A CLEAR public assurance that all party talks will begin by a set date, without preconditions, could pave the way for the reestablishment of the IRA ceasefire, senior republican sources have indicated.
Other sources said last night that the provision of a fixed date for talks running to an inclusive agenda and an agreed time frame would leave the Sinn Fein leadership with a "winnable argument" to take to the IRA.
"If we have talks, we are witnessing at last the start of a process into which people are locked and cannot walk away. This applies as much to republicans as it does to the unionists and the British," one senior source said.
However, they also expressed concern that the Government, in its determination to achieve a date for all party talks, would agree to a package containing potential obstacles down the road.
"We are worried that the package could contain intermediate steps between here and talks that could push all party dialogue back or render a date for such talks meaningless.
"There is no point in setting a date if people have to go through numerous hoops to get to the table. That means the process is pushed back again, as it was repeatedly over the 18 months of the ceasefire," one source said.
Like the SDLP, Sinn Fein has set its face against an election to an assembly, but it is believed the party would defend its mandated in the event of elections by a list system.
Sources said last night they would not comment on elections since their precise purpose and aim were not clear. Neither was it clear what time frame would be adopted in holding this vote.
The Sinn Fein leadership has never given its detailed reaction to the six principles laid down in the Mitchell report. However, it is thought the report's inexact language relating to decommissioning during talks would allow the party to respond positively.