'Positive approach' to policing urged

New recruits could be on the street by next spring

Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has urged the SDLP and Sinn Fein to adopt a "positive approach" to any discussions on the issue of policing in Northern Ireland.

Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Mr Trimble said that round table talks would not necessarily lead to a breakthrough but that the attitude of the parties was more important.

There has been weeks of intensive talks between the parties and the two governments aimed at breaking the political deadlock over decommissioning, demilitarisation and policing reform.

Mr Trimble said: "I don't think the procedures matter, I don't think the format matters.

"What does matter is the state of mind with which people enter into the discussions."

Dr Trevor Morrow: Current impasse must be broken

Meanwhile, Sinn President Gerry Adams has said nationalists and republicans should hold out for a "platform for sustainable change on the policing issue".

Speaking on RTE Radio on Sunday, Mr Adams said: "Those of us who are wedded and committed to bringing about that new beginning."

Meanwhile, the Presbyterian moderator, Dr Trevor Morrow, has said the current impasse on policing in Northern Ireland must be broken as soon as possible.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme, Dr Morrow said there had to be a way for all parties including the SDLP and Sinn Fein to give their support to the new police bill.

The SDLP and Sinn Fein say there is still a "gap" between what was proposed in the Patten report and what the British Government has put forward and have so far refused to put forward nominees to the new Police Board.

On Saturday, the SDLP's deputy leader said next weekend is the deadline for a deal to break the impasse on the policing issue.

The party is holding back its endorsement of the new service, hoping to gain promises of further police reforms from the government.

Seamus Mallon said there was no new thinking on how to break the logjam.

He said next week's round table talks involving the two governments, would be decision time.

Mr Mallon said: "The object of the exercise would be to draw things to a close, wherever that close leads us rather than to let the whole process bleed away as it is at present.

Seamus Mallon: Decision time next weekend

On Friday, a recruitment campaign got under way for the new Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The service will replace the Royal Ulster Constabulary, under the provisions of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Fein has urged nationalists not to apply to the service and has claimed the recruitment, coming ahead of resolution of the policing issue, is illegal.

It is expected that Protestants and Catholics would be recruited on a 50/50 basis.

Protestants currently make up 92% of the RUC.

The new officers will wear a uniform different to that of the RUC and bearing different emblems. As yet neither has been decided on.

About 500 police officers are expected to quit the RUC by the end of March as part of the severance arrangements negotiated after the Patten report on the future of policing in Northern Ireland.

Financial provisions are in place for a further 750 officers to leave over the next 12 months.

The beginning to recruitment now could see the new officers on the streets by next spring.