The SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party have finally begun tackling the critical problem of creating new North-South arrangements which could meet the demands of nationalists without totally antagonising unionists.
The UUP and the SDLP met at Stormont yesterday. There was some preliminary discussion of a proposal from SDLP leader Mr John Hume suggesting a European Union-type model for new North-South structures.
Modelled on the European Council of Ministers, the proposal envisages a north-south executive body comprised of members from the Irish Government and a Northern Ireland assembly which would have joint decision-taking powers.
However, after decisions were made it would be up to the Government and the Northern Assembly to dictate separately the pace of implementation in each jurisdiction.
This is similar to the European Council of Ministers system, under which each government decides how and when European Council directives might be enacted.
The UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, has hitherto opposed a North-South executive, primarily on the grounds that it would be a "united Ireland in embryo." But the SDLP is arguing that its model could not be so construed - as it would be for the assembly itself to govern when and how decisions were taken.
Mr Trimble, speaking before the meeting with the SDLP, declined to comment on the proposal yesterday, saying he was unaware of its detail.
"We will wait until we get such specific proposals put to us in order to explore them," he added.
The SDLP deputy leader, Mr Seamus Mallon, said it would be for each jurisdiction to implement the decisions taken jointly.
"The cross-border institutions would have executive power as exercised by the respective ministers in charge of their respective departments," he explained.
"That would be something based on the European model, and they would have the power of decision with the support of their colleagues within the Northern Ireland Assembly, if there is one, and Dail Eireann."
New North-South structures could not be labelled an "embryonic united Ireland" when any executive decisions taken would require the support of the UUP, said Mr Mallon.
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, again warned that the refusal of the UUP to negotiate directly with his party is jeopardising the chances of a political settlement.
"A peace process without Sinn Fein is not worth a penny candle," he said following a meeting with the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam.
He welcomed the fact that Mr Trimble was talking to the Government and the SDLP, but said that the talks must be inclusive to succeed.
"We do, without being patronising, see the unionist leaders trying to minimise the possibility of change because they are afraid of change. The governments, particularly the British government, must be the engine which drives this process," said Mr Adams.
Mr Trimble rejected the criticism. He said it was Sinn Fein which was not engaging properly in the talks.
Ahead of next week's plenary review of progress to date, Mr Trimble added that it was now getting to the stage where decisions must be taken. "The initial issue is that there is a Northern Ireland . . . and that will involve an acceptance by Sinn Fein of partition, and I hope they are ready to make that progress when the time comes."
Dr Mowlam hoped the current round of intensive consultations would inject fresh momentum into the process. She wanted the talks to be inclusive and hoped the UUP would engage with Sinn Fein.
"I can't force people to open their mouths and look at each other. But I can create the situation where that becomes more possible. I think the amount of talking that is going on should not be underplayed, and that is a plus.
"Yes, we have a way to go, but let's look at the progress we are making at the moment, and not throw it away," she added.
Deaglan de Breadun writes:
The challenge to the leadership of the republican movement from anti-peace process dissidents which had been widely forecast in recent weeks now appears to have dissipated.
Speculation that a sister of a prominent republican who died on hunger strike was about to denounce the leadership has so far proven unfounded. It is understood the dead man's mother intervened to prevent a breaking of ranks.
Claims by dissident republicans that most members of the First Battalion of the IRA in South Armagh had resigned in an anti-leadership move have so far not been substantiated and are being regarded with increasing scepticism.
The Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said in a statement that his party was still striving to establish a democratic socialist republic. "Whilst republicans recognise that a 32-county socialist republic will not be realised next May, this still remains our ultimate objective," he said.
