Hope still alive for breakthrough in Ulster talks

A flicker of hope remained alive over the weekend that real progress might yet be made in the Mitchell review of the Good Friday agreement, which is to continue this week. Although a breakthrough that would bridge the gap between the unionist and republican positions remains elusive, most of those with knowledge of the talks are saying that real dialogue has been taking place.

A flicker of hope remained alive over the weekend that real progress might yet be made in the Mitchell review of the Good Friday agreement, which is to continue this week. Although a breakthrough that would bridge the gap between the unionist and republican positions remains elusive, most of those with knowledge of the talks are saying that real dialogue has been taking place.

Talks are to continue in Belfast today and tomorrow, with former US Senator George Mitchell returning to the fray on Wednesday.

According to one report, Senator Mitchell has advanced the idea of an early setting up of a new cross-community executive together with the speedy establishment of the range of other institutions laid out in the Good Friday agreement. While this would be music to the ears of Sinn Fein, republicans would in return have to make significant moves on arms decommissioning, as has been demanded by David Trimble's Ulster Unionist party.

Closure on such a deal is, however, some distance away, though the fact that unionists and republicans are now talking intensively face to face, and even dining together, has encouraged many close observers.

Reliable sources say that a feature of the talks, which have dragged on in various forms for more than a year, has been that Sinn Fein has been much more forthcoming with the British and Irish governments than they have with the unionists. One source said: "It's very difficult to pin Martin McGuinness down if he doesn't want to make eye contact, you know."

Close observers say that in recent days the unionist-republican engagement has been qualitatively different, with real dialogue on the substantive issues. Ulster Unionist negotiator Dermot Nesbitt told the BBC's Breakfast with Frost programme: "The mood has changed, the overall ambience is better, but I wouldn't want to put it stronger than a glimmer of hope. The underlying problem still needs to be resolved."

Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said: "We are in a situation which can be described by all the political parties as a society which is moving out of conflict. That is very, very significant, that is an achievement in itself but we know it is not sufficient to ensure there is never again a resort, a return to violence, and there is work to be completed."