Gen John de Chastelain has launched an initiative implicitly aimed at persuading Sinn Fein to secure a commitment from the IRA that it will decommission by next May - the suggested date for paramilitary disarmament under the Belfast Agreement.
With just six days to go to Mr Tony Blair's deadline for a resolution of the impasse and the formation of an executive, Gen de Chastelain has moved centre stage by effectively seeking assurances that the IRA, UVF and UDA accept May 2000 as the date for disarmament.
On Tuesday, the eve of Mr Blair's deadline, Gen de Chastelain will present the British and Irish governments with a report outlining his views on the prospects of paramilitary disarmament. The report could be crucial to the prospects of a deal being reached.
Sinn Fein, citing the wording of the agreement, has consistently said it will "use any influence it can" to secure decommissioning, but the IRA - in addition to the UVF and UDA - has not given any guarantees it will bow to such influence.
Now Gen de Chastelain's Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has written to the parties - in particular those linked to paramilitaries - seeking hard information on whether guns will be handed over by May 22nd next year.
While Mr David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, is demanding some prior decommissioning before he would join Sinn Fein in an executive, the letter refers only to a deadline of May 2000.
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, portrayed the letter as a prelude to a fudge on decommissioning. The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said his party would respond "in confidence" but would approach the three questions raised in the letter in "a positive and constructive way".
Gen de Chastelain is seeking answers "no later" than Monday. The questions are primarily directed to Sinn Fein, the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Democratic Party.
In particular, Gen de Chastelain asks these parties to assist in determining "the willingness of paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons by May 22nd, 2000".
He asks: "Is the paramilitary group willing to give the commission a firm basis for expecting that decommissioning will take place within the timescale set forth in the Good Friday agreement?"
He also requests details on paramilitary stockpiles, and where and when disarmament might take place. He further requests the parties to state whether disarmament should happen by May 2000.
His interpretation of the agreement is in line with Mr Blair's recent comments that the accord does not insist on prior decommissioning before an executive is formed but that decommissioning is still an obligation under the agreement.
Positive answers from Sinn Fein could open the door for a compromise between the central players, Sinn Fein and the UUP, on disarmament and the executive.
Dr Paisley, who met Gen de Chastelain yesterday, said: "It is very clear that the questions were set up to give the IRA a fudging opportunity to get off the decommissioning hook, by pronouncing decommissioning later rather than decommissioning today.
"If the IRA takes this bait it will be used by the government as one of the ingredients in a political fudge in the run-up to the June 30th deadline."
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, added: "Unionists should be alert to the fact that there are plans being devised to allow the IRA to substitute actual decommissioning with a long-term promise to decommission coupled with the International Commission on Decommissioning's assessment on whether it will happen or not."
Mr Adams, in his comments, again drew a distinction between Sinn Fein and the IRA on the issue of disarmament. His party would not be speaking for the IRA.
"The questions we received from the general are not for the IRA but are for Sinn Fein," he added. He said Sinn Fein was entering the most critical period of negotiations. "Sinn Fein will be going in good faith, positively. There is no reason whatsoever, if the political will is there, why this agreement cannot work and why the outstanding aspects cannot be put in place."
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, who was at Castle Buildings, Stormont for talks yesterday, said it was in the common interest of supporters of the Belfast Agreement that they should work to "bring closure to this paralysis".
"If all of us can transcend the limitations of fixed positions just one more time and compromise without capitulation on our optimum ideal, I think we can do it with dignity," she added.
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, in the face of unionist criticism, rejected any suggestions that she was a barrier to political progress. She said she had faced "about a dozen calls" for her resignation since she took the job. "It goes with the territory," she added.
