Senior Irish and British government officials were last night in intensive negotiations aimed at maximising the chances of President Clinton helping to break the political deadlock in Northern Ireland.
While the governments were trying to agree a common position on decommissioning, demilitarisation and policing, the general view last night was that Mr Clinton's visit would not lead to an immediate breakthrough.
British and Irish sources played down speculation of a "major, sudden" ending of the current impasse, although they hoped the visit might spur movement in the future. The prospects of progress may hinge on a new sequencing deal the two governments are working on. They are trying to agree a new "choreography" arrangement relating to an end to the Ulster Unionist veto on Sinn Fein ministers attending official North-South meetings, IRA reengagement with the decommissioning body, a scaling down of the British security presence in south Armagh and the implementation plan of the Police Act meeting nationalist concerns.
Mr Clinton is due to arrive in Belfast at around 9 p.m. tonight. He will stay at the Hilton hotel and meet politicians at Stormont tomorrow before delivering a keynote speech in the new Odyssey Centre. Up to last night no deal had been agreed that would move the political situation forward, according to British and Irish sources. The Government is maintaining pressure on London to accept some demilitarisation in south Armagh, although this is being resisted by British army chiefs. The First Minister, Mr David Trimble, said yesterday he could lift his ban on Sinn Fein attending North-South Ministerial Council meetings if the Provisional IRA moves on decommissioning. He said he hoped that President Clinton's visit would persuade both republican and loyalist paramilitaries to compromise on disarmament. The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, urged political leaders to use the visit to rededicate themselves to the Belfast Agreement.
"This week is a chance for all of us to re-dedicate ourselves to that work, to think about the progress that has been made. If we do that, I think the benefits will be obvious in the coming weeks," he said.