UNIONIST parties remained divided yesterday over their interpretation of the statement by the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, on his government's terms for Sinn Fein's entry into talks.
The Ulster Unionist Party's deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, said the terms rightly kept Sinn Fein out of multi party talks until there was a new IRA ceasefire and evidence that the IRA had permanently abandoned violence.
That republicans were planning a bomb in Armagh on Thursday just as Mr Major was announcing his proposals showed, he said that they were not interested in peace. Better progress would be made at multi party talks if the SDLP concentrated on negotiating with the UUP rather than constantly waiting for Sinn Fein.
Mr Ian Paisley jnr, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said the British government had effectively dropped the decommissioning issue.
The fringe loyalist parties said Mr Major was right to publish his proposals.
The Ulster Democratic Party leader, Mr Gary McMichael urged Mr John Hume to adopt a similarly open position. "John Hume says that his proposals with Gerry Adams threaten no one. Mr Hume should let us all see these proposals and judge for ourselves."
The Progressive Unionist Party leader, Mr David Ervine, said there was nothing "outlandish or unreasonable" in Mr Major's proposals. Nationalists were over reacting.
The UK Unionist Party leader, Mr Robert McCartney, said the British government could clearly not be relied on to maintain a position. The way was open for republicans to enter talks, look at what was on offer and return to violence if they did not like it.
The Alliance Party leader, Lord Alderdice, said whatever statement the British government made it was never enough for republicans and was far too much for unionists.
The Women's Coalition said it was important to keep the door open to all parties, including Sinn Fein. It did not want extra barriers to the party's entry into talks.