The North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, delivered a strong message on decommissioning in the Waterfront Hall yesterday, telling the US President there could be no place for guns as Northern Ireland entered a new political era.
In a carefully-crafted speech, the Ulster Unionist Party leader said there "could be no grey areas" and that the road ahead was "only open to true democrats".
"As First Minister and leader of Northern Ireland, I cannot reconcile seeking positions in government with a failure to discharge responsibilities under the [Belfast] agreement to dismantle their terrorist organisations", Mr Trimble said. However, he added that he accepted that people could change, and he was prepared to work with anyone who had the interests of peace at heart.
In comments clearly directed at Sinn Fein, the First Minister said he would lead anyone who took the road of peace. He acknowledged the "welcome developments" this week - a reference to the statement by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, that violence must be a thing of the past, and to the decision to nominate Mr Martin McGuinness as the party's representative on the arms decommissioning body.
But "words alone could not heal the mistrust; deeds will", Mr Trimble said. "People want not just to hear of peace, they want to see it. And they deserve it." In comments apparently directed at Sinn Fein, he said every move made by those who were "crossing the bridge from terror to democracy" would be welcomed.
Earlier, the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, urged everyone in Northern Ireland to have the "vision, courage and commitment to move forward". Mr Blair spoke of the need for courage and, without naming Mr Trimble, who is under pressure to meet Mr Adams, praised "the courage to move ahead, to take risks, to be prepared, even when close supporters criticise, to have the imagination which is the hallmark of true leadership".
Mr Blair said there were those in Northern Ireland "who can give you 15 reasons for staying still, 1,500 reasons for going back, but not one for going forward. Yet this is the time to go forward, carefully, yes, but with the certainty that there is no alternative but to carry on".
Sinn Fein gave a guarded welcome afterwards to Mr Trimble's speech. Mr McGuinness, sitting in the front row with Mr Adams, said the UUP leader's speech was disappointing and that the best way to resolve difficulties was to engage in dialogue. Mr Adams said there were issues that his party could not deliver on.
"The reality of the situation is that I have welcomed David Trimble's words, but all of us need to move into implementing and fulfilling our responsibilities. There are certain things that Sinn Fein cannot deliver on. There are certain things which we have pledged ourselves to in the agreement - alongside the two governments and the other parties - to deliver; we all need now to deliver our shared responsibilities", Mr Adams said.
Whether Mr Trimble is now ready to meet Sinn Fein in a face-to-face situation will become clear soon, but the UUP leader confirmed his commitment to making the new Assembly work. Mr Trimble said he had no doubt that there would be difficulties along the way, but the opportunity for peace had to be taken. If it was not, "our children and our children's children will not understand".
The Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, shared this sentiment. He pledged that the Assembly would deliver on the Belfast Agreement and ensure that it became a "beacon of hope for this generation".
Mr Mallon paid tribute to Mr Clinton, who, he said, had helped Northern Ireland break free from the violent impasse of the past 30 years. He also praised the unwavering support of Mr Blair and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, particularly during the "concluding days of the multi-party negotiations". He reserved special tribute to Senator George Mitchell, who chaired the talks.
However, it was now up to the local politicians to ensure that the terms of the Belfast Agreement were honoured and implemented in full, he added.