The problems in the Northern Ireland peace process over the existence of paramilitaries can be resolved if the political will is there, Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid said tonight.
Emerging from talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen at Hillsborough Castle, Dr Reid was philosophical about the IRA's dismissal of calls for it to stand down in a bid to save the Good Friday Agreement.
However, he pinned hopes that republicans would signal their commitment to the exclusive pursuit of politics on a keynote speech planned for next weekend by Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams.
As Sinn Fein chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness prepared for talks in Washington with the US Government just one week after the return of Direct Rule to Northern Ireland, Dr Reid said about the IRA statement: "Well, let's remember, it is 35 years since this conflict started.
"So in four or five days where we have a major statement like that, I don't think we should expect that we are going to have resolutions of some of the problems we face.
"I understand that the president of Sinn Fein is to give a considered response.
"I welcome that fact because I think that the points that the Prime Minister had to make on the political as well as the paramilitary questions were points of substance which deserve a considered response.
"Of one thing I am certain that there is a way in which to resolve these difficulties and if that political will is there, then we can work through the present problem, the way we have worked through problems in the past."
Mr Cowen, also spoke of the two governments determination to restore the power sharing executive.
Describing today's meeting as a "very productive and thorough stock-take" of all the issues facing the British and Irish Governments, Mr Cowen said: "As the joint statement by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister has indicated, the two governments are determined to press ahead with all aspects of the [Belfast] Agreement that are within their respected competence.
"This is the agenda that we took forward today.
"At the same time we have resolved to work closely together to create the political conditions which facilitate the restoration of the devolved institutions at the earliest possible date."
Mr Cowen said the two governments were keeping their faith in politics.
He added: "Those who would seek to fill any gap that they now perceive to be there by way of violence and sectarian and paramilitarism have no future.
"They provide no answers to the problems which beset this society here." PA