Northern Ireland's politicians are unlikely to resolve their dispute over IRA weapons in time to prevent Mr David Trimble's resignation as First Minister, Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams admitted tonight.
Emerging from talks with Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair at Downing Street, Mr Adams gave a downbeat assessment of the parties' ability to solve their problems ahead of July 1 when the resignation will come into effect.
Criticising the Ulster Unionist leader's "rash and reckless" resignation threat, the West Belfast MP said: "For a British government to be seen to bend to threats and ultimatums is entirely counter productive and wrong.
"Let's not have the process hijacked and have a British government and a process led lemmingly over the edge of a cliff because of some Kamikaze urge.
"All of these issues can be resolved and with goodwill all of these issues will be resolved. Can these be resolved between now and July 1st? I would imagine not."
The Sinn Fein president's pessimistic comments followed a warning from Mr Trimble that he would go ahead with his threat to resign on July 1 if there was no substantial movement on IRA disarmament.
Mr Trimble repeated his warning on leaving Downing Street.
"I have made it absolutely clear that without this issue being resolved that will happen and I am doing it deliberately in order to bring the issue to a head because I am satisfied in view of the experience we have had, from the way in which Mr Adams and others have conducted (themselves) that given time he will waste it."
SDLP deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon emerged from the talks claiming the peace process was in "very big trouble and people should realise that".
Deputy First Minister Mallon said: "Unless there is a very serious approach taken by the two governments with all of the parties then the institutions are in danger."
In order to avoid Mr Trimble's resignation, the British and Irish governments will have to come up with a formula before July 1 which delivers enough progress on decommissioning to satisfy unionists and enough concessions on police reforms and demilitarisation to win the support of nationalists.
Nationalists also want guarantees that the political institutions will be allowed to operate fully without unionist interference. That means lifting permanently the Ulster Unionists' ban on Sinn Fein ministers attending cross-border body meetings.
However, if they are unable to reach a solution, the governments will be faced with either Mr Trimble stepping down as First Minister on July 1 and possible Assembly elections in the autumn or suspending the political institutions before his resignation threat comes into effect.
Mr Trimble's anti-Good Friday Agreement opponents in the party are believed to have put on hold their plans to launch a leadership challenge against him until after July 1.
The UUP leader will nevertheless face his critics this Saturday at the annual general meeting of his party's 860-member ruling council.
Emerging from 10 Downing Street, Mr Ahern admitted that he would prefer to have more time to sort out the issues.
But he pointed out that the deadline imposed by Mr Trimble was in line with the governments' own desire to resolve matters before the beginning of the marching season.
Mr Ahern, flanked by Mr Brian Cowen and his junior colleague Ms Liz O'Donnell, admitted there had been "many problems, many obstacles, many difficulties" raised during today's talks.
He said the reality of the peace process, however, was that it had already brought peace and stability to the North and the work needed to go on.
He said: "We all have a responsibility. If anyone indicated today that they did not have a responsibility then they do not live in the real world.
"We will have to find solutions. Solutions can only be found if we all work together "If people are as determined as I am to work on them they will make a lot of progress. If people are not determined to work on them we won't make progress."
PA