Nationalists in the North would take pride in the election of Mrs Mary McAleese as President and "rational unionists" would understand her deep desire for peace, the SDLP conference in Belfast was told last night.
Mr Jonathan Stephenson, the party's chairman, said Mrs McAleese's election "will have done much to reassure the Northern nationalist community that their concerns and sensitivities matter too".
At the same time, he said, "unionists, or at least rational unionists, will understand where the President is coming from and will know that when she tells them where she wants to go, and talks to them about reconciliation and diversity, she does so from her experiences of life in the North over the past quarter-century and from her deep desire for peace".
He said the SDLP had "high hopes" for the Labour administration in Britain, but had reservations about some of its decisions.
"Don't think we appreciate the suggestion that the powers of the Parades' Commission be extended to cover legitimate cultural activities - because we don't.
"Don't think we like the idea that each year the threat of superior force and even greater levels of civil unrest will see Orange feet walking the Garvaghy Road in the total absence of government policy and government will - because we don't."
On the Stormont talks, Mr Stephenson wondered if the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, had the courage to face down the "rancid rhetoric" of his critics on the "wilder shores of ultra-unionism" such as Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Robert McCartney.
"As for the so-called republican movement, it would be nice to think that their political representatives also will soon start the painful process of engaging with reality," Mr Stephenson said.
Sinn Fein leaders had to tell their followers that "a united unitary Ireland is not an immediately attainable option". "No one denies their right to argue for it and argue for it they are doing. But when reality sinks in, the splits will show. This always happens and it's happening already.
"The question for Sinn Fein is, will the majority which emerges be prepared to acquiesce in arrangements which they do not regard as sufficient but can portray as dynamic and allowing for continued political struggle towards their objectives?
"We will not have long to wait for the answer to that, but if in the end so-called republicans stand outside the consensus, then, so be it," he said.