Taylor predicts a bumpy ride for US chairman at start of talks session

"IT will be bumpy", was Mr John Taylor's terse but probably accurate prediction of how the first plenary talks session will go this afternoon.

He and the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble had a harmonious meeting with Senator George Mitchell in Belfast yesterday. But afterwards they still had serious reservations about his role as independent chairman of the talks.

"It would be the equivalent of an American Serb being asked to preside over all party talks on the future of Croatia", said Mr Taylor, the UUP deputy leader.

Mr Taylor, in common with the DUP and UK Unionist Mr Robert McCartney clearly signalled that Mr Mitchell will need all his wisdom and strength of character to keep the opening session on course.

Mr Taylor, the DUP secretary Mr Nigel Dodds, and Mr McCartney all indicated that the three main unionist parties will be raising several procedural matters at the outset in an attempt to dislodge Mr Mitchell as independent chairman.

Mr Trimble, the Rev Ian Paisley and Mr McCartney met in Belfast on Saturday to try to agree on a common unionist approach.

Mr Trimble said his party was entering, the talks to "defend the Union". He repeated that Sinn Fein's participation was dependent on three conditions: an IRA ceasefire endorsement of the six Mitchell principles on non violence and democracy, and the beginning of actual decommissioning within a "short period" after the start of talks.

The UUP will meet this morning to finalise its plans for the opening talks session. Mr Ken Maginnis, the UUP security spokesman, said there would be no IRA ceasefire until sometime after today. "The British and Irish governments should stop wheedling IRA/Sinn Fein - they actually want to be left outside in the initial stages."

The Progressive Unionist Party, which reflects UVF thinking, may also raise issues about Mr Mitchell's involvement.