The Irish and British Governments' package of proposals to rescue the Good Friday Agreement will fail unless there is actual movement on IRA weapons, it was claimed tonight.
With the governments' proposals expected to be in the hands of the North’s pro-Agreement parties next week, unionists said they would be monitoring closely the republican response to the disarmament section of the document.
"There can be no fine words or promises any more," a pro-Agreement UUP source said. "For power sharing, there really is going to have to be an event from republicans. We need proof that the IRA has decommissioned."
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister Mr Blair finalised the proposals on decommissioning, policing, demilitarisation and the operation of the institutions after an early morning meeting in Sedgefield.
Reaction among the parties was mixed following yesterday’s call by Ulster Unionist MPs Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and Mr David Burnside's on their party to withdraw from the process, the power sharing executive and Assembly in protest at concessions to nationalists and republicans.
Mr Donaldson said today: "I think that the two prime ministers are engaged in a phony misrepresentation of the facts. The reality is that if the document is now ready why can't it be published today?
"What is the delay if it isn't about continuing negotiations with Sinn Fein/IRA. It's time for Tony Blair to come clean with the people of Northern Ireland instead of hiding behind a subterfuge of spin."
SDLP deputy leader Mr Seamus Mallon said it was vital the Irish and British governments' document really marked the end of the negotiations to resolve the problems in the peace process.
Mr Mallon said the most crucial factor in the document to be presented next week was the substance. That meant it would have to deliver the objectives of the Belfast Agreement, the institutions set up under those objectives and embody the ethos of the Belfast Agreement, he said.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly said the party would have preferred to see the package agreed by the two governments released today.
Pro-Agreement unionist sources were tonight urging colleagues to keep their heads until the package arrives.
"There have been leaks on policing this week which have given the impression the concessions are towards nationalism," one source said.
"However we should wait for the whole thing. I would put it to you if the governments are going to put forward a package they believe will work, it will have to be strong on decommissioning. That's the only way it will work."
Acting First Minister Sir Reg Empey said the package to be presented by the two governments must finally address the issue of disarmament.
Sir Reg said he wanted to see a report from the head of the decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain, stapled to the back of the Government's paper confirming that disarmament has actually commenced or was about to begin.
"If this issue isn't addressed along the lines we have been articulating over the past few months then it isn't a package."
He said if the matter was not resolved within the next two weeks there would inevitably be a suspension of the institutions or fresh elections.
PA