There is life in the Belfast Agreement, and the North's politicians may yet reach a compromise which would secure peace, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, told SDLP conference delegates.
As Senator George Mitchell returns to Belfast today and prepares to deliver a report on his review of the agreement, Mr Mandelson acknowledged the acute difference the next few days could make for future generations.
"This is a crucial point in Northern Ireland's history," he told a packed hall of more than 500 delegates.
"George Mitchell's review has yet to be completed. It is not helpful for any of us to speculate about what the outcome may be. Politicians are right to take whatever time they need and explore whatever avenues are open to them to find a way through.
"But today I want to make this absolutely crystal clear: there is life - and a long life - in the Good Friday agreement. As long as I am Secretary of State the agreement will endure. And for as long as politicians keep talking, it remains the best hope for Northern Ireland."
Mr Mandelson was the guest speaker at the conference on Saturday, and received a standing ovation at the end of his speech. He was accompanied by the North's political development minister, Mr George Howarth.
Mr Mandelson's opening remarks were greeted with loud applause when he said it was his first party conference speech in the North, and he was "very glad indeed to be putting the SDLP first".
Urging people to be patient in the coming days, Mr Mandelson said: "These talks might, just might, bring the compromise that secures a peaceful, democratic future for generations to come. A few more days is a small price to pay. So give the politicians time. They know what is at stake. They want to deliver. For everyone's sake they must deliver."
Mr Mandelson said he believed differences over "key planks" of the agreement could be bridged, "but we must not underestimate the task the politicians face".
Politicians had yet to agree a way of taking the gun out of politics for good and setting up a power-sharing executive. But any agreement must be reached by local politicians making key decisions together.
He said: "I am not in the business of forcing decisions over local people's heads. I cannot impose a solution on Northern Ireland. I have no cards up my sleeve. Contrary to what you might read in the newspapers, there are no smoke and mirrors at my disposal. If I ever had them, I'm afraid I left them behind."
Mr Mandelson lauded Senator Mitchell, his predecessor as Northern secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the SDLP for their roles in the peace process.
The SDLP had been the "rock of democratic nationalism", he said. "Even in the darkest years of violence and alienation, John Hume and Seamus Mallon strove to develop a mature, tolerant brand of politics, a constitutional nationalism based on respect for rights, everyone's rights. The Good Friday agreement is testament to what has been central to SDLP thinking for years."
He also praised the leaders of the pro-agreement parties, including the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams.
"I believe that David Trimble has achieved more for unionists than any other unionist leader this century," he said. "He has helped to ensure that the principle of consent so dear to unionists is at the very heart of the Good Friday agreement. And he has reached out and developed constructive, inclusive working relationships with nationalist politicians."
Mr Mandelson also said he recognised "the distance that Gerry Adams has travelled. He has argued consistently the differences between unionist, nationalist, loyalist and republican can only be resolved by inclusive political dialogue and shared responsibility. Without them we would not have the realistic hope of peace and stability that the Good Friday agreement gives us."