A NUMBER of draft documents on the terms that may pave the way for an IRA ceasefire - and Sinn Fein's entry to the multiparty talks - have been exchanged between the British government and Sinn Vein in recent weeks, according to senior sources in Dublin.
Discussions on the latest initiative have been going on for some time between the SDLP leader Mr John Hume, and representatives of the British government. However, sources last night cautioned against excessive optimism.
Following reports that the Sinn Vein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, and the British government had "opened up negotiations" in a bid to re establish the ground for a renewed IRA ceasefire, senior sources confirmed that the substance of the initiative is known to the Government and that Dublin is supportive of the move though not directly involved.
The involvement of an intermediary allows the British to deny that direct negotiations are taking place. The US administration has been kept abreast of developments.
The ultimate intention is that the British government would make a clear public statement on what it sees, apart from an IRA ceasefire, as the prerequisite for Sinn Fein entry to the Stormont talks. A number of draft documents have been exchanged between Belfast and London, via Mr Hume, but it is not clear if a final document has yet been agreed between the sides.
It is hoped that a formula can be worked out by which the Sinn Vein leadership can go to the IRA and state that circumstances now exist whereby the party's participation in the talks is on the same basis as everyone else.
A Government spokesman last night refused to be drawn on the matter, however, saying that it knew nothing of the "negotiations". However, other sources said the Government was "very supportive of any moves aimed at making the whole process more inclusive and encouraging the restoration of the ceasefire".
The SDLP leader and the Sinn Vein president have been working to break the deadlock in relation to Sinn Fein's entry to the multi party talks since they met the IRA leadership last February. But the formula or position being presented to the British government has only been worked out recently.