Both British government and republican sources are playing down comments by Sinn Fein negotiator Mr Francie Molloy that the Stormont talks may be in danger of collapsing and that republicans could well go back "to what we know best".
Mr Molloy made the remarks when speaking at a republican function in a public house in Cullyhanna, south Armagh, last weekend. His address was aimed at grassroots activists but two journalists were present. British government sources and republicans yesterday both said that the Sinn Fein man's comments were aimed at keeping republican grassroots happy and did not represent any hardening of attitude by the leadership.
However, the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, said that he would be carefully examining Mr Molloy's comments to see if they breached the Mitchell principles of democracy and non-violence.
He warned that he might refer the matter to Mr Mitchell and claimed the remarks showed that republicans had no real commitment to peace.
Speaking at the function, Mr Molloy admitted that there were divisions in the republican movement over its current peace strategy and appealed for unity. He urged activists to stay united and added that if the talks failed, "then we simply go back to what we know best".
Mr Molloy did not refer to claims by republican dissidents that the bulk of the IRA's "1st battalion" in south Armagh had resigned because of disillusionment over the peace process but he made an impassioned appeal for a united front: "Unity is our strength. If we put up one finger it is a very weak and delicate piece of our bodies but with our clenched fist, it is very strong, hard to break open. And we will be strong when we are together, united in one fist facing the British government whether it be Oglaigh na hEireann (IRA), Sinn Fein, the prisoners - all of the different aspects of the struggle all contained in the one body facing the Brits and taking them on."
Yesterday, Mr Molloy claimed that he had been quoted out of context. By stating that republicans would return to "what we know best", he had meant negotiations and nothing sinister, he said.
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said that he had no problem with Mr Molloy's remarks and accused the media of placing a "mischievous interpretation" on them.
A British government source yesterday said that London was not worried about the comments. "Mr Molloy was addressing republican grassroots and it's not surprising that he said what he did. His remarks must be placed in context. I think they were aimed more at keeping the troops happy than anything else."
A republican source agreed: "There has been a lot of unrest in south Armagh, and Francie was just trying to smooth things over. The Sinn Fein leadership is totally committed to the peace process. No one should be in any doubt over that." The source said that Mr Molloy had addressed the Cullyhanna rally because he was a councillor in neighbouring Co Tyrone and would be more respected than Belfast Sinn Fein leaders.
The DUP secretary, Mr Nigel Dodds, said that Mr Molloy's comments were proof that republicans intended to return to violence. He called on the UUP to immediately withdraw from the Stormont talks.