Sinn Fein leaders closer to policing agreement

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

DUBLIN (AFP) — The executive of Sinn Fein, Northern Ireland's main Roman Catholic party, edged a step closer to agreement on policing policy -- the main obstacle to restoring power-sharing in Belfast. Sinn Fein voted to press ahead with a landmark conference on the issue for a second time despite a row with the Democratic Unionists (DUP), Northern Ireland's biggest Protestant party.

Party president Gerry Adams recalled the national executive after accusing the DUP, led by Ian Paisley, of reneging on an alleged deal that would have seen them welcoming a republican plan for a policing ballot. After the six-hour meeting, a spokesman said that on the urging of Adams the executive passed a motion for the conference to go ahead on January 28 by more than two-thirds. British Prime...