Breakthrough talks - Lasting North peace within reach

IT would be hard to exaggerate the symbolic significance of yesterday’s groundbreaking meeting between Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and Hugh Orde, Chief Constable of the PSNI, the North’s police force.

Mr Adams’ upbeat assessment after the meeting, hosted in Downing Street by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will fan hopes that as genuine progress is achieved around the negotiating table, lasting democracy may finally be in reach.

Just as significant were the upbeat remarks of DUP leader Ian Paisley after his meeting in Belfast with General John de Chastelain, the Canadian officer responsible for overseeing weapons decommissioning by paramilitary organisations.