'Raft of concessions' predicted

A leading UUP dissident says he expects "a major raft of concessions to republicans" to emerge from talks following talks between…

A leading UUP dissident says he expects "a major raft of concessions to republicans" to emerge from talks following talks between the British and Irish governments and the pro-agreement parties on Monday.

UUP MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson said he expected the governments to put "very definitive proposals" to the parties. "There will be a major raft of concessions to republicans on security, policing and freedom from prosecution for Provisional IRA members on the run.

"I also expect proposals to make suspending the Executive impossible in future. It will effectively be an implementation plan covering all aspects of the agreement.

" I expect the establishment of an oversight commission to see through the deal and monitor its implementation. "I certainly don't think this deal would be enough for unionists. Why should the IRA be rewarded for targeting people like me and causing the collapse of the Assembly?"

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Mr Donaldson was told earlier this week that his personal details were contained in intelligence documents seized in west Belfast.

The discovery has been linked to the Provisional IRA.

He said the "bottom line" for unionists in any new deal was "the disarmament and disbandment of the IRA". Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist sources are confident that there will be no challenges to Mr Trimble's leadership at a meeting of the party's ruling body tomorrow.

Several hundred delegates are expected to attend the UUC's annual general meeting in Belfast.

All the party officers, including the leader, will be standing for re-election.

However, while Mr Trimble might not be re-elected unanimously, party sources believed there will be no leadership challenge. Anti-agreement unionist figures also ruled out the possibility of someone from their ranks standing against him.

Mr Trimble's speech to delegates is expected to be hard-hitting and to set the tone for Monday's talks with the two governments.