Mr David Trimble and Mr Jeffrey Donaldson will attempt to restore a semblance of Ulster Unionist Party unity later this morning - although they will be on opposite sides in Friday's referendum on the Belfast Agreement.
At a 9 a.m. press conference in Belfast, it is understood Mr Donaldson intends to declare his readiness to "play a constructive role" within the UUP in its approach to the Northern assembly, given a Yes vote on Friday. And following a weekend of discussions conducted through intermediaries, it seems Mr Trimble is ready to signal "a positive response" to Mr Donaldson's overture 30 minutes later.
Sources close to Mr Trimble last night insisted that the latest moves were not the result of any discussion about policy. And one Yes campaign strategist suggested that a perceived "climbdown" by Mr Donaldson could have a positive effect on still-undecided unionist voters, although this morning he will reaffirm his intention to vote No.
However, there was speculation that Mr Donaldson's olive branch to Mr Trimble might come with a price attached, in terms of a further toughening of the UUP's position on Sinn Fein's participation in the proposed Northern Ireland executive.
The SDLP's deputy leader, Mr Seamus Mallon, warned that the two governments and the signatories to the agreement have an obligation to see that its provisions are implemented in full.
Mr Mallon's warning comes amid growing concern in nationalist, as well as British and Irish government circles, that opposition within his party, coupled with an unenthusiastic Yes vote on Friday, could see Mr Trimble forced to reinstate the demand for prior decommissioning of IRA weapons as the condition of Sinn Fein's participation in the executive.
This was the primary issue over which Mr Donaldson parted company with Mr Trimble on Good Friday, and on which the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, failed to reassure the Lagan Valley MP with his speech last Thursday.
Mr Donaldson and his six dissident colleagues are expected to affirm their intention "in con science" to vote No, while respecting that Mr Trimble and many colleagues would in equal conscience vote Yes. Should a majority of voters say Yes, Mr Donaldson and his colleagues will commit themselves "to play a constructive role within the party to protect the interests of the proUnion community."
Having supported the decision to enter the multi-party talks, they will pledge their willingness to help rally the party behind Mr Trimble's leadership on the basis "that the party will approach the assembly with a policy built on the principle that we will not take part in an executive with unreconstructed terrorists".
Mr Trimble last night said he did not envisage the executive coming into being in shadow form until close to Christmas, "if then". But Mr Mallon said the agreement clearly envisaged the transitional arrangements coming into play soon after the assembly elections. "To postpone or long-finger the transitional arrangements is in effect to refuse to implement the agreement as it is written," said Mr Mallon.