A new dispute on the key area of North-South co-operation broke out between the SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party last night, as significant differences emerged between the parties on proposals for cross-Border bodies.
The differences are likely to compound friction over decommissioning and the formation of a shadow executive.
The UUP proposals, which have been the subject of discussions between the two parties and have been disclosed to The Irish Times, were branded by the SDLP as "minimalist" and contrary to the spirit and intent of the Belfast Agreement.
The parties have been holding private discussions on possible areas of cross-Border co-operation. Mr Sean Farren of the SDLP said it was "reprehensible" that the Ulster Unionists had made their proposals public when his party understood the discussions were confidential.
Sources close to the UUP leader's office outlined the party's proposals for seven bodies to be set up before October 31st. These are taken from a policy document drawn up for Mr Trimble by two of his legal advisers.
The first body would define the territorial sea boundaries of Northern Ireland and the Republic. Two more would be responsible for Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle. Other groups would deal with veterinary research, environmental protection, research and food safety and hygiene.
The party is also proposing a body to monitor incentives being offered by the North and the Republic to attract foreign investment, but it was emphasised that the UUP was strongly opposed to any merger of the IDA and the North's Industrial Development Board.
An Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Esmond Birnie, said he did not accept that his party was taking a minimalist approach. "We are sticking to the terms of the agreement where it says they have to be of mutual interest. We have to see a demonstrable economic, social gain to both Irish economies." Mr Farren said there were major differences between the two parties. "The overall impression is that they are approaching the identification of implementation bodies from essentially a legalistic and a very minimalist point of view," he said.
The SDLP understanding of the Belfast Agreement is that the parties are required to identify areas where co-operation could take place to the mutual benefit of both parts of Ireland, to examine how co-operation could be enhanced, and to set up implementation bodies to develop that co-operation.
Mr Farren said the SDLP believed constitutional issues and the definition of territorial boundaries were matters for the two governments, and not for the North-South ministerial council or the implementation bodies.
To include these in the remit of the North-South council would be "a total distortion" of what was intended in the Belfast Agreement, he said.
Discussions took place between delegations from the two parties on Monday and they are due to meet again later this week.