No agreement from NI talks, but still some hope

The fate of Senator George Mitchell's review and of the Belfast Agreement still hangs in the balance as pro-agreement parties meet again at Stormont today for what are described as "make-your-mind-up negotiations".

There was no breakthrough after 12 hours of talks involving Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP at Castle Buildings, Stormont, yesterday, although some senior sources said there was still a glimmer of hope that the impasse could be broken.

Observers said there was useful engagement yesterday and this was illustrated by the fact that Mr Gerry Adams and Mr David Trimble, with their respective senior Sinn Fein and UUP negotiators, engaged in about five hours of talks, concluding at 9 p.m. last night.

In the final two hours of negotiations, Mr Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness dealt directly with Mr Trimble and Sir Reg Empey, with Senator Mitchell in the chair. The five men spent part of this time having dinner together at Castle Buildings.

Talks insiders said that throughout yesterday, a number of proposals were put forward as a possible means of ending the stalemate over the formation of an executive, but up to last night there were no signs that either Sinn Fein or the UUP had shifted from their fixed positions on disarmament and devolution.

The sources said Mr Trimble, was keen to see the review succeed but that before he could contemplate softening his stance on a prior IRA "commitment" to disarm, he needed some reciprocation from Mr Adams.

SDLP sources expressed frustration that so far, Sinn Fein had not provided any reasonable assurances on disarmament which Mr Trimble could sell to his rank and file, even if these assurances fell short of a specific commitment.

Another senior talks source agreed that Mr Trimble was anxious to see the review succeed and the Belfast Agreement fully implemented, but that he needed assurances from Mr Adams. However, according to some republican sources, Sinn Fein believed that Mr Trimble had no intention of moderating his position on guns and government.

They said that senior Sinn Fein negotiator, Mr Gerry Kelly, briefed the Assembly party on Thursday that there was no hope for the review.

Mr Trimble disputed this analysis. "Unlike some others, I have not written the agreement off," he said yesterday afternoon.

It was unclear last night whether any possible areas of compromise opened up during the final two hours of discussions. The Sinn Fein and UUP politicians left Castle Buildings at 9 p.m. without speaking to reporters.

In a brief comment to reporters about 7 p.m. last night, Sinn Fein vice-chairman Mr Pat Doherty said: "We know there is little time left but we are in there doing our best and the dialogue and negotiations continue."

The pro-agreement parties return to Stormont this morning for what may be a long and tense day of negotiations. Senator Mitchell believes he has at least concentrated minds and that it should emerge today whether a deal is possible.

One insider said last night: "Tomorrow is make your mind up time."

Later however, a spokesman for Senator Mitchell said the senator had not yet decided whether there would be any point in prolonging the discussions beyond today.

If the makings of an agreement are in place he may see the talks through to early next week, it is understood. But if there is no shift from entrenched stances he could may wind up proceedings.

The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, said in west Belfast yesterday: "All the parties are talking well at Castle Buildings. We've just got to be very patient indeed and we need to take as long as it takes."