Breakdown in talks blamed on Major
Peace process: McGuinness pushes for all-party dialogue as INRA bombers seek to wreck ceasefire after split from Sinn Fein
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DANNY PENMAN
The British government is presiding over the destruction of the Irish peace process Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, said on a visit to London yesterday.
Mr McGuinness was in the capital to highlight the breakdown of negotiations last week between Sinn Fein and the British government and to try and win international backing.
The talks foundered over the decommissioning of arms and convening all-party negotiations on Northern Ireland's future. Despite intense Anglo- Irish diplomacy and a series of meetings between Michael Ancram, the Northern Ireland Minister, and Mr McGuinness, the two sides seem no closer to agreement than before talks started several months ago.
Sinn Fein wants all-party talks to discuss the province's future but steadfastly refuses to hand over any IRA arms. The British government insists that arms should be decommissioned before the talks begin.
Mr McGuinness said the insistence on the decommissioning of IRA arms was a thinly veiled attempt to force their surrender. He said that a surrender "was not on offer to them".
He said Sinn Fein's work to build the peace process had been undermined by John Major. As a result, he said, Mr Major was presiding over the death of the peace process.
"If we don't resolve the conflict, the potential for further conflict will always be there. I am not making threats. I am stating a political fact of history," Mr McGuinness said.
The Northern Ireland Office insisted it was not seeking an IRA surrender but simply wanted them to begin decommissioning their arms.
Sinn Fein is hoping that the President Bill Clinton's visit this month will help kick-start the peace process.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments