The Ulster Unionist leader has said that he is confident the party's ruling Council will support the deal on devolution agreed with the help of Senator George Mitchell. However, he has again called on Sinn Féin to clarify the commitment of Republicans to decommissioning. He also indicated that the Northern Secretary might soon announce a date when he expects the IRA to start handing over weapons, if the proposed institutions are to continue.
David Trimble has five days before putting to the Ulster Unionist ruling Council the formula that ties the establishment of an Executive and cross-border institutions with the process of decommissioning. In a Sunday Telegraph interview, he explained the route towards his party's objective of no guns, no government had varied, but the proposals would bring them to the same destination.
Reports this morning suggested that the Northern Secretary was preparing to set a deadline at the end of January for the hand-over of IRA weapons to commence, in an attempt to win over sceptical Unionists. Speaking on Sky News, the Ulster Unionist leader said that he expected Peter Mandelson to reveal more details very soon. He again called on the Sinn Féin leadership to clarify reported remarks over decommissioning by two senior party members last week.
Nevertheless, Mr Trimble said that he believes they had agreed a package his party could accept. He will now be attempting to convince rank and file members of the party that all the elements are now in place for making a deal with Republicans and Nationalists. He will also be expecting to get an indication from his deputy leader John Taylor who was away last week whether he is prepared to change his mind and support the deal when it is debated by the ruling Council on Saturday.
