Hume's role was pivotal, says Adams

Sinn Fein has welcomed the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr John Hume and Mr David Trimble and said the Ulster Unionists are now obliged to move forward with the peace process.

The party was particularly pleased that the SDLP leader had been honoured. Speaking in New York, Mr Gerry Adams said Mr Hume had played a pivotal role in the peace process.

"Indeed, there would be no peace process but for his courage and vision. Despite great personal attacks on his integrity and humanity, John never wavered in his commitment to peace. No one deserves this accolade more."

Mr Adams was more reserved in his reaction to the Ulster Unionist leader's award. "I wish Mr Trimble well. The peace prize carries with it enormous responsibility. The focus must be for all of us to push through the speedy implementation of the [Belfast] agreement."

The Sinn Fein MP, Mr Martin McGuinness, said the announcement of the award for Mr Hume was "a proud day for all the people of Derry". Apart from the two recipients many other people, especially Mr Adams, had contributed greatly to the peace process, he said.

The Republican Sinn Fein president, Mr Ruairi O Bradaigh, said Mr Hume was committed to a "Pax Britannica" and had worked to update, not end, British rule in Ireland.

Mr Trimble had secured the safety of the Union through the Belfast Agreement, he said, and was now "attempting to secure the final public surrender and humiliation of erstwhile republicans".

A spokesman for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement said: "The key question remains whether the Stormont deal will lead to a united Ireland and lasting peace, or whether this is a mirage that will fall apart because the basic causes of conflict under British rule remain.

"Awards should wait until this question is answered or risk being consigned to the same dustbin of history as that award given to the Peace People."

Although pro-agreement republicans did not publicly comment on Mr Adams's failure to be honoured, privately many expressed disappointment. "Nobody has worked harder for peace than Gerry," said one Sinn Fein figure in west Belfast.

"He has put huge energy and effort into this process. It wouldn't have happened without him. John Hume deserved the award, but the same can't be said for David Trimble."

Other sources thought it would have been appropriate if Mr Adams had been able to celebrate winning the Nobel Peace Prize at his 50th birthday party in Greenwich Village, New York, tonight.

Another pro-agreement republican in west Belfast said he understood there had to be some recognition of the unionist community but he still thought the wrong man was being honoured.

"OK, Trimble signed up to the Good Friday agreement, but not that long ago he marched triumphantly down the Garvaghy Road, and he hasn't stood up to his own hardliners.

"Gerry Adams has shown leadership. Trimble has been dragged along reluctantly throughout the peace process."

Dissident republicans along the Border were not displeased that the Sinn Fein president had not been honoured but believed he had made an "immense contribution" to the peace process.