THE US Vice President, Mr Al Gore, was loudly applauded when he told a gathering of Irish Americans that Sinn Fein should "ideally be sitting at the same table" as the other political parties in Northern Ireland in the negotiations for a new style of government.
Addressing the Irish American Presidential Forum, the Vice President said Sinn Fein could only be at the table when the IRA ceasefire is restored. "And when all agree that those who preach violence are given no legitimate voice in deciding Northern Ireland's future."
Mr Gore said these were "tall orders and courageous and often difficult decisions have to be made. But failure is simply not an option." He said: "A choice has already been made by the people of Northern Ireland and it is clearly for peace, not war reason not hatred; progress not retreat."
Mr Gore said even with the breakdown of the ceasefire last February and the sectarian strife over the summer months, "there has been no return to full scale violence and there must not be."
Praising the "brave men and women" of Northern Ireland who are working for peace, the Vice President said "their task will not be done until political violence is brought to an end once and for all." He said that "the just society can give no quarter to thugs." Only through democratic means can there be a settlement of differences.
Mr Gore pledged "on behalf of the President that he and I will do all we can to play a strong supportive role to help restore the ceasefire and to encourage all those who would lay down their arms and walk on the path of peace and reconciliation."
The Vice President said: "We have already made historic progress along this path and there are many reasons to be optimistic about the days ahead. One of the things I have learned is that even when there are setbacks, there is much to be gained in seeking ways beyond the setbacks."
Nobody could be under the illusion that the work is done. "Now we must turn our eyes to Stormont Castle outside Belfast and our hopes and prayers must go out to the men and women who gather there in the name of peace.
He said, "They must build a new bridge of understanding between north and south and between Ireland and the United Kingdom. But ideally they should do so with all the parties, including Sinn Fein, sitting at the same table."