The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) confirmed yesterday that its first detailed report on the extent of paramilitary activity would be published "early" next month, sparking a new quarrel between the Rev Ian Paisley and Mr David Trimble.
The IMC's findings will also have implications for the renewed attempts by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to break the political logjam.
They travel to Hillsborough next Tuesday to try to inject a new sense of momentum into the stalled political process, concentrating on efforts to persuade the IRA and other paramilitaries to end activity.
The IMC hopes to have its report published before Easter. It will deal with paramilitarism in general, but will also focus on the alleged IRA foiled abduction of republican dissident Mr Bobby Tohill over three weeks ago.
The fallout from the Tohill incident is threatening the review of the Belfast Agreement, and the overall attempts to restore devolution.
The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr Trimble, led his party from the review over the incident, while the DUP insisted that Sinn Féin should be expelled from the review.
The four-member international IMC, which is chaired by the former speaker of the Assembly, Lord Alderdice, has now decided to issue its report in April rather than May following representations from the Irish and British governments.
Mr Trimble, who is in the US for the St Patrick's week celebrations, said the IMC's decision was a "vindication" of his decision to pull out of the review.
"We had made it perfectly clear that it was a pointless exercise to discuss the mechanics of the institutions (of the agreement) when it is perfectly clear that the paralysis affecting the institutions is down to on-going paramilitary activity."
He also welcomed next week's meeting between Mr Ahern and Mr Blair.
"We were derided by our detractors for walking away, and for making our call for the focus of talks to be on paramilitarism. But it is now apparent that the Prime Minister and Taoiseach, unlike the DUP, have responded to our call."
The DUP leader, Dr Paisley, however, accused Mr Trimble of rewriting history.
"Mr Trimble is desperately seeking a way to make himself appear relevant in a process that carries on without him. It was the DUP, not the UUP, who met with the IMC immediately after the Tohill affair.
"It was the DUP, and not the UUP, who made a direct appeal to the commissioners to produce an earlier report.
"It was the DUP, and not the UUP, who pressed the (British) government in meetings inside the talks for a speedy IMC report."
Dr Paisley added: "It is very clear that the IRA have yet again breached their so-called ceasefire.
"The government must act and act quickly to remove Sinn Féin/IRA from the process, and take away all of their perks and privileges - privileges which Mr Trimble and the UUP gave away as part of the concession-ridden Belfast Agreement process."
