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Haass talks: DUP mixed reaction to draft document | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The draft document on the way forward on flags, parades and the past "has good and bad" parts, a DUP MP has said. | |
Jeffrey Donaldson was speaking after an initial reading of the proposals drawn up by US diplomat Richard Haass. | |
The five main Stormont parties have been examining the document. | |
Mr Donaldson said there were some parts they liked and "other elements we will have significant problems with". He added that the document was "by no means the end product". | |
Following reports of a row between the DUP and the Haass team last Thursday, Mr Donaldson said there were "now very substantial changes to the document they were were presented with then". | |
He said those changes "reflect concerns that we had". | |
"That doesn't mean they have all been dealt with satisfactorily," he said. | |
Robust | |
SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said the document had "strength and depth". | |
His party leader Alasdair McDonnell said the document was robust and its detail now needed to be interrogated. | |
Both delegations have gone to brief their parties. | |
Whilst the parties examine the proposals at Stormont, talks chairman Dr Haass will be in London meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Downing Street officials. | Whilst the parties examine the proposals at Stormont, talks chairman Dr Haass will be in London meeting the Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Downing Street officials. |
Dr Haass is expected to brief them on progress to date. | Dr Haass is expected to brief them on progress to date. |
He will return on Tuesday for another round of talks with local politicians. | He will return on Tuesday for another round of talks with local politicians. |
Dr Haass has previously said he is determined to bring the talks to a head by the end of the year. | Dr Haass has previously said he is determined to bring the talks to a head by the end of the year. |
Five rooms have been set aside inside the Stormont Hotel on Monday for the political parties to examine Dr Haass's draft document. | Five rooms have been set aside inside the Stormont Hotel on Monday for the political parties to examine Dr Haass's draft document. |
The parties have been told not to bring in any phones or other communication devices, nor to leave with any copies of the draft. | |
From Wednesday, the discussions are expected to move up a gear as Dr Haass's team pushes towards an agreed conclusion. | From Wednesday, the discussions are expected to move up a gear as Dr Haass's team pushes towards an agreed conclusion. |
The US diplomat returned to Northern Ireland last Monday for what he said would be an "intense two weeks of deliberations and negotiations". | The US diplomat returned to Northern Ireland last Monday for what he said would be an "intense two weeks of deliberations and negotiations". |