The Stormont talks have finally begun tackling the "nuts and bolts" of the issues that divide nationalists and unionists, according to the British and Irish governments and the main parties to the negotiations. North-South relationships and the conflict of British and Irish identities and allegiances were top of the agenda during yesterday's Strand Two meeting of the Stormont talks examining the crucial issue of any future Irish dimension of a settlement.
It was the first session attended by the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews. His initial impression was that these negotiations provided "optimism and hope" of a solution which contrasted strongly with the mood prevailing at the failed 1991-92 talks in which he had also been a participant.
All the talks delegations, including the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Sinn Fein, engaged in yesterday's negotiations. The parties presented formal positions on the type of agreement they would favour, and afterwards there was an exchange of views among the different sides.
However, the UUP, whose position was put by the deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, said members refused to answer questions from Sinn Fein because the UUP still did not view Sinn Fein as a "constitutional party".
Ms Bairbre de Brun, a Sinn Fein ardchomhairle member, said unionists had "engaged" in the negotiations, although Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, the UUP MP for Lagan Valley, insisted the only exchange was their declared refusal through the chairman, Mr George Mitchell, to answer Sinn Fein questions.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, nonetheless described the meeting as a "very valuable start to Strand Two". She added: "For the first time I felt there was really an engagement among all the parties. We grappled with the complexities of allegiance.
"It was a very considered and powerful exchange between many of the participants, including the unionist delegation. For the first time I felt we were getting down to the nuts and bolts of the things that divide us, and the things that might possibly unite us."
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, said the talks had been "given momentum, and it was a good day's work". Mr Andrews said he had to be hopeful about the outcome of the talks. "Unionists can talk about anything within the talks. They don't need reassurance from me. Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein can talk about a united Ireland. There is no question of time limits, as is being suggested on these matters. Everything is open for discussion. Everything is on the table."
Mr Andrews engaged in several bilateral meetings with party leaders, including the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, outside yesterday's plenary session. He described his meeting with Mr Trimble as a "very warm meeting lasting more than 30 minutes". He hoped the DUP and the UK Unionists would rejoin the talks. "If we had everyone in there it would be a huge push for peace."
Mr Andrews, in presenting the Government's position at the plenary, spoke of the need for North-South bodies with an executive function. Such a development was required to "assuage nationalist concerns". Similar points, also embracing allegiance and identity, were made by the SDLP and Sinn Fein.
While the UUP did not respond to Sinn Fein concerns, which included a call for a united Ireland, its members did address some similar points made by the SDLP delegation, which included the leader, Mr John Hume, and deputy leader, Mr Seamus Mallon.
The SDLP team argued that there must be North-South bodies "characterised by a range of capacities and executive responsibilities as will enable them to attract support and allegiance throughout the island".
Mr Taylor said cross-Border bodies with executive power were "totally unacceptable". Unionists did not object to more general co-operation, but would prefer if the concentration was on the east-west, British-Irish dimension rather than on the North-South relationship.
Strand Two meetings will continue in the coming weeks, addressing other matters, such as constitutional issues and future structures and arrangements for government. Mr Seamus Mallon said he expected that by the third or fourth week all the parties would be engrossed in the "nitty gritty" of the talks.
Ms O'Donnell hoped the parties would soon tackle constitutional matters and an overall framework for a solution.
