The new Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, on his first official working day at Stormont, insisted that there was no alternative to the Belfast Agreement. "It is that or nothing," he said at Castle Buildings yesterday.
Mr Mandelson, who was accompanied by his predecessor, Dr Mo Mowlam, said the pro-agreement parties must remain committed to the implementation of the agreement. He called on senior figures in the political parties to show the necessary leadership to ensure Senator George Mitchell's review succeeds.
"I think trust is the key. There has got to be movement," he said. "There has got to be an accommodation, and that can only come through hard discussions, and that is what the coming weeks are going to see," he said at a press conference.
He believed future politics here rested on the Belfast Agreement and he would work "night and day" to see it implemented. "There is no alternative to it. There is no Plan B. It is that or nothing," Mr Mandelson added.
He said that, while he could assist, facilitate and encourage political progress, it was up to the party leaders themselves to break the deadlock over decommissioning and the formation of an executive. "I can't deliver any party or leader. They have to deliver themselves," he said.
He said he would be seeking an early meeting with the Irish Government. The relationship between the two governments was of great importance. "If we did not have it, we would not be where we are today, so near to implementing the agreement."
Mr Mandelson said the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, still placed the "highest possible priority" on Northern Ireland. "I don't believe I would be here if he didn't," he added.
Dr Mowlam said Mr Mandelson was "a well-known good friend of Tony", for whom the Prime Minister had great respect. His appointment was "another example of the Prime Minister's commitment to this process".
Mr Mandelson paid tribute to his predecessor. Addressing Dr Mowlam he said: "I know already, having been in Belfast working since this morning, what an incredibly difficult act you are to follow, what you have done here, the impact you have made, the friendships you have made, the high standard that you have created.
"It is something that I am going to work very hard indeed to maintain, and to take forward. Thank you very much for the huge legacy you have left me, on which it is now my job to build."
And he added: "If I am to do half as well as she has done I will be doing pretty well."
Dr Mowlam said she was sad to be leaving Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Office staff applauded Dr Mowlam at the conclusion of the press conference. Before leaving she also spoke to and shook hands with many of the journalists present.
