It has been a momentous week in Northern Ireland; a week when even an act of wanton political vandalism like that at Markethill - or yesterday's INLA attack on an RUC station in Derry - could not take from the tide of optimism about the future. Remarkable progress has been made, more than most thought possible during the dark days at Canary Wharf, Bessbrook, Lurgan and elsewhere. The most important round of Anglo-Irish negotiations since the Treaty deliberations over seventy-five years ago, are poised to begin - and virtually all shades of nationalist and unionist opinion on this island will be represented.
The decision of Mr David Trimble's Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to participate in the talks marks a political watershed. The UUP has hauled itself out of the trenches and approached the task of defending the union with new confidence and vigour. Through it all, Mr David Trimble has shown no little political adroitness and skill. His decision to spend the summer canvassing opinion in the unionist hinterland where many - in business, in the churches and among the unions - had tired of the traditional, defensive approach, helped to smooth the way for eventual entry to the talks. And his stirring words this week that he stands ready to confront Sinn Fein at the talks, will have been warmly welcomed by many unionists.
Mr Trimble may have - in the manner of F.W. de Klerk - crossed a political Rubicon but there is no sense that he is moving ahead of his people, a charge levelled a quarter of a century ago at some of his predecessors. His own stature within the UUP and within the wider unionist community has, if anything, been consolidated by the events of this week. By contrast, it appears that Dr Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) appears marginalised and uncertain. The pace of events will continue to quicken next week as both governments seek to move the negotiations into a more substantial phase. There will assuredly be no shortage of grandstanding as the UUP presses its case against Sinn Fein and renewed efforts are made to resolve the decommissioning issue. All of this will serve as a reminder that - notwithstanding the very real progress achieved - we are merely at the beginning of what will be a challenging and demanding process for all concerned. The difficulties which block the path to progress must not be underestimated for there are deep-seated fears on both sides of the sectarian divide about the kind of compromise and accommodation that will be required to effect real change. After 25 years of bloodshed there is a strong residue of mistrust and bitterness. But there is also, assuredly, no alternative to the peace process which has been rebuilt so painstakingly by both governments. The enemies of the peace are still lurking in the wings; they must not be allowed to return to centre-stage.