UNIONISTS came across as "angry people" according to the newly-formed Women's Coalition.
Minutes of the first meeting between ministers and the party following their election to the NI Forum in 1996 are among declassified files.
As a briefing in June 1996 states, the Women's Coalition was formed to contest the forum election with the aim of raising the profile of women in politics.
In a memo for NIO minister Michael Ancram, Chris Maccabe noted that Monica McWilliams was a university lecturer, Pearl Sagar a community activist from "Loyalist East Belfast" while Bronagh Hinds, an academic, was "the power behind the coalition throne".
At the meeting between the party and Mr Ancram at Stormont Castle, Prof McWilliams said her party was drawn from both sides of the community and was cross-class.
"They did not want people to think of them as a bunch of middle-class, elitist women."
She expressed disappointment at media performances by the DUP leader, Ian Paisley and the UUP’s John Taylor.
"They came across as very angry people," the briefing notes said. She added the forthcoming talks needed to be inclusive and Sinn Féin should be included.
Replying, Mr Ancram said if the ceasefire was restored Sinn Féin could enter the talks. Ms Hinds felt that the loyalist paramilitaries should be given a meaningful role.
