Trimble flies out as resignation deadline nears

David Trimble flew out of Northern Ireland today on what looked certain to be his final day as the Province’s First Minister.

The Ulster Unionist leader was going to northern France for the commemoration of the First World War Battle of the Somme as his self-imposed deadline for further IRA movement on disarmament entered its final hours.

But with no sign of the republicans giving up their guns it seemed inevitable that Mr Trimble would carry out his threat to quit by the end of today, placing the future of the power-sharing Government in Belfast into doubt yet again.

With a six-week ‘‘breathing space’’ either to re-install Mr Trimble or replace him before the Province’s devolved government caves in, more talks aimed at overcoming the latest crisis were due to begin next week.

Jeffrey Donaldson, a member of the UUP talks team, said today: ‘‘I believe David Trimble will go through with his resignation.

‘‘That will clearly place the focus on the Republican Movement and the need to decommission.

‘‘I welcome this move and I believe it was essential to bring this matter to a head.

‘‘The peace process will now be tested as never before in terms of establishing whether the IRA are committed to peace or whether they want to hold on to the weapons of war.’’

Canadian General John de Chastelain was due to hand over his latest assessment of progress on weapons decommissioning to the Government today.

The report was expected to be published next week ahead of the talks.

Mr Donaldson, MP for Lagan Valley, said: ‘‘I don’t anticipate the General will be able to report any progress.’’

The forthcoming talks at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, are expected to be chaired by Ulster Secretary John Reid, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair re-entering the frame again the following week.

On Thursday the two premiers chaired a series of meetings at Hillsborough which ended inconclusively.

Yesterday Mr Ahern had a 30-minute telephone conversation with American President George W Bush about the position in Northern Ireland.

The Dublin Premier was reported to have briefed the President about the Hillsborough talks.

A Government official said: ‘‘Mr Ahern told the President about the extremely difficult position now applying in Northern Ireland, but also assured him that together with Britain's Prime Minister he would be keeping in close touch with the situation there, and there would be further intense negotiations.

‘‘For his part, Mr Bush said he would be maintaining contact on the issue.’’

Mr Trimble and Dr Reid will attend a commemoration marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in Thiepval, France, tomorrow.