Decision on Assembly elections awaited

The British government is expected to make a decision today on whether to postpone the Northern Assembly elections scheduled for May 29th.

Observers in the North have said a delay is likely, despite the fact that every political party except the Ulster Unionists wants the election to go ahead.

The Irish and British governments have already delayed publishing their proposals for overcoming the current deadlock in the peace process because of the vague language used in a recent IRA statement.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams subsequently clarified the situation, saying that the IRA was prepared to decommission all its arms and bring an end to its war with Britain.

He also stated yesterday that the IRA would not engage in any activities which undermined the peace process or the Good Friday Agreement, but this pledge was rejected by the British Government.

Sinn Fein is believed to be livid after effectively meeting all British demands only to have its efforts rubbished.

The party said yesterday's statement by Mr Adams was the final hoop that republicans were willing to jump through and that negotiations with the two Governments and the northern parties were now over.

Sources said Sinn Fein's next task was to engage with the party's grassroots members, many of whom were believed to be furious at the rejection of the strides made by republicans in recent weeks and months.

Sinn Fein has also accused the Irish Government of acting like a junior partner and allowing the British Government to dictate how the peace process was playing out.

There are now concerns about the political vacuum that will be left if Britain decides to postpone the upcoming election.

UUP leader David Trimble is understood to want to renegotiate parts of the Good Friday Agreement during a review process due to take place later this year, a move that would be unacceptable to Sinn Fein and the SDLP.