Durkan doubtful deadline can be met
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, says he is doubtful the March 3rd deadline for breaking the deadlock in the peace process can be met.
Mr Durkan, who is meeting the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs in Dublin this afternoon, said he had not given up hope, however.
Proof the talks are intensifying came in the long list of meetings today: Mr. Trimble met the British prime minister in London, while Mark Durkan met the Northern Secretary, Paul Murphy and Gerry Adams in Belfast and will later meet Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen in Dublin.
After talks with the Sinn Fein leader, Mr Adams said you could wallpaper Stormont with government promises and what was needed instead was a concrete timeframe and guarantees.
Mr Durkan said he thought there might be too many gaps to be filled by Monday although people shouldn't give up and with good faith and solid will it was still possible.
Mr Blair and Mr Ahern are meeting in London on Thursday. In advance of that, the Northern Secretary, Paul Murphy, said there were many details to be finalised but there was no going back.
