The onus is on republicans next week to "surprise" people in crucial peace process negotiations by making a significant gesture on IRA arms, Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble said today.
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Mr David Trimble
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A week after resigning as Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr Trimble said he was not hopeful about the prospect of a breakthrough in Monday's make-or-break talks in Shropshire.
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minister Mr Blair summoned the main pro-Agreement parties for the two-day crisis meeting in the hopes of reaching an agreement.
But Mr Trimble said: "I have had discussions with these gentlemen (in Sinn Fein) before.
"On the past record there isn't much to be hopeful about but I hope they can do it. It's up to them. Let them surprise us. I hope they can."
The Ulster Unionist leader said he saw no reason why if the parties failed to reach agreement during nest week's talks he should have to fall on his own sword.
He told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politicsprogramme he was determined to stick at the task of creating a peaceful and democratic Northern Ireland whose population was at ease with itself.
Mr Trimble repeated his belief that the failure of the IRA to honour its promise in May 2000 to put its weapons beyond use had weakened public confidence in their statements.
"What they now must do is keep the promise," the Upper Bann MP said."In other words, I am not interested in another promise. I have had a promise. That wasn't kept."
Earlier, the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid damped down hopes of a breakthrough at next week's talks and warned the peace process was in a "critical phase".
"I wouldn't want to raise optimism," he told the BBC Radio 4 Todayprogramme.
He said all the parties know what the outstanding issues are and it is up to them to live up to their commitment to resolve them.
Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams has also played down hopes, saying decommissioning could only be achieved as part of a genuine conflict resolution process.
"Sinn Fein accepts our responsibilities on the arms issue," he said. "All the other parties have exactly the same responsibility."
PA