Blair to meet with UUP and SDLP
The leaders of both the SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party are to hold separate meetings with British Prime Minister Tony Blair today.
Few believe, however, there is likely to be any significant breakthrough at today's meetings.
However, the SDLP believes it is inching towards its hoped-for new start to policing but Seamus Mallon said they have not yet closed the gap between the Patten Report and what is now on offer from the British Government.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is actively discouraging young nationalists from responding to the recruitment campaign now expected to begin on Friday.
Party sources said that the door could be opened to discussions on decommissioning and demilitarisation only when there was agreement on policing .
The Ulster Unionist Party insisted it was the time to stop procrastinating and that the SDLP should support the new police service.
It is a message the British Government is likely to echo at today's meeting.
