The Executive Council of the Progressive Unionist Party met for the second time to continue it's in depth discussion on whether or not the Party should remain within the Talks Process.
The core issues for discussion were:
- That Confidence Building Measures in relation to the Talks Process were being addressed outside the Process, thus undermining confidence in the integrity of the process.
- That all parties represented at the Talks are not being treated with fairness and with equality - again to the detriment of the integrity of the Process.
The Executive stressed that the issues of Prisoner Releases and the maintenance of the UVF/RHC cease-fires whilst vitally important were never an issue.
Delegates felt that both H.M.G. and the Irish Government had given fairly concrete assurances that all Confidence Building Measures would in future be firmly housed within the process. Indeed both Governments have indicated that measures are currently being taken to ensure that these assurances will be put into practice as soon as possible.
Regarding the inequality of treatment of Parties within the process, delegates feel that the two Governments were following the politics of demand from some participants to the exclusion and marginalisation of others. While some assurances have been given in respect of this it remains to be seen whether things will change for the better. However the Talks Process is not about the Progressive Unionist Party or it's sense of frustration and anger, it is about exploring the vision for a new just and equitable future for all of the people of Northern Ireland.
While the the Executive continued to express some reservations about the quality and integrity of the answers given, it decided by a majority vote to give both Governments an opportunity to prove their sincerity.