Political shuffling

While observers believe Rev. Ian Paisley is prepared to join Sinn Féin in a power-sharing executive, there are increasing signs that some of his colleagues have a different view. These were very evident at a meeting of the Assembly in Stormont on Monday. During the session Mr Paisley was involved in a number of direct exchanges with Gerry Adams on the issue of policing. The rhetoric, however, would not have been out of place in any civilised parliament. The demeanour and language of Maurice Morrow was quite different when he was allowed to address the chamber. It was as if the DUP chairman had been quietly fuming while his leader was speaking, and he then tried to put the record straight on what was expected of Sinn Féin before it could take part in a power-sharing Government. He didn't refer to "sack clothe and ashes" but came close.
On Tuesday British Prime Minister Tony Blair heard first hand of the DUP's misgivings over the prospect of sharing power with Sinn Féin. At Downing Street Mr Blair met a DUP delegation comprising Mr Paisley, Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Mr Morrow; the latter two are known to be opposed to any co-operation with Sinn Féin.
A day earlier a meeting between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mr Blair focused on problems that have arisen in the implementation of the St Andrew's Agreement. Mr Ahern also raised the latest allegations that members of the British security forces had colluded with loyalist paramilitaries in carrying out sectarian murders in the 1970s.
Some observers were encouraged at the establishment of an Assembly subcommittee aimed at resolving the differences between the DUP and Sinn Féin over policing and justice. The subcommittee ensures that the DUP's Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly will be talking to each other on a regular basis. The six-strong group comprises two MLAs from the DUP and Sinn Féin plus one each from the UUP and the SDLP.
Prior to the subcommittee's first meeting on Friday Mr Kelly, the Sinn Féin spokesman on justice, revealed that he had been warned by the PSNI that he is the target of dissident republicans.