An influential US foreign policy committee has heavily criticised the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, claiming he has "failed to stand up" for the Belfast Agreement.
The National Committee on American Foreign Policy, chaired by wealthy Irish-American Mr Bill Flynn, was in Belfast yesterday to publish as 10-point plan aimed at moving the political process forward. Mr Flynn alleged Mr Trimble was "very weak" in defending the accord.
Among the committee's recommendations was a call for the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement and a statement from paramilitaries that their war was over.
The committee also seeks full implementation of the Patten recommendations on policing and "unconditional support" for the police Service of Northern Ireland.
In seeking restoration of the Stormont institutions, the committee also wants an amendment of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act to restrict or even eliminate British powers to suspend Stormont.
Notably, the committee's recommendations also include a call for the establishment of a Northern Ireland peace commission.
It wants such a body "to monitor those issues agreed upon but not capable of instant implementation and to report periodically to the public and to the British and Irish governments for their response and actions".
However, it was the committee's comments on Mr Trimble which have prompted most controversy.
Mr Flynn, who was influential in securing a US visa for Mr Gerry Adams in 1993, referred to the actions of the unionist leader following his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize.
"One thing that has disappointed us about Mr Trimble was that after receiving the Nobel Peace prize with John Hume, he became very weak in his defence of the agreement."
The committee's president, Dr George Schwab, went further. He suggested Mr Trimble had acted in an unhelpful manner by "constantly issuing ultimatums" and that these had gone beyond what was contained in the agreement.
He said these had destabilised the process. Dr Schwab said: "I have a feeling he may be at the end of his ropes. He may abdicate from the party. The question is what will happen if he were to lose the confidence of his constituency, who will be the victor? Probably Mr Paisley.
"We know the attitude of Mr Paisley . . . may turn out to be another [Richard] Nixon, may turn out to be another [Menachem] Begin - able to deliver something which Mr Trimble has been unable to deliver."
The UUP replied with a two-line statement which claimed that "neither Mr Flynn nor Dr Schwab are taking part in Monday's talks [at Hillsborough]".
Committee members stressed the importance they attached to their idea of a peace commission.