THE US chairman of the Northern Ireland talks, Mr George Mitchell, says he remains hopeful that a settlement can be reached. The former senator, who returns to Belfast next week for the resumption of the talks, said: "I don't know exactly when it (peace) will come, but I believe it is inevitable for one overriding reason: it is the will of the overwhelming majority of the people of Northern Ireland."
Addressing a graduation ceremony at Suffolk University in, Boston, Mr Mitchell added: "They remained divided along sectarian lines and they mistrust each other but they share a fervent desire not to return to the violence which for so long has filled their lives with fear and anxiety."
He said it would take a long time for the mistrust to end, but it need not take a long time for the violence to end.
"The people of Northern Ireland must make it clear to their leaders that they oppose violence and they want meaningful negotiations. Not capitulation, not the surrender of convictions, but good-faith negotiations that place the interests of the people above personal or political considerations. Good-faith negotiations can produce an agreed settlement in Northern Ireland."