SINN FEIN is reserving its response to Sir Patrick Mayhew's comments in Manchester where he indicated he favoured seeing all party inclusive talks, following a dependable IRA ceasefire and commitment to peace.

The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, viewed Sir Patrick's comments as constructive and hoped it would lead to a new IRA ceasefire. Unionists were suspicious.

A Sinn Fein spokesman last night said that senior members ink the party, including Mr Gerry Adams, had not yet had time to study the remarks in detail. He was unable to say when a response would be given.

Unionists, however, were convinced the statements by Mr Martin McGuinness in Tralee on Thursday and by Sir Patrick yesterday were the opening moves in a strategy aimed at creating an IRA ceasefire, and bringing Sinn Fein to the talks table.

The East Derry MP, Mr William Ross, said the comments from Mr McGuinness and Sir Patrick were part of a chain of communication involving Sinn Fein, the British and Irish governments and the SDLP.

"They are all trying to come up with a form of words that will allow the two governments claim they can strike a deal that will lead to the IRA calling a ceasefire and Sinn Fein being invited to talks without any side being accused of surrendering its principles.

"But it will take something very major to make us believe a single word Sinn Fein says, and Patrick Mayhew and John Major must know that. The IRA may call a temporary ceasefire but it has no intention of calling a permanent ceasefire," he said.

The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, said it was obvious the British government and Sinn Fein/IRA" were engaging in "play acting" which would lead to he "two sides coming together on the dance floor later on".

"We will not be part of any talks process involving Sinn Fein/IRA without a permanent cessation of IRA violence and decommissioning," added Mr Robinson.

Mr Hume said Sir Patrick's response to Mr McGuinness was obviously carefully constructed.