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Sinn Fein sell PSNI to supporters Sinn Fein sell PSNI to supporters
(about 3 hours later)
The Sinn Fein leadership is to hold debates across Northern Ireland to sell to grass-roots republicans the idea of backing policing.The Sinn Fein leadership is to hold debates across Northern Ireland to sell to grass-roots republicans the idea of backing policing.
The party's executive decided on Saturday to hold a special conference, or ard fheis, in Dublin on 28 January. More than 2,000 republicans will vote. The party's executive decided on Saturday to hold a special conference on the issue in Dublin on 28 January. More than 2,000 republicans will vote.
Some view policing as a step too far but Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern see it as crucial for restoring devolution. The DUP's Nigel Dodds welcomed the move as a "first step" but said there had to be delivery, not just words.
This would have to be done unconditionally, Mr Dodds said.
"Instead Sinn Fein are saying that this policy will not be implemented until such times as there is an executive and an assembly up and running and frankly that is unacceptable - there has to be delivery on the ground."
Crucial
Some republicans view accepting policing as a step too far but prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern see it as crucial for restoring devolution.
Mr Blair also insists the DUP must pledge to share power with republicans.Mr Blair also insists the DUP must pledge to share power with republicans.
Assembly elections are planned for 7 March, and 28 March is the two governments' target date for the restoration of devolution.Assembly elections are planned for 7 March, and 28 March is the two governments' target date for the restoration of devolution.
Mr Adams told party colleagues on Saturday they had taken "the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an ard fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively". Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told party colleagues on Saturday they had taken "the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an ard fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively".
The decision to hold the conference was welcomed by the British and Irish governments, as well as PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde.The decision to hold the conference was welcomed by the British and Irish governments, as well as PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde.
The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson also welcomed the move but said his party would need to see support by Sinn Fein translated into action on the ground.
Mark Durkan, leader of the nationalist SDLP, said Sinn Fein's ard fheis must agree to "accept policing, with no ifs or buts".Mark Durkan, leader of the nationalist SDLP, said Sinn Fein's ard fheis must agree to "accept policing, with no ifs or buts".
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey called for DUP leaders to meet the leadership of Sinn Fein "openly and with the public's knowledge, rather than more of these discussions going on behind people's backs".Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey called for DUP leaders to meet the leadership of Sinn Fein "openly and with the public's knowledge, rather than more of these discussions going on behind people's backs".