The Five Demands

Gordon Brown ha incontrato il capo del governo irlandese per fare un punto della situazione alla luce degli ultimi sconvolgimenti alla testa di Stormont

Il Primo Ministro inglese ha tenuto colloqui con Brian Cowen, capo di governo irlandese, per valutare lo stato di avanzamento del processo che si auspica porti alla devolution nel più breve termine possibile.
In precedenza, Martin McGuinness ha confermato gli importanti passi in avanti che sono stati fatti per cercare di superare l’attuale ‘pericolosa’ situazione di stallo, evitando di scendere nei dettagli. Con l’occasione non ha mancato di commentare con disgusto l’abuso mediatico che si sta facendo della tragedia familiare che ha investito Peter Robinson, e ha invitato tutti a manifestare una certa compassione nei confronti di Iris Robinson dopo la rivelazione della malattia mentale che l’ha colpita (grave forma di depressione).
E’ attesa la partecipazione di Gerry Adams al consiglio di amministrazione del Sinn Fein per fare il punto della situazione sugli accordi in fase di discussione con il DUP. Come è risaputo uno degli scogli da superare riguarda lo scioglimento della Parade Commission, su cui il partito repubblicano non ha alcuna intenzione di cedere.
David Ford di Alliance Party ha tenuto ieri colloqui con una rappresentanza del DUP, una riunione che ha definito molto ‘utile e positiva’, ma c’è “chiaramente ancora molto lavoro da fare” prima del raggiungimento di un accordo in materia di polizia e della giustizia ed ha affermato che i membri del DUP, che stanno rinviando da mesi il trasferimento dei poteri di polizia e giustizia, semplicemente non hanno capito la realtà della situazione in Irlanda del Nord.
Arlene Foster dopo aver presieduto la sua prima seduta dell’esecutivo, incontrerà Sir Reg Empey dell’Ulster Unionist Party, che nei giorni scorsi ha messo in guardia il DUP a non fare accordi sotto costrizione.

Le dichiarazioni ufficiali di Brown e Cowen al termine del loro incontro

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Brown call over justice impasse (BBC News Northern Ireland)
It is vital Stormont politicans continue their work on devolving justice powers, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said.
He said the British and Irish governments would do whatever it took to support their efforts.
Mr Brown was speaking after meeting Brian Cowen to discuss progress on the devolution of the powers.
Earlier, the NI deputy first minister said “earnest efforts” were being made to find a way through the impasse.
Martin McGuinness said critical discussions were taking place and he would not be drawn on the detail.
He refused to comment on speculation that the parades issue was one of the major stumbling blocks.
The British and Irish prime ministers are meeting to discuss progress on the devolution of the powers.
Speaking in Londonderry on Thursday, Mr McGuinness also said he was “disgusted” at some of the media coverage of the Iris Robinson story.
He said everyone should be showing Mrs Robinson compassion given that her family had confirmed she was suffering from a mental illness.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is also due to brief a meeting of his party’s officer board about the state of negotiations with the DUP.
The talks between Gordon Brown and Brian Cowen come as speculation mounts that agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein on the issue could be closer.
The question of how to deal with Orange Order parades is believed to be a sticking point between the parties.
Sinn Fein is resisting DUP efforts to replace the Parades Commission.
The DUP wants an alternative way to adjudicate on contentious marches along the lines of interim proposals produced by a group headed by Lord Ashdown.
Position
It is thought the DUP and Sinn Fein could try to reach a compromise position or agree to resolve the issue at a future date.
Alliance Party leader David Ford held talks with the DUP on Wednesday, a meeting which he described as “positive and useful”.
However, he added there was “clearly still a lot of work to be done” before an agreement on policing and justice could be reached.
Mr Ford said those members of the DUP who wanted devolution of the powers postponed for a number of months simply did not understand the reality of the situation in Northern Ireland.
Earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward urged unionists to reach a deal, saying the lack of agreement had created a “vacuum” which was being exploited by dissident republicans.
Sinn Fein has warned in recent weeks that progress needs to be made quickly or the power-sharing government could collapse.
Meanwhile, acting First Minister Arlene Foster is to meet Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, who has warned the DUP not to do a deal under duress in the wake of the Iris Robinson affair.
Ms Foster is also due to co-chair her first executive meeting.