LONDON and Dublin have not yet agreed the terms of a statement designed to secure an IRA ceasefire and Sinn Fein's entry into the political process.
This was made clear last night as speculation swept Westminster that Mr John Major's eagerly awaited statement on the talks process was imminent.
It is understood no progress was made at Wednesday night's meeting of the Anglo Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Belfast. And there was anxiety in Irish circles last night at suggestions that Mr Major was preparing to act unilaterally. The fear is that a definitive statement by Mr Major without prior agreement would not have the desired result and could have the opposite.
Downing Street denied media reports that the Prime Minister had plans to make a statement on the issue next week in the House of Commons. It was also made clear that any such statement would have to have the approval of the British cabinet's Northern Ireland Committee. And officials insisted they knew of no plans for such a committee meeting.
However, Mr David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist leader, said he had asked the British government "to put the discussions they've been having with John Hume in the public domain."
Speaking after a one hour meeting with Mr Major at Westminster, Mr Trimble added: "I believe that the government are going to make a statement sooner rather than later the sooner the better."
Referring to the SDLP leader's with the Prime Minister, Mr Trimble said: "With people knowing this sort of thing is going on, it is very necessary to have a public statement. The longer goes on the greater the concern.
He continued: "The fact that these discussions are going on, and the sense of things being done behind backs, is a very sensitive thing in Northern Ireland. I'm glad the (British) government appreciates the need to make a statement as quickly as possible."
Mr Trimble appeared confident that the planned statement would not meet demands for Sinn Fein's immediate entry to the process, following the restoration of the ceasefire and Sinn Fein's acceptance of the Mitchell principles. He said the legislation governing the process required "a commitment to peaceful means and the democratic process" as well as "the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire". Quoting Sir Patrick Mayhew, he said they needed "the combination of what they say and what they do" and repeated his view that "time will be needed to assess that".
Irish Government and SDLP circles are certain that the suggestion of a time lapse, with the decision on Sinn Fein's entry to be determined at a non defined point by Sir Patrick, will not secure a second ceasefire. And it is understood the British gave no indication of their thinking on this during Wednesday's meeting between Sir Patrick and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring.
Sources also made clear last night that there is continuing disagreement on how the issue of decommissioning paramilitary weapons should be dealt with. The Ulster Unionists are pressing for the appointment of an International Verification Commission, and the enactment of the enabling legislation to provide the necessary immunities in a decommissioning process.
The UUP is also seeking specific language to cover the timetabling of such a process.
The SDLP regards unionist proposals tabled at the Stormont talks last week as an attempt to reinstate the "Washington 3" demand for decommissioning ahead of substantive negotiations. And, while Dublin is eager for a compromise on the "mechanisms" for decommissioning, it believes it will only happen, if at all, in the context of inclusive and meaningful political negotiations.