This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/30/northern-ireland-troubles-talks-richard-haass

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Northern Ireland parties win more time to agree Troubles deal Northern Ireland parties win more time to agree Troubles deal
(about 7 hours later)
Northern Ireland's five main parties have been given more time to hammer out an agreement that would deal with the legacy of unsolved Troubles crimes and lay out a plan to solve issues such as controversial parades.Northern Ireland's five main parties have been given more time to hammer out an agreement that would deal with the legacy of unsolved Troubles crimes and lay out a plan to solve issues such as controversial parades.
Negotiations will continue on Monday evening with a final session expected to start about 6.30pm. Negotiations will continue on Monday evening with a final session expected to start about 6.30pm.
American diplomat Richard Haass has sent the parties a sixth draft of an agreement on the contentious issues of the past, the flying of flags and marches.American diplomat Richard Haass has sent the parties a sixth draft of an agreement on the contentious issues of the past, the flying of flags and marches.
On the issues of the past, the document proposes creating a trauma centre to counsel thousands of victims who suffered during the conflict.On the issues of the past, the document proposes creating a trauma centre to counsel thousands of victims who suffered during the conflict.
A sticking point has been how those engaged in the conflict, particularly members of the security forces, might be compelled to give evidence about Troubles-related incidents over the past 40 years.A sticking point has been how those engaged in the conflict, particularly members of the security forces, might be compelled to give evidence about Troubles-related incidents over the past 40 years.
Sinn Fein's key negotiator at the talks, Gerry Kelly, said he was "fairly confident" a deal could be secured.Sinn Fein's key negotiator at the talks, Gerry Kelly, said he was "fairly confident" a deal could be secured.
Meanwhile, Haass has described the 38-page agreement as a "remarkable opportunity to make bold choices to address the issues that hold us back". Meanwhile, Haass has described the 38-page agreement as a "remarkable opportunity to make bold choices to address the issues that hold us back".
One of the most controversial issues has been the legacy of the past conflict in which 3,500 people died. About 3,000 of those killings remain unsolved and the Haass talks have been discussing the creation of a new police-investigative body to re-examine these cases. Thousands more suffered injuries and psychological trauma in three-and-a-half decades of violence. One of the most controversial issues has been the legacy of the past conflict in which 3,500 people died.
The body that would replace the Historical Enquiries Team would have to investigate killings by the IRA, loyalist paramilitaries and a number of controversial incidents involving the security forces. About 3,000 of those killings remain unsolved and the Haass talks have been discussing the creation of a new police-investigative body to re-examine these cases. Thousands more suffered injuries and psychological trauma in three and a half decades of violence.
The body that would replace the Historical Enquiries Team would have to investigate killings by the IRA, loyalist paramilitaries and a number of controversial incidents involving the security forces.
The Ulster Unionist party (UUP) has expressed concern that soldiers and police officers could be treated equally with paramilitaries in terms of being forced to give evidence, and face possible prosecutions.The Ulster Unionist party (UUP) has expressed concern that soldiers and police officers could be treated equally with paramilitaries in terms of being forced to give evidence, and face possible prosecutions.
Other issues such as flags and parades have been triggers for sectarian disorder and rioting since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.Other issues such as flags and parades have been triggers for sectarian disorder and rioting since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.