THE participants to the talks have until next Wednesday to agree - if possible - on procedure, according to a spokesman for the all party negotiations. The plenary session chairman, former Senator George Mitchell, has asked participants to submit written proposals on the role and powers of the chairman and the plenary agenda by 3 p.m. tomorrow.
Mr Mitchell will compile all submissions into a document which will be presented to all the parties. They will be requested over the weekend to study the document to determine if there is any room for agreement on the disputed procedural matters. Early next week two delegates from each party, with one alternate allowed, will gather at Castle Buildings "in any configuration that will be fruitful" to try and agree with Mr Mitchell a final set of procedures, the spokesman said.