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Richard Haass talks end without deal in Northern Ireland | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Talks to resolve some of the most divisive issues that have hampered the Northern Ireland peace process have broken up without agreement. | |
Northern Ireland's five main parties met through the night in a final effort to settle differences over parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles. | |
Former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass, who chaired the talks, said a final agreement was "not there" but there had been "significant progress". | |
He called it a "basis" for change. | |
"All the parties support significant parts of the agreement. At the same time, all have some concerns," Dr Haass said. | |
"We very much hope that the parties reflect on this, discuss it with their leadership and then come back with a strong endorsement. Over the next week we will know a lot more." | |
He said progress had been made in all three of the negotiating areas, especially the past, while flags and symbols had proven to be the "toughest area of negotiations". | |
Dr Haass said all five parties had "given it their best" and were "prepared to continue" with the process. | |
"It would have been nice to have come out here tonight and say we have got all five parties completely signed on to the text," he said. | |
"We are not there but I believe there is a real prospect that we will get several of the parties to sign on the text in full. | |
"Several of the other parties will endorse significant parts of it, and together this will provide a basis for a serious ongoing political process." | |
The overnight negotiations were on a seventh set of draft proposals put forward during the talks. | The overnight negotiations were on a seventh set of draft proposals put forward during the talks. |
After the talks, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams said his negotiating team believed there was a "basis for a deal in the proposals put forward". | |
He said the team would recommend it to the party's executive, though he said the proposed deal was "not perfect". | |
"I'm sure there will be a lot of disappointment out there as people come to terms with the fact that there doesn't appear at this point to be an agreement," he said. | |
Other parties in the talks have not yet spoken publicly about their positions. | |
A deadline for agreement had been set for Monday evening, but the talks continued into the early hours of Tuesday. | A deadline for agreement had been set for Monday evening, but the talks continued into the early hours of Tuesday. |
The three key issues have been: | The three key issues have been: |
During the talks, many had expressed optimism that a deal would be reached. | During the talks, many had expressed optimism that a deal would be reached. |
On Sunday, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt had said the talks were "80 to 90% over the line". | On Sunday, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt had said the talks were "80 to 90% over the line". |
Arriving for discussions on Monday, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said he was "fairly confident" a deal could be reached. | Arriving for discussions on Monday, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said he was "fairly confident" a deal could be reached. |
"These issues will not go away so now is the time to deal with them," he said. | "These issues will not go away so now is the time to deal with them," he said. |
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness had said it would be a "humiliation" if Dr Haass and his co-chair, Prof Meghan O'Sullivan, returned to the United States without securing a deal. | Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness had said it would be a "humiliation" if Dr Haass and his co-chair, Prof Meghan O'Sullivan, returned to the United States without securing a deal. |
Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan were brought to Northern Ireland in July by the first and deputy first ministers. | Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan were brought to Northern Ireland in July by the first and deputy first ministers. |