Set for self-rule in N Ireland
Monday, January 29, 2007
NORTHERN Ireland's main Catholic party Sinn Fein agreed to support police in the British-run province, in a historic vote overcoming the last major hurdle to the restoration of self-rule there.
The "yes" vote, which was widely expected, was welcomed by the British and Irish prime ministers, although the province's largest Protestant party, the Democratic Unionists (DUP), said the decision would be meaningless unless it was fully implemented.
The DUP had previously said they were unwilling to form an executive with Sinn Fein without an endorsement like the one given last Sunday.
"Today you have created the potential to change the political landscape on this island forever," Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams told delegates, after they voted overwhelmingly by a show of hands to back the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision, with a spokesman for his Downing Street office saying: "The prime minister welcomes this historic decision and he recognises the leadership it has taken to get to this point."
Blair's Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern hailed the "landmark decision" which he said "opens the way for inclusive support for policing throughout Northern Ireland. That is profoundly in the interests of everybody".
Ahern and Blair plan to meet today to discuss the developments in the British province, and their two governments are due to publish a special report by the Northern Ireland parliamentary watchdog, the Independent Monitoring Commission. The special report is likely to be released this week, an official said.
Ian Paisley, the DUP's firebrand leader, responded to Sunday's vote by saying: "No postdated action can take the place of real delivery. The postponements must come to an end."
"Only with real delivery can the way be cleared for a full return to democracy and a facing up to the everyday needs and requirements of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Sinn Fein's refusal to support policing has been a major stumbling block in efforts to restore the assembly, which has been suspended since 2002.
AFP
The "yes" vote, which was widely expected, was welcomed by the British and Irish prime ministers, although the province's largest Protestant party, the Democratic Unionists (DUP), said the decision would be meaningless unless it was fully implemented.
The DUP had previously said they were unwilling to form an executive with Sinn Fein without an endorsement like the one given last Sunday.
"Today you have created the potential to change the political landscape on this island forever," Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams told delegates, after they voted overwhelmingly by a show of hands to back the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision, with a spokesman for his Downing Street office saying: "The prime minister welcomes this historic decision and he recognises the leadership it has taken to get to this point."
Blair's Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern hailed the "landmark decision" which he said "opens the way for inclusive support for policing throughout Northern Ireland. That is profoundly in the interests of everybody".
Ahern and Blair plan to meet today to discuss the developments in the British province, and their two governments are due to publish a special report by the Northern Ireland parliamentary watchdog, the Independent Monitoring Commission. The special report is likely to be released this week, an official said.
Ian Paisley, the DUP's firebrand leader, responded to Sunday's vote by saying: "No postdated action can take the place of real delivery. The postponements must come to an end."
"Only with real delivery can the way be cleared for a full return to democracy and a facing up to the everyday needs and requirements of the people of Northern Ireland," he said.
Sinn Fein's refusal to support policing has been a major stumbling block in efforts to restore the assembly, which has been suspended since 2002.
AFP
2007/1.%20January/30%20Jan/BT30Jan.1.pdf
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