It is "hypocritical" for unionists to dismiss Mr Gerry Adams's weekend speech because it has not come directly from the IRA, it was claimed today.
Northern Ireland Green Party leader Dr John Barry said he was staggered how the speech from the Sinn Féin leader clarifying the latest IRA statement was good enough for international governments but not good enough for unionists.
The North Down Assembly candidate said: "For years, the same unionists have been telling us that Sinn Féin and the IRA were 'inextricably joined'.
"Now when Sinn Féin does convey a message from the IRA, somehow Sinn Féin and the IRA are separate".
Dr Barry said the Ulster Unionists' rejection of the speech was indicative of how weak Mr Trimble's position was within his own party.
The Green Party leader said it also revealed the extent to which Mr Trimble was under pressure from other unionist parties.
"Just as we are on the verge of seeing the end of the conflict between the two communities, we are witnessing a new and equally destabilising conflict within the Ulster Unionist Party and the wider unionist bloc," he argued.
"David Trimble is the weakest link at this current delicately poised stage in the peace process. However, it is all of us here in Northern Ireland - and not just him - that will go home empty handed if he fails to grasp the historical opportunity that now presents itself".
PA