GOVERNMENT sources were pessimistic last night about the prospect of early agreement on Senator George Mitchell having an "over arching role" as chairman of the plenary session of the talks.
The Government had consultations with the British side after yesterday's plenary session was adjourned. Afterwards, Irish sources expressed satisfaction that both governments were determined to secure Senator Mitchell as chairman.
They had feared the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, might waver on Senator Mitchell's appointment because of the strength of the unionist resistance at yesterday's session, but they were satisfied last night that the British accepted any attempt to emasculate his role in order to surmount yesterday's inter party difficulties would guarantee the loss of a potential IRA ceasefire.
While the Irish side had anticipated that Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Robert McCartney would oppose Senator Mitchell, Mr David Trimble's sustained arguments took Government sources by surprise.
Fears were being expressed last night that if agreement was not reached on Senator Mitchell's role when the talks resume today, the whole edifice put in place to secure an IRA ceasefire and inclusive all party talks could crumble.
