Mowlam agrees with Dublin on consultation programme

Britain and Irish Republic to Consult Ulster Parties

Irish Foreign Minister Ray Burke and Ulster Secretary Mo Mowlam held two hours of talks to review political developments following the ceasefire. They reiterated their commitment to getting "substantive" negotiations off the ground on September 15 - the deadline set by both Governments.

The two governments also committed themselves to having decommissioning machinery in place in time for the start of negotiations.

After the meeting Mr Burke said: "We have an historic opportunity for people to engage in substantive talks. We hope that all representatives of the people will take the opportunity between now and September 15 to decide to engage in substantive talks so that we can allow discussion to allow for a historic resolution of this problem to be put to the people by the end of May next year."

Mr Burke said there was "no question" of decommissioning being fudged.

"We had a very constructive meeting. We are now working well and constructively together. We have put together a very good programme of activities for the summer that will deliver for us the chance on September 15.

"There will be decommissioning machinery in place as well as the machinery for substantive negotiations."

"The Ulster Unionists have said they want to discuss the proposals with us during the summer. They have not walked out of the process and I think that's a very important stand that David Trimble has taken."

The meeting between the British and Irish ministers followed a decision yesterday to stop routine military patrols in parts of the greater Belfast area.

As Ms Mowlam prepares for talks with Sinn Fein representatives at Stormont next week following the restoration of the IRA ceasefire, other security measures are to be reduced as well.

They include a cut in the level of Army support for the RUC, fewer patrols in all regions and the removal security barriers in a number of town centres.

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