UNIONISTS have reacted suspiciously to the commitment from Sinn Fein that it is prepared to sign up to the six Mitchell principles if the other participants to the talks do the same.
The comments from Mr Gerry Adams follow a similar concession from Mr Martin McGuinness last Sunday week, when he indicated that the Mitchell report would not pose an obstacle for Sinn Fein.
The commitment has prompted a suspicious response from the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, who said that both Sinn Fein and the IRA would have to accept the principles.
Sinn Fein could not enter talks even if it signed up to the principles, which demand an "absolute commitment to democratic and exclusively peaceful means of resolving political issues", should the IRA fail to restore its ceasefire, Mr Trimble said.
"This view was implicitly supported by the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, in comments made before Mr Adams told BBC 2 that the six Mitchell principles should not pose a problem for Sinn Fein. Sir Patrick emphasised that Sinn Fein and the IRA were inextricably linked.
Mr Adams told BBC 2 on a number of occasions last night that Sinn Fein was prepared to accept the Mitchell report should "all the other parties, including the British government, issue similar, commitments.
"If Mr [John] Major given, the history of British repression of the claim to jurisdiction over our country, of their involvement in the conflict here for such a long time is prepared to sign up to Mitchell, then I am prepared to sign up to Mitchell", he said.
When he was reminded of the fourth principle which states that all parties must make a commitment "to renounce for themselves, and to oppose any effort by others to use force or threaten to use force, to influence the course or the outcome of all party negotiations" Mr Adams repeated that Sinn Fein could accept the Mitchell report.
He was guarded, however, when asked if that meant that Sinn Fein would break with the IRA should the IRA fail to restore its ceasefire. "We are not the IRA", he said. "We stand in this election as Sinn Fein."
Mr Adams said that he did not know if the IRA would restore its ceasefire before June 10th, or before the election. "Let's not be fixated by this deadline of June 10th. What is certain is that we have to get a situation where there is peace. Peace means tackling the consequences of conflict.
"I will sign up to the Mitchell principles provided everyone else is doing it, and provided they are within the context of proper all party talks. All of those issues are" within Sinn Fein's public policy."
The Northern Secretary, speaking before Mr Adams's comments, on the Mitchell report were broadcast, did not accept that there was a significant distinction between Sinn Fein and the IRA.
He indicated that, in the absence of an IRA ceasefire and even with Sinn Fein signing up to the Mitchell principles, Sinn Fein could not be at the talks.
Sir Patrick said that the Mitchell report sought decommissioning during the progress of talks which was "the very least that is reasonable".
He added "Decommissioning ought to take place earlier rather than later, and this is because people wish to have the confidence that nobody sitting at the conference table will be seeking to benefit from the existence of arms held by their close associates."
He also indicated that there would be a role for Senator George Mitchell in dealing with, the disarmament issue. The British government had "great confidence" in Senator Mitchel and his report had been very helpful".
Mr Trimble said that, while he welcomed any group signing up to the Mitchell principles, both Sinn Fein and the IRA would have to accept the principles before Sinn Fein could enter talks.
"In order for Sinn Fein to participate in the talks process, there must be a ceasefire in place, and Sinn Fein/IRA as a whole must accept the Mitchell report and implement and honour same", he said in response to Mr Adams's comments.
"No play acting exercise by Mr Adams to avoid the real issues is, or will be, acceptable to the Ulster Unionist Party. I have been in contact with the prime minister's office seeking his assurance that her majesty's government will not give way on these matters. My concern is that elements within the Northern Ireland, Office will be tempted to allow Sinn Fein reach the talks table by, the back door", Mr Trimble added.
