Paisley meeting 'constructive'

Ian Paisley met the Irish prime minister

Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley has held what he has described as a "very constructive" meeting with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Thursday's meeting in London came ahead of the opening session of the review of the Good Friday Agreement on 3 February.

The review will involve the British and Irish governments and parties elected to the assembly last November.

The political institutions were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence-gathering in the Stormont government.

The DUP's five MPs accompanied their leader to the meeting at the Irish Embassy in London.

It was the first meeting between Dr Paisley and Mr Ahern since the DUP topped the poll in the assembly elections.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Paisley said his delegation had stressed the forthcoming talks were about finding an agreement which unionists as well as nationalists could support.

He said the DUP had told the Irish Government that his party would not be negotiating with them on matters relating to the internal structures of how Northern Ireland was governed.

Bertie Ahern met DUP delegation

"We have impressed upon the government of the Irish Republic that a majority of unionists will not accept the Belfast Agreement," he added.

"Two thirds of unionists voted for those who are seeking to create a new agreement that is stable, democratic, accountable and fair."

He said the DUP wanted to see see the creation of "good neighbourly relations" with the Republic of Ireland "in a manner that is to the mutual benefit of both Northern Ireland and the Republic."

Mr Ahern said the meeting was "businesslike and cordial" and the DUP had expressed its willingness to engage constructively and cooperatively in the review.

He added: "We are here to try to do business and I think Dr Paisley and his colleagues said they were prepared to engage in that. Let's see how we get on.

"Today was a start, but it was a good start."

He said he hoped contacts with the DUP would be broadened over the coming weeks.

Mr Ahern was accompanied to the meeting by Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen and Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Some DUP politicians have expressed their approval of recent statements from the Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell about Sinn Fein.

But claims by Mr McDowell that IRA racketeering was funding Sinn Fein have been rejected by party leader Gerry Adams.

Last week, the DUP was accused of a U-turn over sitting in talks with Sinn Fein.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble mocked DUP leader Ian Paisley's hints that he may attend all the meetings of the Agreement review, even though it will feature round-table sessions with all the Assembly parties, including Sinn Fein.

It is understood the DUP will argue that the opening session of the talks will not be a negotiating forum, but merely an opportunity for each of the parties to state its opening position.

Both governments have said they expect the review to last about three months, but no definite date for the end of the process has been specified.