Sinn Fein yesterday welcomed as a "step in the right direction" the paper presented by the two governments on Strands 2 and 3.
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, told a press conference in London that the multiparty talks required the leadership of the two governments and the paper "puts them back into the leadership of this process".
The broad issues that needed to be addressed in the talks were sovereignty and constitutional issues and demilitarisation, including the release of prisoners and the safeguard of human rights. However, he said, the negotiations must also include the creation of new political and democratic structures in Northern Ireland.
In a direct warning to the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr David Trimble, Mr Adams said the continued "lack of engagement" between the parties could lead to a crisis in the talks.
Urging London and Dublin to go "even further" than the Framework Document in addressing the issues in Strands 2 and 3, Mr Adams said Sinn Fein had not come to seek reassurance from the talks but "new arrangements" for the future of Northern Ireland.
During an adjournment of the talks on Monday, Mr Adams attempted to engage the UUP security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, in conversation. However, Mr Adams claimed Mr Maginnis turned on him and said he did not wish to talk to "f. . .ing murderers".
The two sides made no further comment on the exchange, but Mr Adams's recollection of the clash had already been preserved for posterity by TV cameras. Later he condemned the refusal of the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, to talk directly to Sinn Fein.