The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, has described his expected meeting later today with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, as "a step towards bringing about a new relationship" between the people of Ireland North and South.
In an interview published in today's London Times Mr Adams said he "profoundly disagreed" with the Mr Blair's assertion after the UK general election that there would not be a united Ireland in his lifetime.
But Mr Adams said that while his goal was a united Ireland "in the shortest possible period" he would listen to unionists at the talks before deciding what was attainable.
Questioned about whether the IRA would return to violence if Sinn Fein did not get what it wanted out of the talks process he said: "As far as I'm concerned the IRA is out of the equation."
Mr Adams praised Mr Blair for quickly removing the "obstacles to dialogue" and spoke of the Prime Minister's "caring vision". The Times said the Sinn Fein leader suggested that the difference between the present British government and that of John Major was like night and day.