DAVID MCNARRY MLA: Unionists must unite to work for Direct Rule alternative.

(From Newsletter)

Byline: DAVID MCNARRY MLA

IN the joint statement issued by British and Irish governments after the Lancaster House talks on June 25, 2004. This paragraph caught my eye, it reads as follows: "We urged the parties today to maintain their engagement over the summer with a view to advancing progress on these issues and to prepare their respective communities for the substantial steps that will be reached in order to reach an overall agreement."

The communication introduces an element of intrigue urging in particular Sinn Fein and the DUP to "prepare their communities for substantial steps". It will be most interesting to learn what preparations are afoot within the DUP as they work through the summer toward the substantial steps they are going to take to cut a …