The Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, emerged from "positive" talks with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, last night declaring his determination to help the latest attempt to restore Northern Ireland's power-sharing government succeed. Frank Millar, London Editor, reports.
Downing Street was "taking nothing for granted" after Mr Adams and the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, issued effective "holding statements" in response to the final proposals of the British and Irish governments to restore the Stormont Executive.
Mr Adams said his meeting with Mr Blair was "very useful" and signalled that this "work in progress" would see more intensive talks next week.
However, he stressed his purpose was to seek assurances that the governments' proposals "are bedded in the Good Friday agreement", adding that "that shouldn't take very long."
Mr Adams's comments followed Dr Paisley's statement expressing concern that the British/Irish text contained "areas of confusing ambiguity and apparent inconsistency."
On Wednesday night some senior DUP sources suggested that the proposals contained most of the "clarity and certainty" they required and expressed optimism they could lead to the resumption of power- sharing government by March.
However, it is understood Dr Paisley is concerned about an apparent requirement that he would nominate ministers to serve in the new Executive before the completion of IRA decommissioning.
The DUP leader also made it plain he required confirmation from Mr Blair that "in each and every respect the IRA has accepted the nature, extent and particulars" of the proposed agreement as it "impacts on its activities and position."
DUP sources confirmed this relates to the terms in which the IRA is expected to signal its acceptance of paragraph 13 of last year's British-Irish Joint Declaration in respect of the complete cessation of all paramilitary and criminal activity.
Meanwhile, a general air of confusion and doubt deepened further as usually reliable republican sources insisted there is no republican agreement to allow the DUP to nominate one of two clergymen to attend decommissioning overseen by Gen John de Chastelain's International Commission or to provide photographic records of such decommissioning.
There was also surprise in political circles at suggestions that the eventual transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont would be subject to a cross-community vote - and thus to an effective majority unionist veto.
Downing Street continued to refuse to comment on the content of the proposals.
Significantly, however, there was no official denial of reports suggesting that the DUP might have effectively reinstated IRA decommissioning as a pre-condition for Sinn Féin's entry into government.
Mr Adams has explicitly rejected the concept of any period of "quarantine" before acceptance of his party's mandate and entitlements.