Government leaders hope to meet Trimble by weekend

THE three Coalition leaders hope to meet the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr David Trimble, before the end of the week, possibly in Dublin.

A Government spokesman said the Taoiseach was forwarding a "positive response" last night to Mr Trimble's letter.

The Government is believed to have made some points about the agenda proposed by Mr Trimble, the matters referred to in paragraph 10 (b) of the joint communique. Paragraph 10 (b) relates to the basis, format and agenda for the all party negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach steadfastly refused yesterday to confirm or deny that he had asked the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, to consider abstaining in the crucial vote on the Scott report in the House of Commons.

He pleaded the national interest when he told the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, and Ms Mary Harney, the PD leader, in the Dail "All discussions I had in regard to all matters leading up to the summit were dictated by my over riding objective on behalf of this country, which was in securing the early setting of a date for all party talks. That objective was of such cardinal importance that it was essential it should be my over riding and sole objective".

Questioned by Ms Harney as to whether Mr Spring was aware of contacts and discussions which he had in the run up to the issuing of the joint communique last Wednesday, Mr Bruton replied that "as a matter of practice, I keep the Tanaiste fully informed of contacts I have made, and he in turn keeps me fully informed of contacts he has made

There was a deliberate attempt by Government spokesmen to put the differences between Mr Bruton and Mr Spring on the Hume intervention behind them last night. Asked whether Mr Spring had been informed that Mr Bruton was going to request Mr Hume to help Mr Major, one Labour source stated "I would" contemplate responding to that.

It was later pointed out that Mr Bruton had referred in the past tense to "contacts I have made".

Mr Ahern said that it was gross and unprecedented interference to try to influence the way a party would vote on a domestic matter in the House of Commons.

Frank Millar, London Editor, writes The British Labour Party issued a distinctly frosty comment on yesterday's Dail proceedings, and the Taoiseach's failure to deny that he had attempted to influence the SDLP's vote on the Scott report.

Mr Donald Dewar, the Labour chief whip, told The Irish Times. "The Labour Party has always been careful to separate the delicate and anxious process of furthering peace in Northern Ireland from the evident problems of Mr Major's government. We will hold to that distinction."

Mr Bruton's action was ridiculed by the Conservative MP Mr David Wilshire, who said he couldn't decide "whether to be angry or hysterical".

Mr Wilshire said "If he (Mr Bruton) doesn't understand that the SDLP doesn't like the Conservative government then he doesn't understand much about Northern Ireland."

On a more serious note, Mr Wilshire continued "I really do think he would get more understanding and sympathy if he were to remember that this is an independent sovereign state, and that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom whether he likes it or not and not some part of his freedom.