Sinn Fein and the British government are to hold fresh talks this week in an attempt to end the political deadlock in the North. Decommissioning and demilitarisation will head the agenda.
Sinn Fein vice-president Mr Pat Doherty confirmed yesterday that discussions between the two sides were set to resume. With the prospect of Westminster and local government elections looming, Mr Doherty stressed time left for progress was limited. The talks were suspended in December after failure to reach agreement.
Mr Doherty said he hoped the British government would show more flexibility on policing and demilitarisation than in the discussions before Christmas.
"What we need to do is resolve the outstanding issues. The nearer you move to elections, the bigger a factor they are.
"Elections are only a number of months off. We have a renewed opportunity and we hope the British respond to that renewed opportunity," he said.
Meanwhile, two senior Ulster Unionists have announced they are seeking their party's nomination for the Westminster constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
UUP vice-chairman Mr James Cooper (50), a supporter of the Belfast Agreement and election agent of the outgoing MP, Mr Ken Maginnis, said he wanted his party's candidacy.
He said he was standing at a crucial period for the peace process.
"It is vital the entire UUP unites behind the strategy of the leadership, which has already indicated that unionism will not permit the British government and unionist population of Northern Ireland to be held to ransom by republicanism."
The second candidate is UUP honorary secretary Ms Arlene Foster (30), who is strongly anti-agreement and a close ally of Mr Jeffrey Donaldson MP.
She said she would be trying to unite the various strands of unionism.
There had been "a bias" towards republicanism since the Belfast Agreement was signed and if elected she would "seek to redress the situation".
Ms Foster added: "Most unionists are now very unhappy with the implementation of the Belfast Agreement, even those who voted Yes.
"I am encouraged by the promises of support in the constituency and I intend to give it my best shot."
Both candidates work in the same solicitor's office in Enniskillen. Mr David Trimble is understood to be firmly in favour of Mr Cooper. The constituency association will decide the issue on January 29th.
The UUP is not certain to retain the seat at the polls if the DUP fields a candidate. DUP sources said this was likely, with the North's Social Development Minister, Mr Maurice Morrow, as its candidate.