IRA blames Blair for Ulster deadlock

The IRA has blamed Tony Blair for the political deadlock in Northern Ireland, accusing the Government of reneging on promised plans to rescue the peace process.

Ahead of fresh efforts to bring together the province's leaders, the IRA protested that the British and Irish governments had delivered nothing in return for its most recent act of weapons decommissioning.

"This involved the largest amount of arms to date: after that the sequence was put on hold," the organisation said in its new year message. "Since then the two governments have not honoured their part of it. Consequently there has been no progress on a range of issues. The British Government carries the premier responsibility for that.''

Republicans are pressing for an immediate restoration of the Stormont Assembly, which was suspended 14 months ago, and further reductions in troop numbers. The IRA claimed its actions had helped keep the peace process alive. It said: "During the past year we have again demonstrated our readiness to facilitate progress in a clear and meaningful manner. The leadership of the IRA have kept their word and fulfilled their commitments. Others must do the same."

But the Democratic Unionist Party restated its refusal to co-operate with Sinn Fein or the IRA. Its leader, Ian Paisley, told the BBC: "I should not be talking to them because if I talk to them I might be breaking the pledges I am mandated for.

"We will not be talking to those that are armed and are continuing to carry out more desecration of human life."

The fresh round of talks is due to begin within weeks. The Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, has demanded they be limited to a month, but negotiations are expected to take much longer, leaving the two governments facing tough decisions in the spring about the direction of the peace process.