SENATOR George Mitchell yesterday urged participants in the North's multi party peace talks to look to the future rather than the past.
With the talks due to resume at Castle Buildings in Stormont today, the independent chairman said people should see that the only way forward was through peaceful dialogue which was inclusive and meaningful, and in which they listened to and took account of other points of view.
The talks, he believed, represented the foundation for this. Whether the talks were the exclusive basis for such progress was for the people themselves to judge, but he thought they did serve as "an appropriate basis".
In a wide ranging interview on BBC radio, Senator Mitchell avoided detailed comment on the talks process, saying he was, bound by confidentiality.
He said he had come to like the people of Northern Ireland very much, and to like the place. He admired the effort that was now under way. "I believe there is a genuine and perhaps a historic opportunity to turn the history of this place to one of peace and reconciliation, and it's the factor which motivates me, keeps me going and, I think, keeps the people going, in the process."
Asked about reports that he might be offered the post of Secretary of State if President Clinton wins the US election, he said he hoped the President would be re-elected and that Secretary of State Mr Warren Christopher would remain. "If he doesn't, and if the President asks me to undertake some other duty, I will certainly consider that seriously at the time."
On the same programme, the UUP security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis MP, paid tribute to Senator Mitchell, commenting that it was only fair to say that he had maintained an impartiality and a patience that were quite remarkable.
The Observer reported yesterday that Senator Mitchell will return to the US next month to help President Clinton prepare for television debates during the election campaign.