The power of veto over the political process should not be given to those who threaten violence, the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, has told delegates at an international conference in Belfast.
Mr Trimble and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, joined the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the former peace talks chairman, Mr George Mitchell, for a question and answer session at yesterday's session of the State of the World Forum.
The leaders responded to questions on the Northern peace process, the Kosovo crisis, and aspects of political leadership from academics, human rights activists and students from around the world.
Almost 800 participants from 55 countries will take part in seven days of events to be held this week in Belfast and Dublin under the theme, "The Challenge of Reconciliation - Diversity and Community in the Global Age". It is the first time the forum has been convened outside the US.
Referring to his party's demand for a credible beginning to decommissioning before the establishment of a power-sharing executive, Mr Trimble said the IRA's refusal to disarm had created a problem of confidence. "What we are trying to do is encourage the people who haven't yet started to begin so we complete the process of transition as soon as possible."
Mr Mallon said the arms issue was "not insurmountable" and should not halt the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. He stressed that the political process was only just now beginning to fill the vacuum left by years of violence.
Mr Mitchell said the challenge to the political leaders of Northern Ireland was to attempt to replace the lofty aspirations proclaimed by paramilitary organisations with universal human aspirations such as equal opportunities, the right to work and the ability to raise a family in safe and secure surroundings. "The political parties and leaders have to remain true to those ideals."
Dr Mowlam said the political future of Northern Ireland would ultimately be decided by its people with the principle of consent an important aspect of the Belfast Agreement.
Actress and human rights activist Bianca Jagger was a panellist for a discussion on the conflict in Kosovo at yesterday's session. She said the Serbian President, Mr Slobodan Milosevic, had been mistaken by Western governments in the past as a "partner" in the Balkans peace process. She favoured the introduction of NATO ground troops into Kosovo. "We should intervene for the right reasons and go in and protect the people inside Kosovo."