THE British government has again signalled its intention of seeking a speedy start to the process of decommissioning paramilitary weapons in the context of the Stormont talks process.
The North's security minister, Sir John Wheeler, told MPs yesterday that "the commitment to decommissioning" was the most important of the many "keys on the key ring".
Reaffirming British insistence that the IRA must first reinstate its ceasefire as the price of Sinn Fein's admission to negotiations, Sir John said. "If Sinn Fein is to be part of the process, first must come the ceasefire, unequivocal.
"Second must come the signing up to the six Mitchell principles. Then there must be an honouring, and it will be during the process of the first few weeks after that that some start towards the decommissioning must take place."
Sir John was replying to a question from a Tory MP, Mr Nicholas Winterton, who declared that decommissioning was "the only key to the door of a genuine ceasefire and a lasting peace".
Speaking during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Winterton said it would be a betrayal of the people of Northern Ireland "if the government allowed terrorists to retain their weapons."
Sir John told him "The most important key of all is the commitment to decommissioning ... Once made it must be honoured."
The Mid Ulster MP, the Rev William McCrea, claimed the IRA was "regrouping, restocking and retraining in the weaponry of war".
"A mere declaration to the Mitchell principles will not be acceptable," he told Sir John. "In actual fact there has to be surrender of weapons and the teeth of war if we're going to have peace.
A Tory MP, Mr Andrew Robathan, accused the IRA of "playing cynical games" with the peace process, and urged Sir Patrick Mayhew to ensure that "Sinn Fein are not allowed anywhere near peace negotiations unless there is a total, a genuine and a permanent commitment to peace.
During exchanges, Sir Patrick said the decommissioning of arms "is a question of confidence and there can be no compatibility in a democracy with the retention of arms for the purpose of securing political advantage."
Sir Patrick later agreed with Mr David Trimble, who argued that Sinn Fein could "have their mandate recognised" by attending today's meeting of the newly elected Forum in Belfast.
Mr Trimble said "If they fail to do so, then we can only conclude that their commitment to democracy is as hypocritical as their commitment to peace.
Sir Patrick replied "I very much agree. The purpose of the forum is to promote dialogue and understanding within Northern Ireland.
"If Sinn Fein are not prepared to take their place in a body with such objectives, what conclusion should be drawn?"
Dr Mo Mowlam, the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, welcomed the appointment of Mr George Mitchell to chair the talks process.
She told Sir Patrick "It is unfortunate that the failure of the constitutional parties to reach agreement has turned attention away from the crucial fact that it is the absence of a ceasefire that is keeping Sinn Fein from the talks."