MR JOHN MAJOR has again insisted that there would have to be "some decommissioning" of terrorist weapons during any future negotiations with Sinn Fein participating.
Writing in today's Irish Times, the British Prime Minister affirms he would like to see Sinn Fein at the talks, but Sinn Fein "exclude themselves" by their words and deeds."We would like to see them there. But there can be no question of them entering the talks without the restoration of a credible and verifiable ceasefire."
That, says Mr Major, "must include an end to all paramilitary activity including the targeting of victims - and a commitment to the principles of democracy and nonviolence." He continues: "We are not interested in tactical manoeuvres from Sinn Fein and the IRA, only a genuine end to violence.
Even if power is set to transfer to Mr Tony Blair and Labour, close observers agreed that Mr Major's statement is a powerful reminder that the decommissioning issue - like the IRA itself - has never gone away, and remains to confront the parties scheduled to resume the inter party talks in early June.
Mr Major's restatement of his position follows yesterday's whirlwind tour of the United Kingdom, including a visit to Belfast, and a rallying cry to the British electorate to reject the "twin threat" of separatism and Eurofederalism.
In his article, the Prime Minister reaffirms his personal commitment to Northern Ireland's continuing Union with Britain, and spells out the parameters of any possible political settlement.
Mr Major says: "I, and the Conservative Party that I lead, cherish Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom."