EARLY indications are that all the invited parties will turn up at Castle Buildings in the grounds of Stormont on Monday, where the opening session of ground breaking negotiations aimed at a political settlement will take place in undistinguished conference room.
considerable uncertainty persists over how long some of the delegations will stay once the opening statements are completed and the meeting begins to address the controversial questions of an agenda and an approach to decommissioning.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose spokesmen expressed fury yesterday at the planned role for Senator George Mitchell, is expected to decide today on its tactics for Monday. Some form of ostentatious protest is certain, with a staged withdrawal from the proceedings also possible.
The start of the talks is also expected to be marked by the debarring of Sinn Fein, not invited to send a delegation because the IRA has not revoked its campaign of violence.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said last night if a renewal of the IRA's ceasefire is forthcoming, even five minutes before Monday's proceedings, Sinn Fein should be brought into the talks.
Although the prospects of such an IRA initiative in the time remaining are extremely remote the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, pledged a measured and constructive" approach to the agreed London Dublin format.
There is speculation, therefore, that a ceasefire might be called later which would enable Sinn Fein to join the process.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, said he was reserving judgment on the governments' arrangements. He would need to meet Senator Mitchell and the other outside chairmen to assess the acceptability of their roles.
The leader of the UK Unionist Party, Mr Robert McCartney, expressed grave reservations about the plans devised by the governments. He said he would attempt to meet the leaders of the unionist parties before Monday to seek a joint position on the talks.
The SDLP welcomed the appointments of Senator Mitchell and his colleagues, as did the Alliance leader, Dr John Alderdice, who warned, however, against expectations of success for the talks in view of the heightened polarisation of the parties and recent hard line IRA statements.