A DEMAND that Sinn Fein's entry to all party talks on the future of Northern Ireland must be preceded by credible IRA action on arms decommissioning, was restated by the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr David Trimble, in Dublin yesterday.
Meanwhile, a signal was given yesterday that loyalist paramilitaries had for the moment resolved the internal tensions which had threatened the stability of their ceasefire.
A message addressed to the Government from the UVF, through an intermediary, has indicated that there will be no repeat in the near future of incidents such as last weekend's bomb hoax at Dublin Airport.
A UVF representative is said to have conveyed the message to the Dublin Peace Train campaigner, Mr Chris Hudson. He has acted previously as a mediator between the UVF and the Government.
Mr Hudson said yesterday in a statement believed to have been agreed with the UVF. "From what I understand from the UVF we could be optimistic halting else will happen in the near future."
After his speech to the Institute of Directors in Dublin Mr Trimble had inconclusive talks with the Taoiseach at his home in Dunboyne, Co Meath.
The Government spokesman said, after the meeting, that the two leaders had a general discussion "which focused on the future". It was stated to be useful, friendly informal and relaxed.
"Both were of the view that contact is useful for maximising mutual understandings of each other's positions. It was a one to one meeting," the Government spokesman said.
The main theme of Mr Trimble's address to business leaders in Dublin was to deplore the use of what he regarded as spurious economic arguments for cross Border institutions which really had a political purpose.
He specifically rejected the concept of a Belfast Dublin economic corridor, a joint tourist authority for the whole island and joint representation in negotiations with Brussels.
Speaking to journalists' after lunch with the Institute of Directors in Ireland he said the first step to allow Sinn Fein to participate in talks was a reinstatement of the IRA ceasefire but this alone was not sufficient.
"It has to be followed by the commitment to peace and democracy in the Mitchell Report. If this is not given in a satisfactory manner then the parties which fail to give it will exclude themselves from the talks," he said.
He quoted the Mitchell report when it said that there must be action on decommissioning "before, during and after" talks.
But he saw and particular merit in Senator Mitchell being asked to chair Strand Two of the talks, "in view of the American presidential elections and the pressures Senator Mitchell might be under". Sir Ninian Stephen had already agreed to do this, though he did not know if he was still available, he said, referring to the Australian judge.
There is continuing speculation in Whitehall that the former senator might be invited to play a key role in the all party negotiations due to begin on June 10th.
One idea being canvassed is that the International Body might be reconvened, opening the way for Senator Mitchell's involvement at the very beginning of the process and that he might then assume the chairmanship of the Strand Two North/South talks.
But no decision was made on that at yesterday's meeting of the Liaison Group of senior British and Irish officials in London.
The Irish delegation had been anxious to secure agreement on what would happen on June 10th and in the process that follows. It also wants to establish how the British government intends to prevent the decommissioning issue blocking forward movement on the political agenda.