What the papers say

Journalist Grania McFadden reviews Wednesday's morning newspapers.

Several papers express concerns about the two governments' forthcoming package on Northern Ireland's peace deal.

The News Letter warns that Tony Blair will wreck the Belfast Agreement if he gives in to a list of Sinn Fein demands without guaranteeing early IRA decommissioning.

The paper says Unionist politicians have reacted angrily to speculation that the deal will propose new moves on policing and demilitarisation, while leaving the arms issue unresolved.

The Daily Telegraph notes that it was Peter Mandelson's great achievement as Northern Ireland secretary to persuade most Ulster Unionists that the Patten report, suitably modified, need not encompass the destruction of the RUC.

Now, it says, all these carefully crafted concessions appear to have been jettisoned in pursuit of the Holy Grail of IRA decommissioning.

The Mirror's front page story reports that loyalist terrorists are using a website to organise pipe bomb attacks on Catholics.

Pipe bombers

The paper says a website is relaying information between terrorists bent on bombing and maiming.

One entry, from a loyalist in Limavady, identifies a Catholic by his address and the car he drives, and asks that the man be targeted by pipe bombers.

Police say the site is under investigation.

The broadsheets concentrate on the terrorist attack at Sri Lanka's airport.

Tamil Tigers breached the airport's security and launched an attack which turned into a four hour gun battle with security forces.

Bullets

One pregnant woman recounts how she hid in a ditch with her daughters as bullets struck the ground around them.

The Guardian carries a front page picture on one of the Airbus planes wrecked during the attack, in which 13 rebels and five soldiers died.

Back home, the Irish News reveals that the health department in Northern Ireland is preparing to pay out more than £3m this year as a penalty for overworking doctors.

The paper claims at least 75% of doctors are working more than 56 hours a week, and are receiving penalty payments as a result.

And the payments could spiral even higher. One trust confirmed to the Irish News that it alone will pay out a £750,000 bill.

The Independent reports that government ministers have begun an inquiry into the foot-and-mouth compensation scheme.

Systems

They are said to be alarmed at claims that some farmers and livestock valuers have inflated the value of culled animals.

The Irish Independent examines plans to legalise the production and sale of genetically modified foods.

Consumer Safety Commissioner David Byrne will announce detailed systems to control the labelling and production of GMOs.

The paper urges the European Commission to tread delicately on such a sensitive issue.

But it says the most significant assurances are that GM foods will not go on sale unless Europe's top scientists have found them safe and they have the approval of national governments.

Finally, the Daily Telegraph reports that there's a hint of desperation behind new efforts by the French to curb their motorists' lethal driving.

The paper says electronic signs have been installed above the Mediterranean-bound lanes of the Autoroute de Soleil. They declare: "Slow Down - The Sea Isn't Going To Evaporate".