AN attempt by the DUP to expel the fringe loyalist parties dominated the first day of the resumed "multi party talks at Stormont. In a separate development, the SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party signalled their intention to co operate to try to inject momentum into the negotiations.
The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) expressed confidence yesterday that they could successfully overcome an attempt by the DUP to force their ejection from the talks because of the death threats issued against two dissident loyalists, Mr Billy. Wright and Mr Alex Kerr.
Comments made by the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, indicated that they are anxious to keep the two loyalist parties at the talks table.
Under rule 29 of the rules of procedures, it will now be up to the British and Irish governments to decide whether the two loyalist parties should be expected from the talks because of the death threats issued by the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC).
The PUP and the UDP have combined to write a joint paper which, according to the UDP leader, Mr Gary McMichael, will totally rebut allegations that they are in breach of the Mitchell principles on democracy and non violence. The two governments and the other parties will consider the paper today, after which the governments must decide what if any, action is appropriate.
The Tanaiste said that it would be wrong to give any indication of what stance the Government would take on the matter until it had considered the submission from the two parties today. However, Mr Spring signalled his preference that the two parties should be allowed to stay in the talks.
The Northern Secretary while deploring the death threats also indicated that he would prefer if the loyalist parties were not ejected. He also said that the two governments were well advanced in drawing up legislation which would deal with the mechanics of any actual decommissioning.
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, said that the continued participation in the talks of the two loyalist parties now lay in their own hands. If the PUP and UDP were allowed to remain in the talks while refusing to condemn the loyalist death threats that would "open the door" for Sinn Fein to enter the talks.
"Failure to distance themselves totally from the murder threat will signal the immediate expulsion of the fringe parties from Stormont," Dr Paisley insisted. If the parties were not expelled, and the threat remained in force, the DUP would seek a judicial review to overturn such a decision, he added.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, and the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, indicated after a meeting between the two parties yesterday afternoon that they could do business together. "I think it is a very positive development that we are having these bilaterals," said Mr Hume. Central to their discussions is whether they can agree that the issue of decommissioning can be addressed in parallel to other discussions rather than have to be resolved as the first item on the talks agenda.
Asked whether the two parties could reach a compromise on the issue of decommissioning, Mr Hume would only say that they were addressing a "comprehensive" range of issues.
Mr Trimble, while being more guarded, described the meeting with Mr Hume as "useful".
The talks chairman, Mr George Mitchell, rejected as "unfounded and untrue" media speculation that he was considering pulling out of the talks because of the slow progress. "While there will continue to be occasional days when my presence elsewhere will be necessary, I remain deeply and totally committed to this process and will continue to do all I can to be of assistance," he said in a statement.
