of Monday's make or break bid by Prime Minister Tony Blair to hammer out a once-and-for-all settlement with the pro-Agreement parties.

Intensive behind the scenes discussions will continue until the arrival at Hillsborough of Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

It is understood there has been some progress in relation to new legislation on policing and criminal justice, but other key areas including the scaling down of the military presence, human rights and equality have still to be sorted out.

All sides admit the chances of agreement on Monday remain at less than 50-50.

Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said he believed there was little chance of a breakthrough.

"It is my view that as we face into the situation, as we are aware of the detail of what's being offered, there is actually very little likelihood of a breakthrough for Hillsborough on Monday."