THE deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr John Taylor, said he was not in favour of Senator George Mitchell having any role in negotiations because "his staff members, who presumably reflect his own position, are much too friendly with Gerry Adams for my liking"
Asked in ah RTE radio interview what he thought of the impartiality of Senator Mitchell's report on decommissioning, he replied "Well, it wasn't very impartial. We didn't like it very much, but we decided we would run with it but it certainly wasn't to our liking. It was showing an emphasis that was not pleasant to the greater number of people in Northern Ireland."
Questioned as to what sort of friendship Mr Mitchell's staff members showed towards Mr Adams, Mr Taylor replied. "Well, if you had been at the American Irish dinner on the Thursday night in Washington, you would have seen them in a most friendly relationship with Mr Adams at his table. These were senior members of his staff. I think the behaviour of Senator Mitchell's senior staff members probably reflects what is probably is the thinking within his think tank. I don't think they spoke to either Mr Trimble or me.
Earlier Mr Taylor disagreed with the Tanaiste's interpretation of what was meant by decommissioning in relation to the forthcoming all party talks.
He said Mr Spring's interpretation was entirely different to what the British government and the UUP understood. When it was said that the first issue that had to be addressed was decommissioning, we all understood that that problem had to be resolved, there had to be an agreement as to how the illegal firearms would be decommissioned, and a time scale. That was the first thing that had to be addressed.
"Dick Spring, as ever, yields to IRA influences and pressures and is now trying to misinterpret what that means. He is simply saying that all you have to do is mention the word decommissioning and then move on other subjects. We are not going to accept that."
It was put to Mr Taylor that the document issued by the two governments indicated that other matters could be discussed or negotiated in advance of resolution being reached on decommissioning.
Mr Taylor replied "It may says that, but we disagree with that entirely. We have always made it clear there is no way we are going to speak to the IRA or their political colleagues until the issue of decommissioning has been resolved. We are not going to negotiate with anyone under threat. The formula for decommissioning must be negotiated and agreed. Once that is in place than other subjects can be discussed."
He denied that this gave his party a veto over Sinn Fein's participation in negotiations.