The Ulster Unionist Party wants changes to power-sharing in the North which would see them form a voluntary coalition Government with the SDLP, David Trimble confirmed today.
The UUP leader said in his party's manifesto that republicans had repeatedly shown they were not prepared to wind down the IRA and as a result, he could not consider going into government with Sinn Fein.
"It is clear, moreover, that the unionist electorate would not support, or tolerate now, or in the foreseeable future, the formation of an executive that would include Sinn Fein," the Upper Bann MP argued.
"If the Republican Movement wish to be included in talks they must rebuild their credibility by fulfilling all their obligations and becoming a purely peaceful democratic movement with no private army."
And despite the SDLP's insistence today in its manifesto that it would not abandon the current power-sharing model, Mr Trimble said: "We have called for the formula that automatically gives parties ministerial appointments to be repealed (the d'Hondt formula).
"An administration could then be formed by the voluntary agreement of the parties concerned.
"In that event, we would seek to form a voluntary coalition with the SDLP. That would give voters the chance to form a cross community administration leaving out the extremists, if they want it and vote for it."
The UUP manifesto, whose launch was delayed by the party for two days after the home and offices of its East Belfast Assembly member Michael Copeland were raided by detectives last week, said the party would oppose a further reduction in police numbers while officers were needed on the streets.
PA