British Prime Minister Tony Blair has met separately with Northern Ireland's two rival political leaders, for the first time since the Irish Republican Army was declared disarmed.
The head of the Protestant Democratic Unionist Party, Ian Paisley, Thursday gave Mr. Blair a 64-page document outlining measures needed for talks with the IRA to resume. They include an agreement for Britain to retain at least one battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland.
Gerry Adams, who leads the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, told Mr. Blair it is vital to restore power-sharing institutions in the British province.
Meanwhile, Britain's Assets Recovery Agency today said it raided 250 properties worth more than $50 million in an investigation focusing on the financing of IRA activities.
Canadian General John de Chastelain, who oversaw IRA disarmament, said last week the group has scrapped all its weapons.
Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
