The end of June was the "final date" by which devolution of power to Northern Ireland would have to take place, according to the controversial draft document prepared at Downing Street earlier this month.
Further details have come to light concerning the confidential paper which was composed during discussions chaired by the two prime ministers on May 14th.
The two-page document described the Belfast Agreement as "an unprecedented opportunity" to draw a line under the past and make a fresh start. The "path" of the agreement, based on partnership, equality and mutual respect, had been massively approved in both parts of the island, the paper added.
Among the "core features" of the Good Friday document was its respect for diversity and difference. No one was required to give up basic aspirations and ideals. "The agreement requires only that their pursuit be by exclusively democratic and peaceful means.
"All parties agree to the full implementation of all aspects of the agreement, including the objective of achieving total disarmament and the complete withdrawal of all weapons from politics in Ireland.
"They accept that the issue of arms must be finally and satisfactorily settled and will do what they can to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within the time-frame set down in the agreement, in the context of the implementation of the overall settlement.
"The International Commission on Decommissioning will now begin a period of intensive discussions with all parties and report back on progress before June 30th. In light of that report, all parties anticipate, without prejudice to their clear positions on this issue, devolution of power by June 30th."
In view of these commitments, the Assembly parties intended to proceed to the appointment of "ministers-designate", under the d'Hondt procedure, during the following week. "Such ministers will take up office on devolution on or before June 30th."
The two governments would continue to do their utmost "to give effect to the will of the people to see the Good Friday agreement implemented in all its aspects, including institutions, operating in shadow form, and for their part have made it clear that June 30th is the final date by which devolution must take place", the Downing Street paper concluded.
Mr Seamus Mallon, the North's Deputy First Minister, warned yesterday that failure to meet the June 30th deadline would mean an end to the Assembly and the North-South Ministerial Council. "We would fall back to direct rule and the Anglo-Irish Agreement", he said.
The European elections could not be used as "an excuse for further prevarication" and ministers should be nominated without further delay. "This will allow Gen. de Chastelain to begin the intensive phase of his work on decommissioning and produce a report in good time to the two governments."
However, the general could not do his job successfully if political parties refused to do theirs, Mr Mallon said.
The republican movement has been sharply criticised in a statement from Sir Reg Empey, of the Ulster Unionist Party, who said that it had failed to "publicly accept its obligation to disarm" under the agreement.
He said: "This is the moment of truth for the republican movement now. Has it got the guts to deliver what it signed up to last year? It is time for Gerry Adams to show leadership and act on this issue. He must show courage, as we have in bringing our community with us. By failing to honour his obligations under the agreement he is destroying the hopes of the people of Northern Ireland."
The Democratic Unionist Party has been accused by Sinn Fein of "rank hypocrisy" over its stance on the setting-up of a Northern executive.
The DUP had never stated in "categorical terms" what it would do if an executive which included Sinn Fein was formed. "In fact, it has intimated on more than one occasion that it would nominate for the two ministries to which it is entitled."