Election postponement - Momentum can still be maintained

The meeting scheduled for next Tuesday between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair should not merely be a perfunctory one, aimed solely at building public confidence that there is no rift between the two governments in the wake of the postponement of the Northern elections.

Both leaders were at odds with each other as to the move in suspending the elections, with the British view ultimately prevailing to protect the tenuous position of Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble.

The Assembly elections have been moved from the end of this month until the autumn, allowing a summer vacuum which will almost inevitably be filled by sectarian agitation.