David Trimble: 'great political courage led to the peace agreement'

The Brown Palace hotel in Denver offered no hint that a Nobel Peace Prize winner was hidden inside

The Brown Palace hotel in Denver offered no hint that a Nobel Peace Prize winner was hidden inside. No balloons, no crowds, no red carpet. The television satellite trucks had not even arrived.

Up on the eighth floor, however, things were bustling in the rooms of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board.

Aides scrambled, computers hummed. Just after 10.30 a.m. David Trimble emerged from his room to face the media.

With the demeanour of a practised statesman, he began: "One is pleased to receive such a substantial honour. This prize is for everybody in Northern Ireland. Everyone will take pleasure in this prize to John Hume and me. My only concern is that I hope it doesn't prove to be premature. We're in the process of implementing this agreement. I hope the prize will encourage people."

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With a few more words, Mr Trimble sprinted off from the elevator area and headed to a private room and a camera from Ulster Television. Along the way he was asked about the fact that Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams had not been part of the award. His expression hardened.

"We are the centre of gravity of the movement. I feel happy to share this award with John Hume. Our parties were the key parties in the agreement and in the process. The committee acted wisely."

There were to be no concessions to Mr Adams on the morning Mr Trimble had been invited into a club that includes Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. Then he settled down to business, surrounded by lights and a single television pool camera. One after another, the satellite feeds changed hands: BBC, BSkyB, NBC and ABC in America.

Again and again, Mr Trimble repeated his comments. He seemed to brace himself physically for these sound bites, the ones in which he said the republicans were a conspiratorial movement, that he hoped the prize would encourage them to hold up their end of the bargain.

"Now the republicans must fulfil their promises," he said, jaw tight. A moment later, the language shifted. "I think they will. I hope they will be encouraged. We've crossed a watershed this year. There are still hurdles and obstacles. But this prize is for all the people of Northern Ireland, all the people who have endorsed the process."

As time wore on, Mr Trimble seemed to relax. Soon he was ready for some serious teasing. "Now wait a minute. What's all this NBC and ABC? Where's Rupert [Murdoch]? I've got to do Rupert. He runs everything, runs the newspapers. I don't want him upset."

Then it was time to be off. His mood had improved greatly in the hour, when he first looked a bit sour that he had been woken at 6 a.m. to receive the news. Perhaps it was the prospect of his impending departure for Belfast as much as the prize.

His last words: "I'm leaving for the airport this afternoon. I'm going home!"