THE Presbyterian Church has strongly welcomed the accommodation reached by unionists to save the all party peace talks last week, and expressed the hope that it will be possible for Sinn Fein to take part.
In a detailed statement urging generosity and responsibility in this moment of opportunity, the Church and Government Committee said that it is imperative for the talks to succeed.
The committee said.
"In a tense situation, it is a time for carefully measured speech. Intemperate language does not persuade and may inflame. Since these negotiations will require flexibility, we welcome the flexibility which saved the all party talks. The resolution of such impasses will continue to require all round flexibility.
Since arms can be replaced, decommissioning is an issue primarily related to the building of trust and confidence, rather than only a matter of security.
"The Church and Government Committee has found Senator Mitchell to be a man of sensitivity and integrity.
We hope that the loyalist paramilitaries will hold steady to their ceasefire and continue to allow the politicians associated with them to exercise political leadership.
"The peace process is not exclusively in the hands of elected politicians. Congregations should be involved in facilitating under standing and building trust across the deep, and frequently hidden, lines of rupture in their local communities.
"There is no solution which is purely a Strand One solution internal to Northern Ireland. Thin means that unionists must address themselves seriously to the substantive challenges of North South relationships under Strand Two and build confidence with the nationalist community on this issue.
"There is no solution which does not include Strand One. Nationalists need to address themselves seriously to the substantive challenges of Strand One and build confidence with the unionist community on this issue.
"East West relationships to be, addressed in Strand Three are relevant to everyone and need the imaginative input of all parties. (This is not a private inter governmental affair.)
"We seek accommodation. We do not want killing, bombing, funerals, dislocation and grief. There is no way that we want to return to that."