The review of the implementation of the Belfast Agreement has begun in Belfast with the former US senator, Mr George Mitchell, describing it as the best chance in years for Northern Ireland to be set on the path to peace.
The former talks chairman, who has returned to facilitate the current round of meetings, has stressed that the review will focus on the decommissioning impasse and the formation of an executive. It will not amount to a renegotiation of the agreement.
"I believe those difficulties can be overcome. If I thought otherwise, I would not be here," said Mr Mitchell.
Speaking at Castle Buildings in advance of afternoon meetings with the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP, the DUP and Sinn Fein, he said the political leaders should seize the opportunity offered by the review.
"There is a chance - the best chance in many years - to set Northern Ireland on the path to enduring peace and political stability. The political leaders must seize this opportunity."
The first round of meetings would gauge the views held by each party and he would listen to each. "That's something that I've had a lot of practice at."
Mr Mitchell said he had no "magic wand" with which to wave away the problems. "I will do my best to facilitate, to encourage, to urge, to persuade, but in the end the decisions must be made by the political leaders of the people of Northern Ireland in a democratic process through open dialogue."
Although he declined to place a deadline on the time he was prepared to devoted to the North, Mr Mitchell said he had told the government leaders and all the parties that he was unable to participate in "an open-ended process".
He would not be drawn on whether the review represented a last chance to achieve the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement.
"I have no way of knowing whether it is or is not the last chance to salvage it. I do not underestimate the difficulties involved. I do accept there were setbacks over the summer, but I now have been coming to Northern Ireland off and on for some 4 1/2 to five years and I have never known a period of time when there were no setbacks."
He felt the parties had it within their capacity to reach agreement on moving forward.
He said the low expectations surrounding the review and the pessimistic tones emanating from the parties were predictable, adding that political attitudes could change as swiftly as the weather in the North.
Commenting on the release of the Patten report, scheduled for Thursday, he said it was an issue over which he had no control. "I've read all of the statements that have appeared in the press over the last several days about that and I am aware that it will have an impact." He said he had been in contact with President Clinton in recent days, who had offered his continued support and assistance to the North's parties.
Although arrangements for the review are not finalised, Mr Mitchell confirmed that he was considering holding meetings with political leaders and British and Irish ministers in various locations, including his hotel suite, their party headquarters and government buildings.
Mr Mitchell will today meet the smaller Assembly parties and the Ulster Democratic Party. Tomorrow, meetings are scheduled with the British and Irish governments. The process will then adjourn until Monday to allow the parties to consider the Patten report.