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Richard Haass talks end without deal in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: Richard Haass talks end without deal
(about 1 hour later)
Talks to resolve some of the most divisive issues that have hampered the Northern Ireland peace process have broken up without agreement.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.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".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.He called it a "basis" for change.
'Strong endorsement'
"All the parties support significant parts of the agreement. At the same time, all have some concerns," Dr Haass said."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.""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".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.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."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."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.""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.
'Good progress'
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".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".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."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. The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said that while the "broad architecture" of the agreement was acceptable, "some of the language and detail is not what we would have chosen and in some cases we strongly disapprove of the language".
A deadline for agreement had been set for Monday evening, but the talks continued into the early hours of Tuesday. "We entered into this process to get the right deal for the people of Northern Ireland, but not any deal," he added.
Alliance Party deputy leader Naomi Long said the talks had moved negotiations forward but there were still major challenges over the issues of parades and flags.
"I believe we have made good progress but we still have work to be done.," she said.
During the talks, many had expressed optimism that a deal would be reached. 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.
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.
"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.
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.