The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, will cross the threshold of 10 Downing Street this afternoon for a meeting with Mr Tony Blair which encapsulates the imagery of past failure and conflict and hope for future peace in Northern Ireland.
Mr Adams will lead a seven-member delegation into the first talks between a British Prime Minister and republican leaders since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty 76 years ago, affirming his commitment to the "unfinished business" of Irish unity.
In an opening statement of positions, Mr Blair will tell Sinn Fein that the principles of consent and sufficient consensus will govern the outcome of the talks, and he will seek to engage Mr Adams with the heads of an agreement he wants to see in place by next May.
Mr Blair yesterday fought off DUP criticism, describing today's encounter as a vital element in moving towards "a lasting settlement to the problems of Northern Ireland." Sources said he hoped to establish a relationship with the Sinn Fein negotiators and "the beginning of an understanding" that his government was committed to political change in the North.
Mr Blair is also expected to re peat there can be no change to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland without the consent of a majority of the people there. He will also spell out that Sinn Fein's participation in the process is contingent upon a continuing commitment to the Mitchell principles of peace and democracy and the cost to the party should that commitment be breached. In the Commons yesterday, the Rev Ian Paisley challenged Mr Blair's determination to treat Sinn Fein on the same basis as other parties in the talks process. "Those other leaders represented in this House don't come to Downing Street with three members of an outlawed army council which controls the Semtex for the bombing and the murder weapons that do the killing," he said.
"Are you not aware that these very members were there when Downing Street was blown up and an attempt was made to kill the previous cabinet of this country?"
Mr Blair told Dr Paisley: "Of course I recall that and I recall all the violence and injury that has been done by the Provisional IRA over a very long period of time, but if we can't get the parties talking in this process, we will never get a lasting settlement to the problems of Northern Ireland."