THE British Prime Minister, Mr Major, is to meet the International Body on Decommissioning in London on Thursday. Observers at Westminster believe the surprise move will significantly underline the British government's insistence on a start to decommissioning before all party talks begin.
Downing Street sources last night said the meeting had been arranged some time ago, following the formal presentation of the British position by Sir Patrick Mayhew to the body in Belfast before Christmas but they could not say precisely when.
The Northern Secretary is expected to accompany Mr Major to the meeting, which will increase the profile of the international body as it resumes its hearings.
Asked if they still expected former Senator George Mitchell and his colleagues to submit their report by mid January, the sources would say only that the prime minister would want to hear how their work was progressing.
Amid continuing signs of Ulster Unionist irritation at the failure of Mr Major's government to suspend contact with Sinn Fein, following the recent spate of killings in the North, it also emerged last night that Mr David Trimble and his deputy, Mr John Taylor are to have talks with the Labour Party leader. Mr Tony Blair, in London on Thursday.