The Sinn Fein president has stated that the unionist refusal to engage with his party "at this time" cannot be allowed to dictate the pace of political progress in Northern Ireland.
Mr Gerry Adams told a meeting of party negotiators yesterday that it was now up to the British and Irish governments to ensure that substantive negotiations on all the core issues start on September 15th. "That is the public expectation and the commitment given by London and Dublin," he said.
"Sinn Fein does not want to see any empty seats at the negotiating table.
However, no one can be allowed a veto. The problem for unionist leaders is that they never had to negotiate at any time in the past. Now everything is up for negotiation."
The DUP secretary, Mr Nigel Dodds, said it was now clear that the present talks under the current rules cannot proceed to substantive issues.
"The British government may well try to stagger on under current rules.
However, unless the Ulster Unionist Party goes back on everything it has said on decommissioning, it is impossible for any proposals on a substantive issue to be put to, or even discussed by, parties around the plenary table.
"The talks process, therefore, as presently set up, cannot be made to work."
Mr Dodds said the DUP wants a new process which will permit discussion and negotiation between parties on a bilateral basis, "free from the unacceptable republican baggage which currently encumbers the current process".
