The UDP says it has a responsibility to be at the talks

Loyalist Party Confirms its Place at Negotiating Table

Ulster Democratic Party have agreed to the face-to-face discussions. The UDP is the political wing of the Ulster Defence Association which is the largest of the Protestant paramilitary organisations.

David Adams of the UDP confirmed that he would be at Castle Buildings, Stormont for the opening plenary session. He will have to sit down with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, something other Unionist parties have so far refused to do.

Mr Adams told reporters: "Obviously we cannot do it all on our own, but it is our fervent hope the Ulster Unionists will decide to remain within the process and carry out the responsibilities their electorate placed upon them as well."

David Trimble is the key participant for London and Dublin

David Trimble's Ulster Unionist Party, the largest of all the Protestant parties, has not ruled out completely the prospect of joining the talks. But the smaller, hard-line Democratic Unionist Party has already refused to take part. It has rejected the plans to decommission paramilitary weapons as unworkable. It has told the British Government that the peace process is "dead in the water".

Of the other Protestant parties, the UK Unionists have also pulled out, but the Progressive Unionist Party, closely linked to the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), is expected to sit down with Sinn Fein.

However, it is the inclusion of David Trimble that the British and Irish Governments want most. His party's absence from the substantive negotiations would seriously dent the prospects of a successful outcome. The UUP is likely to make a decision early next month after internal party consultation.

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