March 27, 2003 Adams Hardens Position on Police
by Liam Clarke

THE Irish and British governments will this week attempt to secure concessions from the IRA ahead of the publication of a joint blueprint for peace in mid-April, writes Liam Clarke.

The two governments are said to have been disturbed by comments made by Gerry Adams at the National Press Club in Washington last week. Adams said he could not support the Police Service of Northern Ireland and described the North's judicial system as "totally corrupt". He predicted that the IRA would meet the decommissioning body only after devolved institutions were restored.

"I can't speak for them or even second-guess them, but the logic of the IRA's position is that with the institutions back in place it will re-engage," Adams said.

Next month Bertie Ahern, the taoiseach, and Tony Blair, the British prime minister, will publish a document saying that the IRA must cease military activity and decommission before the power-sharing executive can be restored. They want Sinn Fein to join Northern Ireland's policing board as part of any deal.

However, in Dublin on Friday Adams appeared to rule out any move on policing at next weekend's Sinn Fein ard fheis. He said he would not support taking a seat at the board without progress on other fronts.

Both Adams and Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, continue to rule out sanctions against parties that break commitments under the Good Friday agreement, a key element of the proposed package.