THE Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, has said he would accept a compromise in a long-term settlement in Northern Ireland.
"Obviously I would like to get as far along to the republican goal as is possible," he said "But I am going into talks with a sense of flexibility and with the sense that there is a sizeable section of people who have a different view.
He was speaking at a London launch of his autobiography, Before The Dawn.
"I think the idea of Irish independence is perfectly legitimate and a very worthy goal," he said. "But I think that where we are at now is trying to remove conflict in the situation - that is the primary objective at this time, but that may be far, far short of an ultimate political solution."
Would he ultimately settle for a compromise? - "Yes, I think it is sensible in that situation."