THE British and Irish governments are working together on proposals to break the impasse over decommissioning in the Stormont talks, according to Irish Government sources.
It is also understood a third meeting between British civil servants and Sinn Fein will take place next week provided there is no IRA violence in the interim.
Meanwhile, the British government has been accused by Sinn Fein of "abdicating its responsibilities" on decommissioning. Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams said the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, had encouraged unionist intransigence with her statement that the issue had to be resolved to the satisfaction of the participants in the talks.
An Irish Government source said the issue "has to be dealt with soon, otherwise the talks will lose all momentum and credibility."