But Mr Trimble said he had yet to decide what the leadership's recommendation to delegates would be. He would make up his mind late next week after further negotiations with Tony Blair and the taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and he warned that the council's meeting could yet be called off.
But his provisional decision came as a huge relief to the British and Irish governments after Mr Trimble had threatened to scupper their attempts to restore devolution in nine days as he battled to water down legislation on the reform of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He had to call the council meeting yesterday to allow that deadline to be met.
His refusal to sell a quick return to power-sharing government to his sceptical party disappointed officials. They also fear a late endorsement would allow some unionists to argue that he has deep reservations about the IRA offer.
The IRA said last Saturday that it would "completely and verifiably" put weapons beyond use in secure dumps. Weapons inspectors would be able to check them and make subsequent visits.
Mr Trimble announced the 858-strong council would meet next Saturday in Belfast, sparking a week-long battle for the soul of unionism. It will be its fourth meeting in seven months.
Mr Trimble said: "I must make it absolutely clear at this stage that the calling of the meeting does not mean that we have committed ourselves to endorse any set of proposals. I have yet to formulate what proposals will be put to the council, and I don't anticipate being able to do so until well into next week."
Although relieved at Mr Trimble's decision to call the meeting, Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, was annoyed at his failure so far to embrace the two governments' joint proposals and the IRA's offer. He warned Ulster Unionists against setting new pre-conditions.
Mr Adams hinted that the IRA's initiative would be withdrawn if there were any major changes to the policing proposals. He said: "Concession to unionism on the RUC, a dilution of the Patten recommen dations or any other touchstone issue could entirely undermine the initiative."
There was speculation that Mr Trimble, who only two months ago narrowly survived a leadership challenge, had secured a minor concession from Mr Blair on the planned reform of the RUC. He refused to be drawn on their conversations yesterday.
His wait-and-see approach is aimed at enticing more in the coming week from the government, either on the RUC or on flags. He wants guarantees that the Union Flag will continue to fly from government buildings on public holidays, which has sparked Sinn Fein anger.
But Mr Trimble was focussing on the IRA offer. He wants to know how the system will operate, and several Trimble loyalists met General John de Chastelain, the head of the decommissioning body, yesterday.
This renewed emphasis on the IRA offer was seen as a signal that Mr Trimble was considering putting his five-year party leadership on the line and backing the IRA's reformulation of the decommissioning issue.
He will have to force a change in party policy, which is currently to refuse to go back into government unless the RUC name is retained.
