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Northern Ireland: Richard Haass says parties must justify decision not to endorse proposals Northern Ireland: Richard Haass says parties must justify decision not to endorse proposals
(35 minutes later)
The chair of talks aimed at resolving parades, flags and the past has said the two unionist parties and Alliance have to justify their decisions not to fully endorse his proposed agreement.The chair of talks aimed at resolving parades, flags and the past has said the two unionist parties and Alliance have to justify their decisions not to fully endorse his proposed agreement.
Richard Haass said in his opinion accepting the deal was not a close call.Richard Haass said in his opinion accepting the deal was not a close call.
He said implementing his proposals would help create a much calmer NI.He said implementing his proposals would help create a much calmer NI.
Sinn Féin and the SDLP have endorsed the proposals, but the DUP, UUP and Alliance have so far rejected them.Sinn Féin and the SDLP have endorsed the proposals, but the DUP, UUP and Alliance have so far rejected them.
Speaking to the BBC's View programme from New York, Dr Haass he hoped the British and Irish governments would continue to work with the parties, but the critical matter was for the Stormont parties themselves to compromise.Speaking to the BBC's View programme from New York, Dr Haass he hoped the British and Irish governments would continue to work with the parties, but the critical matter was for the Stormont parties themselves to compromise.
"For the three parties that were not prepared to endorse it, they each had obvious concerns, some were articulated more than others," he said."For the three parties that were not prepared to endorse it, they each had obvious concerns, some were articulated more than others," he said.
"I would prefer for them to speak and to justify or explain their choices about what it was that led them to think that they narrowly, or the society as a whole, would be better off without this agreement.""I would prefer for them to speak and to justify or explain their choices about what it was that led them to think that they narrowly, or the society as a whole, would be better off without this agreement."
The former US diplomat said the parties were going to have to "defend their positions".
"Why three in particular were not prepared to endorse this agreement that quite honestly, I and we feel, gave them more than enough to go out and defend it, not to just the general public but to their own particular constituencies," he said.
Dr Haass, who was brought to Northern Ireland with co-chair Prof Meghan O'Sullivan in July by the first and deputy first ministers, chaired talks with the five main parties in an effort to resolve some of the most divisive issues that have hampered the Northern Ireland peace process.Dr Haass, who was brought to Northern Ireland with co-chair Prof Meghan O'Sullivan in July by the first and deputy first ministers, chaired talks with the five main parties in an effort to resolve some of the most divisive issues that have hampered the Northern Ireland peace process.
The talks ended on New Year's Eve without agreement after parties received a seventh set of draft proposals.The talks ended on New Year's Eve without agreement after parties received a seventh set of draft proposals.
On Monday, Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan published a two-page summary of their blueprint.On Monday, Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan published a two-page summary of their blueprint.
The DUP has said the final Haass proposals needed "much more work".The DUP has said the final Haass proposals needed "much more work".
'Disagreement''Disagreement'
Party leader and Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson called for an "all-party working group" to be set up.Party leader and Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson called for an "all-party working group" to be set up.
He said the aim of the working group would be to "resolve outstanding areas of disagreement and implement agreements when identified".He said the aim of the working group would be to "resolve outstanding areas of disagreement and implement agreements when identified".
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said the proposals were "not viable or acceptable".Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said the proposals were "not viable or acceptable".
He said it was up to Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to "clear up the obvious mess created by this process".He said it was up to Mr Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness to "clear up the obvious mess created by this process".
The Alliance Party said it would support the proposal on the past, but has raised issues about suggested resolutions on flags and parades.The Alliance Party said it would support the proposal on the past, but has raised issues about suggested resolutions on flags and parades.
Sinn Féin's ruling party executive is due to meet on 11 January to consider the proposed agreement.Sinn Féin's ruling party executive is due to meet on 11 January to consider the proposed agreement.
Like Sinn Féin, the SDLP have signalled a willingness to back Dr Haass's proposals.Like Sinn Féin, the SDLP have signalled a willingness to back Dr Haass's proposals.
Party leader Alasdair McDonnell said despite some concerns he anticipated his party would accept the agreement.Party leader Alasdair McDonnell said despite some concerns he anticipated his party would accept the agreement.
You can hear more of that interview with Dr Haass in a special edition of The View on BBC One at 22:35 GMT on Wednesday.You can hear more of that interview with Dr Haass in a special edition of The View on BBC One at 22:35 GMT on Wednesday.