Mayhew optimistic on IRA response
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.SIR PATRICK Mayhew, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, last night fuelled optimism about an IRA acceptance of the Downing Street declaration, writes Alan Murdoch.
After an Anglo-Irish conference in Dublin, he said: 'We believe today may yet see a positive response from the Provisionals.' But he emphasised that both governments would work 'as a matter of urgency to provide a framework in terms of format, procedure and substance' for new talks involving constitutional parties.
He said he had told Dick Spring, the Irish foreign minister, and Maire Geoghegan- Quinn, the justice minister, of London's disappointment that Dublin had lifted its broadcast ban on members of named organisations, which he said 'had sent an inappropriate signal'.
On Sinn Fein requests for clarification of the declaration, he said London was willing 'to make clear what the document does, and . . . doesn't do. Mr Spring and I have agreed to continue to make speeches which do just that.' He added: 'I think we ought to get away from dancing on the head of a pin about whether it's 'clarifying', or what words you may wish to use.'
The US consul-general in Belfast met the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, yesterday to see if he was ready to renounce violence and clear the way for his visit to the United States. But the State Department in Washington said that the lengthy meeting between Val Martinez and Mr Adams had been inconclusive.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments