AN attempt to move the multiparty talks process beyond decommissioning to substantive negotiations will be made at tonight's Anglo-Irish Conference meeting at Stormont.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, are scheduled to hold two hours of talks at the first conference meeting since July, when the events at Drumcree held their attention.
The two men will tonight concentrate on how the present stalemate on decommissioning, can be, broken and how the talks process can produce a formula for moving into the so-called three strand phase.
Sources said the Anglo-Irish Conference meeting had "nothing to do" with the ongoing initiative designed to pave the way for a renewed IRA ceasefire and the entry of Sinn Fein into talks. However, success in moving the talks out of their current phase would be seen in Government circles as boosting the possibility of another ceasefire.
Major gaps exist between the participants in the multi-party talks on the issue of decommissioning. The talks have bogged down on the question of how it should be handled and no formula has emerged as to when substantive talks might begin.
The Tanaiste will attend tonight's meeting with the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, and the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne.
The Northern Secretary will be accompanied by the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, who will discuss security with the Garda Commissioner.
Government sources said, tonight's talks had been planned for some time and their significance should not be exaggerated.
A press conference will be held, at Stormont shortly after the talks, end at 10p.m.