Speculation on the identity of the IRA interlocutor with the decommissioning body continued yesterday with the early release from the Maze prison of Mr Padraig Wilson.
Mr Wilson, the former IRA leader in the prison, was greeted by his children, Yvonne (12) and Donal (13) and the Sinn Fein Assembly member for north Belfast, Mr Gerry Kelly.
He refused to take questions on decommissioning from the assembled media but said his thoughts were "with my family and my comrades whom I have left in the H-blocks and in other prisons.
"Nothing that has happened would have been possible without the leadership and the commitment of our comrades in Sinn Fein and in republican structures," Mr Wilson said.
He said the fact his 24-year sentence for explosives charges had been commuted to eight years was "down to the work and efforts of our comrades in the republican movement".
Speculation continues that Mr Wilson, the 308th prisoner to receive early release, will take up an intermediary role with Gen de Chastelain's commission. However, Sinn Fein has denied he is the go-between.
Other senior IRA figures linked to the position include Mr Brian Keenan and veteran republican Mr Joe Cahill.
The new republican leader in the Maze is Jim McVeigh, who published a book this year on Tom Williams, an IRA leader in Belfast who was hanged for his role in the shooting of an RUC officer in 1942.
A total of 133 paramilitary prisoners remain in the Maze, although many are expected to receive leave for Christmas.