AHERN KEEPS PEACE DEAL ON TRACK
Ahern keeps peace deal on track
By CHRIS GLENNON Political Correspondent
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern kept up an intense round of contacts yesterday in an attempt to revive momentum for the Good Friday peace pact. He had long telephone talks with British Premier Tony Blair as well as Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and in Dublin met churchmen involved in various stages of the peace process.
A government spokesman described the contacts as "'identifying the way ahead" and covering the full implementation of the Good Friday peace pact.
Key issues discussed were a total ceasefire the new crackdown on all groups still outside existing ceasefire arrangements, restoration of confidence in the new North Assembly of a shadow Cabinet .
While official sources revealed no details of the telephone talks, it is believed that Mr Ahern and Mr Adams reviewed the possibility of Provo breakaway groups joining the current ceasefire. Political and security sources say that strong pressure is being maintained on the Real IRA, the Omagh bombers, to declare a permanent end to violence. They are the biggest of the Provo splinter groups.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach will meet the North's First Minister and Deputy First Minister. David Trimble and Seamus Mallon, in Omagh tomorrow.
The Dail will be recalled in the first week of next month, probably September 1 or 2 to pass the law cracking down on terrorists. The Seanad will return the following week.
While official sources revealed no details of the telephone talks, it is believed that Mr Ahern and Mr Adams reviewed the possibility of Provo breakaway groups joining the current ceasefire.
By CHRIS GLENNON Political Correspondent
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern kept up an intense round of contacts yesterday in an attempt to revive momentum for the Good Friday peace pact. He had long telephone talks with British Premier Tony Blair as well as Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and in Dublin met churchmen involved in various stages of the peace process.
A government spokesman described the contacts as "'identifying the way ahead" and covering the full implementation of the Good Friday peace pact.
Key issues discussed were a total ceasefire the new crackdown on all groups still outside existing ceasefire arrangements, restoration of confidence in the new North Assembly of a shadow Cabinet .
While official sources revealed no details of the telephone talks, it is believed that Mr Ahern and Mr Adams reviewed the possibility of Provo breakaway groups joining the current ceasefire. Political and security sources say that strong pressure is being maintained on the Real IRA, the Omagh bombers, to declare a permanent end to violence. They are the biggest of the Provo splinter groups.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach will meet the North's First Minister and Deputy First Minister. David Trimble and Seamus Mallon, in Omagh tomorrow.
The Dail will be recalled in the first week of next month, probably September 1 or 2 to pass the law cracking down on terrorists. The Seanad will return the following week.
While official sources revealed no details of the telephone talks, it is believed that Mr Ahern and Mr Adams reviewed the possibility of Provo breakaway groups joining the current ceasefire.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/075
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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