As the September review of the Northern Ireland peace process draws closer, the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, has claimed his party was correct not to form a power-sharing government, while Mr Martin McGuinness has said a halt to the early release of Provisional IRA prisoners could endanger Sinn Fein participation in the review.
Mr Trimble has also warned that the disbandment of the RUC, or any change in the name of the force, would create a crisis of confidence for the peace process within the unionist community.
In an interview in the Observer, Mr Trimble said that after the killing of Charles Bennett and the uncovering of a Florida-based gun-smuggling operation members of the UUP were "doubly glad" they had refused to nominate ministers for a power-sharing executive last July.
"These incidents make it look as if there is no commitment to end paramilitarism. If that's the case, then obviously there are things the government has to do, and that's not just a wee slap on the wrist," said Mr Trimble.
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mowlam, is due to make her statement on the state of the IRA ceasefire within the next six days. The Northern Ireland Office said she would not exclude Sinn Fein from the review but that with the signing of the Belfast Agreement breaches of ceasefire might result in a halt to the early prisoner release scheme.
Mr Trimble has said Dr Mowlam would find herself in "grave difficulties" if no action was taken against the IRA. "I am not at this stage going around making threats, but the public will not stand for it," he said. However, the Sinn Fein senior negotiator, Mr McGuinness, has said his party may boycott the review, aimed at solving the impasse over decommissioning and the formation of an executive, if republican releases are halted.
He warned Dr Mowlam would be making a serious mistake if she chose that course of action. "I think any sanctions on the prisoners could have very serious repercussions for Sinn Fein's participation in any review," he said.
His comments were condemned by the DUP spokesman on justice, Mr Ian Paisley jnr, who accused Mr McGuinness of "posturing to extract further concessions from the government".
Mr Paisley also criticised the Northern Ireland Office officials for declaring Sinn Fein could not be expelled from the review. He claimed the IRA had now been given a "licence to kill".
Meanwhile, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the political wing of the INLA, has claimed the Belfast Agreement has collapsed under the weight of its own flaws and contradictions.
"Unionist intransigence, supported by the British establishment and aided and abetted by a sectarian loyalist paramilitary campaign that has continued unabated, has ensured that the people's will has been ignored," Mr Paul Little, a party ardchomhairle member, said.