Blair Says Tough Issues Remain in N. Irish Peace BidBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that progress was being made in breaking the impasse in Northern Ireland's peace process but that tough issues remain to be resolved.He was speaking at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast on Thursday after further talks with political leaders in the province broke up without substantial agreement. Blair met Ulster Unionists, Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party as well as the Women's Coalition and the anti-agreement Democratic Unionist Party. The prime minister described the talks as "worthwhile" but said there were problems still to be overcome. Blair was due to hold talks by telephone with U.S. President Bill Clinton on Thursday but these were rescheduled for Friday. He is also to speak by telephone with his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern. The discussions were focused on the issues of paramilitary weapons, the future of army bases in the province, police reform and the political linkage between them. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said there was no sign of an imminent breakthrough when he emerged from the talks at Hillsborough Castle, adding that there was the "possibility of movement." Officials from the British, Irish and U.S. governments were also involved in the talks which are likely to resume next week. |
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