Sinn Féin is facing a moment of truth in 2007 as it contemplates supporting the police in Northern Ireland, the Rev Ian Paisley claimed today.
The Democratic Unionist leader insisted his party would not be found wanting if Sinn Féin supported the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the courts and the rule of law.
But he also warned that words would not be enough and Sinn Féin had given itself only three weeks to prove it was wholeheartedly committed to the rule of law.
"Sinn Féin's begrudging movement will only serve to delay opportunities available to us in the incoming months of 2007," Dr Paisley said.
"This process is not about deadlines or dates. Indeed at times, against my advice, the government has set unrealistic deadlines which have had to be broken. Neither is it about the DUP selecting dates for progress which can only be realised if and when there is delivery.
"Gerry Adams has asked that the government and unionists respond to Sinn Féin's latest 'initiative' positively. Unionists stand ready to respond but have been denied opportunity because we must have something of substance to which we can respond," Dr Paisley said.
Following talks over Christmas with the British government, the Sinn Féin leader persuaded his national executive to call a special party conference this month to consider a change in policing policy.
Sinn Féin members will in the coming weeks debate a motion that is expected to urge them to endorse the PSNI and the gardaí and to take their seats on the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the District Policing Partnerships.
At a republican commemoration yesterday, Mr Adams told colleagues that if they wanted to advance the cause of a united Ireland they had to face up to their responsibilities on policing.
The DUP and the British and Irish governments and other parties insisted Sinn Fein would have to change its attitude to the PSNI if there were to be any hope of reviving power sharing by March.