(12 Mar 1998) English/Nat
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that he would like to see the I-R-A-allied party Sinn Fein rejoin Northern Ireland's peace talks as soon as possible.
After a meeting with Blair at Downing Street, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also expressed a desire to return to negotiations without delay.
But the leader of the province's main Protestant party, who also met Blair on Thursday, said he wanted Sinn Fein permanently barred from talks.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams had demanded the meeting with the British prime Minister as a condition, before deciding whether to return to the Belfast talks, and on Thursday he got his way.
He exited from Number 10 Downing Street expressing impatience to return to the negotiating table.
But he added that he'd have to consult other Sinn Fein leaders before making a final decision.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"My own view is that we should seek to go back into the talks at the earliest possible opportunity but that's not a decision for me alone. We are a collective leadership, we'll consult, we'll report back."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader
The party, which like the I-R-A wants an end to British rule in the province, was expelled from the talks for two weeks after police linked the Irish Republican Army with two recent killings.
Since then the I-R-A has been linked to more violence.
Seemingly undeterred, Adams characterised his discussions with the British Prime Minister as frank and positive.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Everyone involved in this who really wants to see fundamental changes, which we certainly are committed to, will find themselves in difficulties. We recognise the difficulties faced by the British Prime Minister. We have been able to tell him of our difficulties. I think that it is only by facing up to this and trying to see the other party's point of view that we make some sense of it. So let's reflect on this morning's discussions, frank, positive, it was a good engagement. Let me assure everyone that Sinn Fein remains committed to a lasting and durable settlement in our country."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader
He then left for New York where he starts a six-day publicity tour.
Facing the press after a meeting with European leaders, which was also taking place on Thursday, the British Prime Minister was deluged with questions on Northern Ireland.
He stressed the importance of keeping the channels of communication open.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The most important thing is to carry on doing what I know to be right and what I know to be right is to try and give people in Northern Ireland the chance of a peaceful, prosperous future and that can only be done if we talk to people, it can't be done if we refuse to talk to people."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Blair, British Prime Minister
Also at Number 10 for talks with the Prime Minister on Thursday night, the leader of the north's major Protestant party said he'd like to see the permanent exclusion from talks of Sinn Fein.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are dangerously close to a situation where we are at the talks and their friends and comrades are engaged in violence for the purpose of influencing those talks."
SUPER CAPTION: David Trimble, Ulster Unionists leader
He played down Blair's earlier comments that a settlement was 'agonizingly close.'
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: David Trimble, Ulster Unionists leader
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