US calls for concluding an agreement on Northern Ireland

The US today pressed five parties of Northern Ireland to make necessary compromises to reach an early deal after talks over outstanding issues like parades, flags and dealing with the past reached a critical juncture.
"We call upon the leadership of the five parties to make the compromises necessary to conclude an agreement now, one that would help heal the divisions that continue to stand between the people of Northern Ireland and the future they deserve," Caitlin Hayden, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, White House said in a statement.
Haass, a former US envoy to Northern Ireland from 2001 to 2003, returned to Belfast yesterday after efforts to reach a deal on issues surrounding parades, flags and dealing with the past had failed.

"Talks led by independent chair Richard Haass with the five parties of the Northern Ireland Executive have reached a critical juncture," Hayden said.
"The goal has been and remains to reach agreement before the end of the year on new arrangements for parading, flags, and contending with the legacy of past violence," she said.
The disputes hinge on the demand of both Catholics and Protestants to fly their preferred British and Irish flag. The Catholics also oppose the popular marches that are connected to the Protestants.

"Initiating these talks demonstrated the commitment of the parties and people of Northern Ireland to move forward on tough issues. We are confident that a solution can be reached if there is political will on all sides," Hayden said.

The five main parties have been given a draft of proposals by Haass on Friday.
Haass visited Northern Ireland in July. He returned to the US for Christmas after talks broke up without agreement in the early hours on Christmas Eve.