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Gerry Adams: Northern Ireland political process 'in serious difficulty' Gerry Adams: Northern Ireland political process 'in serious difficulty'
(about 4 hours later)
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said Northern Ireland's political process is "currently in serious difficulty".Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said Northern Ireland's political process is "currently in serious difficulty".
He claimed a "negative political axis" was trying to undermine the Good Friday Agreement and reverse recent progress.He claimed a "negative political axis" was trying to undermine the Good Friday Agreement and reverse recent progress.
He made his statement just days after First Minister Peter Robinson claimed the assembly was "not fit for purpose".He made his statement just days after First Minister Peter Robinson claimed the assembly was "not fit for purpose".
Mr Adams said unionist political leaders "may hanker after a return to majority rule" but he said the "Orange state is gone forever".Mr Adams said unionist political leaders "may hanker after a return to majority rule" but he said the "Orange state is gone forever".
'Think-in''Think-in'
He made his remarks from a Sinn Féin talks event in the Republic of Ireland.He made his remarks from a Sinn Féin talks event in the Republic of Ireland.
The party is holding its annual "think-in" at an Edwardian manor house in Termonfeckin, County Louth, where it will discuss its strategy for the year ahead.The party is holding its annual "think-in" at an Edwardian manor house in Termonfeckin, County Louth, where it will discuss its strategy for the year ahead.
The problems facing Northern Ireland's devolved political institutions were highlighted earlier this week, in a newspaper article written by the first minister.The problems facing Northern Ireland's devolved political institutions were highlighted earlier this week, in a newspaper article written by the first minister.
Mr Robinson, who leads the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), laid out his concerns about the delays, disagreements and "unsatisfactory compromises" facing ministers at Stormont.Mr Robinson, who leads the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), laid out his concerns about the delays, disagreements and "unsatisfactory compromises" facing ministers at Stormont.
'Ludicrous''Ludicrous'
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, Mr Robinson called for a fresh round of political negotiations with government involvement, on the scale of the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, which led to the DUP agreeing to share power with Sinn Féin.Writing in the Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday, Mr Robinson called for a fresh round of political negotiations with government involvement, on the scale of the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, which led to the DUP agreeing to share power with Sinn Féin.
In his statement on Thursday, Mr Adams said: "We now have the ludicrous position of unionist leaders, who repeatedly walked away from talks, asking for new talks."In his statement on Thursday, Mr Adams said: "We now have the ludicrous position of unionist leaders, who repeatedly walked away from talks, asking for new talks."
However, he said Sinn Féin was "open to negotiations and dialogue" and called for the Irish, British and US governments to be involved.However, he said Sinn Féin was "open to negotiations and dialogue" and called for the Irish, British and US governments to be involved.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers held talks on Thursday with Mr Robinson and Alliance leader David Ford.
Ms Villiers met the Ulster Unionists on Wednesday and is due to hold discussions with Sinn Féin and the SDLP next week.
Responding to Mr Robinson's call for the government to convene fresh negotiations on reforming the system of government at Stormont, a Northern Ireland Office source said the secretary of state was "supportive of any initiative" which might move the situation forward, but it would need to be agreed by all the parties.