Northern Ireland is a safer place because of the Belfast Agreement, Ulster Unionists were told at their annual conference today.
In the first ever address to an Ulster Unionist conference by a NorthernIreland Secretary, Paul Murphy said unionists had gained a lot under the 1998accord.
He told them: "People have asked me what the Agreement has delivered forunionism.
"I say this: 'The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have deliveredbetween them a better Northern Ireland.
"It's a safer place in which to live.
"We cannot, and will not, forget the names and the faces of those who werekilled in the 30 years of conflict but neither should we forget that murders inNorthern Ireland are counted now in tens and not in hundreds."
Mr Murphy paid tribute to the Ulster unionist leadership for their handling ofthe peace process in recent years.
He acknowledged that there had been difficulties for unionists.
However, he rejected those who claimed that things had got worse in recenttimes.
"A process that perhaps 10 years ago, that past an historic milestone withthe Belfast Agreement and that is leading to lasting peace, has already broughtwith it greater security for Northern Ireland.
"Its completion is at hand.
"I am not saying that we don't still face problems. We do.
"But that is why we are currently all engaged - not least David Trimble - intrying to bring about the definitive end of paramilitary activity and the fullimplementation of that Good Friday Agreement."