THERE is no serious risk to any of the nine Westminster seats held by the Ulster Unionists, according to the party leader, Mr David Trimble. He said the party hoped it "might even make some gains".
On the prospects for an electoral pact with the DUP, Mr Trimble said: "We would welcome agreement or at least some degree of convergence of activity with regard to those seats which might otherwise fall to extreme republicans if there was a split unionist vote.".
However, the DUP had recently announced it was going to run against the UUP in most constituencies: "We hope it's just a bit of posturing by Paisley rather than something seriously intended.".
Mr Trimble, who is visiting the US capital, said the UUP did not have any preference on the makeup of the next British government. As a regional party they would have to work with the government of Westminster "whatever its colour".
Asked about recent speeches on Northern Ireland by leading US politicians he said the speech by Mr George Mitchell was very positive because its main thrust was an appeal to Irish-Americans not to support violence.
"Unfortunately the next night in New York we saw Senator Kennedy doing exactly what George Mitchell said should not be done, making a speech that gave comfort or tried to give comfort to those involved in violence."
Commenting on the Kennedy speech the UUP security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, said: "It's a foolish speech, it's an irresponsible speech and quite honestly I believe it's a speech that was prepared for Senator Kennedy and delivered by him rather than something that emanates from his own considered opinion."