IRA gun photo row blocks peace talks

A ROW over taking a photograph of IRA guns being destroyed is the latest stumbling block threatening to crash the North’s peace talks.

The DUP want the documentary evidence of the IRA’s arms decommissioning, but Sinn Féin feels unionists will only use photographs to humiliate Republicans, according to sources close to the talks.

Yesterday the Taoiseach was believed to be alluding to the dispute when he said he thought the public would almost be amused if exact details of some of the talks on decommissioning were divulged.

Giving his strongest indication the IRA is set to decommission its weapons by the end of the year, Mr Ahern said it would be an enormous tragedy if a breakthrough in the peace process was not made within the next fortnight.

Speaking last night, Mr Ahern said he recognised that, due to the mistrust in the past, some additional elements of transparency might be needed to close the gap on the sensitive issue of decommissioning. Going further, as he addressed the Philosophical Society in Trinity College Dublin, Mr Ahern said if the will was there to make an accommodation, it ought to be possible to agree steps to maximise public confidence in putting arms beyond use.

“On the other hand, if people make unreasonable demands that carry a resonance of humiliation for any side, these will be entirely counter-productive and will not work.

“It would be tragically ironic if the prospect of ending IRA activity and capability was lost because it did not meet unrealistic thresholds of visibility.”

Appealing to the DUP in particular, Mr Ahern said there was no tactical advantage in putting matters off until 2006, which would be the next opportunity for coming to a settlement.

“After so many decades of conflict and turmoil, the outstanding issues, while difficult, are very few indeed. I hope the parties grasp the opportunity and move forward together towards a fully inclusive society, respecting diversity, based on equality and partnership,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s Bairbre de Brún will not be a member of the power-sharing Government if it is restored in the North.

The former Minister for Education last night resigned from the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Féin said Ms de Brún wanted to concentrate on her work in the European Parliament and is expected to be replaced as a West Belfast MLA by Councillor Sue Ramsey.

Also yesterday, the Taoiseach met with US civil rights campaigner and Democratic Party politician, the Rev Jesse Jackson.