Mr David Trimble today moves to ward off a mounting challenge to his leadership by promising his party its entry into government with Sinn Fein can be time-limited to ensure decommissioning follows devolution.
In an interview with The Irish Times on the eve of a historic meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council, Mr Trimble acknowledges unionist concerns "about an open-ended process, where you get sucked along and then hung out to dry".
Clearly aware that the outcome of tomorrow's vote could turn on his performance, Mr Trimble offers no detail of his planned strategy.
However, he indicates it may be closely tied to the developing role of the International Decommissioning Commission, saying: "I know there's an issue there to address. I think actually when people see the outworking of the De Chastelain Commission they will see that it is going to be addressed through that. But I'm aware of the concern [that the IRA might not deliver decommissioning], and we'll see what we can do about it."
The Ulster Unionist leader - clearly now facing a concerted drive by anti-agreement activists, headed by his predecessor Lord Molyneaux - denies that he intends to quit the power-sharing executive if actual decommissioning has not started by January 31st. He says he would "regard publicly setting a date as wholly counterproductive".
At the same time, Mr Trimble says: "It's not open-ended. It's very definitely not. I would say to the party: `Don't worry about having to trust Sinn Fein, or the Irish Government, or the British government. Trust yourselves. This cannot work without the participation of the Ulster Unionist Party'. So, at the end of the day, whatever anyone else might do or say or think, it is our decision . . . We have within ourselves the capacity to put a term to things."
After earlier predictions of an "overwhelming majority" by his camp, Mr Trimble's comments will be interpreted as recognition that his party opponents have been waging a serious campaign within the UUP's constituency organisation, and that he has a fight on his hands.
Amid allegations of "dirty tricks" and with "spin doctoring" the order of the day, all projections are rightly treated with the utmost caution. However, ahead of a planned meeting tonight of the Orange Order's representation to the UUC, well-placed sources expressed confidence that some 90 of its 120 delegates were set to oppose the devolution/ decommissioning deal.
In the interview Mr Trimble insists he "very much" expects to win, and refuses direct answers when asked if he would resign, and if he would accept the majority verdict of his party should it go against him.
However, he insists: "Whatever happens, I'm not going to turn my back on the party or this process." When asked if he might "do a Faulkner" and leave his party behind, if he felt he had sufficient Assembly support to save the Belfast Agreement, Mr Trimble replies: "I'm not another Brian Faulkner, have not been at any point in this process".
As to whether Mr John Taylor's opposition would make the difference between victory and defeat, Mr Trimble said it would make "a huge personal difference" to him. He said he respected Mr Taylor's judgment and was in continuing discussion with him.
Asked if he could now object to Sinn Fein's participation in the proposed new police board, Mr Trimble says: "I've heard some republicans refer to the proposal that they should have two out of the 19 seats as being a `poisoned chalice', and it would be one which would certainly challenge them to act responsibly with regard to policing in Northern Ireland."