The following is the full text of the statement made by the talks chairman, Senator George J. Mitchell, at yesterday's historic plenary session of the peace talks.
"I'm pleased to announce that the two governments, and the political parties of Northern Ireland, have reached agreement.
"The agreement proposes changes in the Irish Constitution and in British constitutional law to enshrine the principle that it is the people of Northern Ireland who will decide, democratically, their own future.
"The agreement creates new institutions: a Northern Ireland Assembly to restore to the people the fundamental democratic right to govern themselves; and a North-South Council, to encourage co-operation and joint action for mutual benefit.
"It deals fairly with such sensitive issues as prisoners, policing, decommissioning and the importance of achieving equality of treatment for the whole community.
"This agreement is good for the people of Ireland, north and south.
"It was made possible by the leadership, commitment and in these last few days, the personal negotiating skill of the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern.
"Their commitment has been evident by their presence here for days, their hands-on style, their all-night effort.
"The people of Ireland and of the United Kingdom have been ably and honourably represented at these talks by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach and we're honoured by their presence.
"This agreement is a reason to celebrate. But by itself it guarantees nothing.
"If it is approved in referendums, north and south, it offers the chance for a better future.
"But to secure that future it will take the good faith efforts of the leaders gathered here, and the commitment of all the people of Northern Ireland.
"Making the assembly work, making the North-South Council effective, will test these leaders as much as did getting this agreement.
"The people of Northern Ireland will make the difference.
"If you support this agreement, and if you also reject the merchants of death and the purveyors of hate, if you make it clear to your political leaders that you want them to make it work, then it will.
"The choice is yours.
"This agreement proves that democracy works, and in its wake we can say to the men of violence, to those who disdain democracy, whose tools are bombs and bullets: Your way is not the right way.
"You will never solve the problems of Northern Ireland by violence. You will only make them worse.
"It doesn't take courage to shoot a policeman in the back of the head, or to murder an unarmed taxi-driver.
"What takes courage is to compete in the arena of democracy, where the tools are persuasion, fairness and common decency.
"You should help to build this society instead of tearing it apart.
"You can learn something from some of the lives you've destroyed.
"The agreement doesn't mention them but between its lines are the lives of Damian Trainor and Philip Allen.
"They were two young men, best friends, who saw each other as human beings, not as a Protestant and a Catholic. Philip was to be married with Damian as his best man.
"Instead they lie buried, near each other, sharing death as they shared life, victims last month of a brutal and senseless murder.
"Their deaths showed what Northern Ireland has had to endure. Their lives showed what Northern Ireland can be. This agreement points the way.
"For that, credit must go to many people, especially those here today.
"You will shortly hear from each of the political leaders of Northern Ireland.
"Let me first speak of them collectively. They have negotiated tirelessly for two years. They've constantly had to strike a balance between their obligations to their constituents and the needs of the larger society.
"Through it all they kept their sense of purpose. They understood that the alternative to agreement is unthinkable. And they delivered.
"They delivered an agreement that's fair and balanced and offers hope to the people of Northern Ireland. For that they deserve the gratitude of their people and the just verdict of history."