THE TAOISEACH, Mr Bruton, and the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, will be in Belfast next Monday to initiate what it is hoped will prove historic all party negotiations on the future of Northern Ireland following their agreement on the negotiating procedures.
Ground rules for the talks were announced in London yesterday by the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, following the successful conclusion of two days of intensive Anglo Irish discussions.
Mr Bruton and Mr Major will formally open the first plenary session before handing over to the independent chairman of the process, the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell.
As Senator Mitchell, speaking in New York, confirmed his acceptance of the post, the political focus once again switched to the IRA amid growing pressure for a reinstatement of the ceasefire which would enable Sinn Fein to join the process.
Contacts between Government officials and Sinn Fein will continue over the weekend in an attempt to secure an IRA ceasefire before the start of all party negotiations on Monday.
Senior sources in Dublin last night remained hopeful that the ceasefire could be reinstated to facilitate Sinn Fein participation in the talks. However, the signs were "not auspicious". one source said.
Following publication of the agreed framework for the negotiations, President Clinton telephoned both Mr Bruton and Mr Major to offer his congratulations and pledge continuing US support for the process.
The announcement of Senator Mitchell's appointment provoked a storm of unionist protest and sent a tremor through Mr Major's government when one MP, Mr Terry Dicks, threatened to wipe out its Commons majority by resigning the Conservative whip.
At yesterday's Anglo Irish press conference in London Mr Spring directed his words to the republican movement. The package announced, he declared, "represents the best basis we can offer for meaningful. serious, comprehensive and inclusive negotiations".
He declared. "If people want reasons to be at those talks they are contained within this documentation."
That documentation agreed after two days of intense and sometimes angry negotiation between Dublin and London outlines a draft agenda and procedures for the talks.
The Northern Secretary commented. "It is manifest that Sinn Fein have excluded themselves from these negotiations . . . If Sinn Fein want to join this genuine and comprehensive negotiating process, as they should, then they must remove their self imposed exclusion the ceasefire of August 1994 must be unequivocally restored."
Mr John Hume said last night that he hoped the IRA would give "serious consideration" to what both governments had agreed and make a positive response. Speaking on RTE's Prime Time programme, the SDLP leader said that what Sinn Fein had asked for was now agreed. He was asking the IRA to respect the wishes of the Irish people "at home and abroad".
As reported in last Saturday's Irish Times, the Canadian, Gen John de Chastelain, will chair the Strand Two North/South negotiations, with Mr Harri Holkeri, who also served on the International Body on Decommissioning acting as an alternate chairman in any of the independent chairmanship roles. The agreed formula seeks to postpone crucial decisions on decommissioning paramilitary weapons at least until after a review period at the end of September.
Following open plenary discussion of the International Body's proposals on decommissioning Senator Mitchell will be asked to satisfy himself that there are clear indications of good intent on the part of all the participants to work constructively and in good faith to secure the implementation of all aspects of the [Mitchell] report.
Once Senator Mitchell reports that he is satisfied on this, it is proposed that the decommissioning issue will be referred to a subcommittee to be chaired by Senator Mitchell himself which will conduct its deliberations in parallel to the negotiations in the three political strands.
The Government is satisfied with the contents of the finalised agreement hammered out late on Wednesday night and published yesterday in London. It is particularly pleased at having secured a key role for Senator Mitchell. His presence is seen as a vital element in helping to procure another IRA ceasefire since it ensures the central involvement of the US administration in the talks process.
Irish sources last night confirmed that what they considered an iron cast" agreement on Senator Mitchell's role was rejected by Mr Major on Wednesday morning only to be restored in the deal clinched in a telephone conversation between Mr Bruton and Mr Major late on Wednesday night.
The Taoiseach will be accompanied to Monday's opening sessional the talks at Stormont by both the Tanaiste and the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa. It is understood that the Government team at subsequent sessions will be headed by Mr Spring and that the delegation will consist of the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform Minister. Mr Taylor, as well as Mr De Rossa, in his capacity as leader of Democratic Left.