AS THE International Body finalises its report on the decommissioning of paramilitary arms, disagreement has surfaced about whether it can deal with the controversial unionist proposal for a Northern Ireland assembly.
The Government, Fianna Fail, the SDLP and Sinn Fein have all expressed their opposition to the assembly proposed by the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble.
Although he has said that elected Sinn Fein members could discuss decommissioning in such an assembly, it is seen by its opponents as a tactic to keep Sinn Fein out of all party political talks for a lengthy period.
However, a substantial shift in Sinn Fein policy on an assembly was indicated yesterday by the party's chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.
He said that if an Irish Times report of a British government proposal to establish a 45 member elected body in the North was accurate, then Sinn Fein would give very serious consideration to the proposition". He added that it would go "some way" towards meeting Sinn Fein's requirements for all party talks.
Mr McLaughlin stressed that his comments did not contradict regular statements by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, that an elected assembly was a "non runner".
"We would give serious consideration to any new British government proposal for an elected forum, but we would have to be satisfied with the detail," Mr McLaughlin told The Irish Times last night.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said yesterday after meeting the three members of the International Body headed by Mr George Mitchell that any discussion of the assembly must be dealt with in the separate political talks which are meant to include Sinn Fein.
But the British government is reported to take the view that the International Body can make recommendations about an assembly
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, appeared to concede in an RTE interview yesterday that the body was entitled to consider proposals for an assembly.
Government sources also seemed resigned to the likelihood that the body's report, due at the end of next week, will refer to the assembly when making proposals on decommissioning.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr, Bertie Ahern, insisted yesterday, however, that the assembly was not part of the International Body's remit.
It is believed that when Fianna Fail tried to raise with the body the question of legally held arms in Northern Ireland it was made" clear that this was outside the remit of the body, whose terms of, reference refer explicitly to paramilitary arms. Fianna Fail appears to assume this means that the assembly proposal is also excluded.
Mr Mitchell denied at a press conference after the meeting with the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste a report in a British newspaper that the body was likely to propose an elected assembly as a way round the impasse over decommissioning.
"The Taoiseach, standing beside Mr Mitchell, refused to answer a question as to whether the assembly had been discussed. He said this matter was for discussion in the political track rather than in the track being covered by the body".
The Government had indicated in the communique setting up the twin track process last month its "willingness" to discuss the assembly proposal in the political track and "the Tanaiste stands ready to do so".
Later the members of the body met separately delegations from Sinn Fein and the SDLP. Following the meetings in Dublin Castle, both Mr Adams and the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, repeated their strong opposition to the setting up of an assembly.
Some of the confusion over the rem it of the body arises from the fact that Mr Trimble has proposed that the assembly could discuss decommissioning of paramilitary arms without preconditions.
So while the Government and Sinn Fein are willing to have the assembly discussed as part of political talks, Mr Trimble and possibly the British government see the assembly as the right way to tackle decommissioning.
Meanwhile, yesterday the Irish Republican Socialist Party issued a statement saying it was considering a request that it make a submission to the Mitchell Commission. Its ardchomhairle would meet today.
The International Body travels to Belfast today.