Blair Says Irish Peace Talks On Verge Of Breakthrough Meets With Sinn Fein Leaders To Urge Return To Negotiations

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday the Northern Ireland peace talks were “agonizingly close” to a framework agreement following a meeting with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams at which Blair urged the ally of the Irish Republican Army to return to the bargaining table.

Adams, whose party was suspended from the talks two weeks ago for two Belfast killings deemed to be handiwork of the IRA, said, “Sinn Fein is deeply committed to negotiations as a means of resolving conflict.

… We will face up to our responsibilities.”

Adams and the other Sinn Fein leaders who met with Blair at his Downing Street residence did not say, however, when they would reenter the talks. After being thrown out temporarily - the suspension ended March 9 - Sinn Fein is taking its time about coming back. “We should seek to go back to the talks at the earliest possible opportunity,” Adams said. The talks are scheduled to resume in Belfast on March 23.

Negotiations between Britain, the Republic of Ireland and members of Northern Ireland’s political parties, including those representing Protestants who want to stay tied to Britain and Catholics who want independence and a relationship with Ireland, are nearing the end of their self-prescribed deadline.

“I hope Sinn Fein (will) come back to the process. We are agonizingly close to agreeing certainly the framework - the outline - of a settlement,” Blair said.

In order to place a referendum before the people of both Ireland and Northern Ireland on the chosen date of May 22, negotiators must forge a solution by late April.

“There is no doubt we are closer than we ever have been before,” said Britain’s Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Marjorie Mowlam.

All sides have agreed not to discuss the substance of their talks, which are aimed at putting an end to nearly three decades of sectarian strife, but the discussions are based on a British-Irish proposal that would grant a legislative assembly to Northern Ireland and create stronger governmental links with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland would remain part of Britain.

Mowlam and Adams will be in Washington next week to meet with members of Congress and Clinton administration officials.