Sinn Fein sources have said they expect a meeting will take place between Mr Gerry Adams and the British Prime Minister within weeks. The sources said the talks would not be held in secret and that the event would be well publicised. The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, is this week expected to invite Sinn Fein formally to join all-party negotiations which start at Stormont Castle on September 15th.
A senior Sinn Fein source said: "Once we enter the talks we will have to be included in any round of prime ministerial meetings. I trust Tony Blair will want to keep abreast with what we are thinking and it's my understanding that he will instigate a meeting."
But he denied rumours that an encounter had already been arranged and said there was no suggestion as yet where it would take place. "We place no great store by a meeting in Downing Street. It doesn't matter to us where we meet so long as it is for substantive discussions.
"We won't take part in any surreptitious meetings or anything that is contrived. If and when Gerry Adams meets Mr Blair it will be for substantive talks."
Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, has called on the editors of the Irish News, Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph to gauge public opinion on the need for all parties to engage in substantive negotiations when talks start next month.
The UUP has still not decided if it will take part in all-party talks. Calling for the three newspapers to set up a telephone poll, Mr McLaughlin said: "I believe if they gave the opportunity to their respective readerships the result would show that the majority of respondents from both traditions would urge all parties to do what they were elected to do - negotiate."
Meanwhile, Democratic Left has urged the UUP to take part in all-party talks. The two parties held a meeting to discuss the political situation at the weekend. Ms Mary McMahon of Democratic Left said negotiation was the only way forward.
"We understand the legitimate fears of many participants but urge that dialogue and discussion about substantive issues take place if fear and uncertainty are to be replaced with trust," she said.
"The Northern Ireland political problem can only be addressed when the conflict at its heart - the competing demands of Ulster unionism and Irish nationalism - are conciliated with the principle of consent, adherence to democratic politics and a rejection of the use or threat of violence."
Meanwhile, Republican Sinn Fein has accused the RUC of harassment after two republicans from Fermanagh were held for 36 hours at Gough Barracks in Armagh. They were released yesterday.
A party spokesman said: "This is part of a two-pronged strategy by the British crown forces. Firstly, this is an intelligence-gathering exercise to try to gauge Republican Sinn Fein strength in the county.
"Secondly, it is an attempt to intimidate our party and its supporters because they do not support the current limited process for a temporary peace in our country."