The chief peace negotiator for Sinn Fein, Martin McGuinness, has categorically rejected the latest package of negotiating proposals from the Anglo-Irish governments.

Martin McGuinness: Sinn Fein is "opposed" to the latest proposals from the Anglo-Irish governments (1' 49")

In a BBC interview, Mr McGuinness says the plan - which proposes a new Northern Ireland assembly - is fatally flawed.

He says it has only provoked anger within the Nationalist community and will not be considered - as London and Dublin are calling it - a blueprint for progress at the all-party talks.

David Trimble: there are many "more rounds" to come in the peace process (21")

Mr McGuinness accuses the British and Irish governments of bowing to pressure from unionists, although he insists Sinn Fein will not pull out of the peace talks.

"Over the course of the last number of days we have seriously considered the document and I think it is fair to say that this document has gone down very badly within Sinn Fein.

"Wider afield there is anger in the nationalist community that what we have effectively seen is a statement where the two governments have effectively succumbed to the Orange card," he said.

The proposals were the result of protracted talks which followed the outbreak of violence sparked by the murder of loyalist leader Billy Wright who was murdered in Belfast's Maze prison late last year.

Mo Mowlam: hoped for settlement breakthrough

Under the power-sharing plans outlined in the proposals, a Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by proportional representation, would be given devolved executive and legislative responsibility.

They also called for a new British-Irish agreement which would replace the existing Anglo-Irish agreement and would include an inter-governmental council with representatives from Northern Ireland and the new assemblies being established in Scotland and Wales.

And they suggested the creation of a north-south ministerial council, which would be accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Dublin government.

The proposals also called for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and for measures to tackle contentious issues such as security, policing and the decommissioning of terrorist weapons.

Both London and Dublin had made it clear that the proposals were not set in stone but were their best guess at a generally acceptable outcome.

Sinn Fein's rejection is likely to put more pressure on the peace talks when they resume on Monday. Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionists, accused Sinn Fein of calling the governments' bluff to extract concessions.

In return Mr McGuinness accused London and Dublin of retreating from the earlier and, to republicans more acceptable, framework document, and of caving in to unionist demands.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©