By Barry McCaffrey

IT was a day and an image, captured by a single pool photographer, that few people thought they would ever see in their lifetime.

The image of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams sitting side-by-side is being seen as one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in a political process that has taken more than 20 years to come to fruition.

For 35 years Paisley had refused to even speak to Adams or Martin Mc-Guinness, let alone issuing joint statements with the leader of modern day Irish republicanism, who openly wore a Lily commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising on his lapel throughout the unprecedented event.

Details of what was to unfold at the historic meeting in the dining room at Stormont buildings had been kept a closely guarded secret from all but senior members of the DUP and Sinn Fein before 11 a.m. on Monday.

While there were no handshakes between the two physical embodiments of Ulster loyalism and Irish republicanism, the image of them telling the world that they are now prepared to share power has resurrected hopes of a lasting political agreement.

Committing his party to working in government with Republicans, Paisley said, “We have agreed with Sinn Fein that this date will be Tuesday, 8 May, 2007. As the largest party in Northern Ireland we are committed to playing a full part in all the institutions and delivering the best future for the people of Northern Ireland.

“In the period before devolution we will participate fully with the other parties to the Executive in making full preparations for the restoration of devolution.”

Admitting that the meeting with Adams and the Sinn Fein leadership represented an “important step,” Paisley said he was now prepared to work hand-in-hand with Irish Republicans, after more than 35 years of vehement opposition to everything they represented.

“After a long and difficult time in the province I believe that enormous opportunities lie ahead for Northern Ireland. Devol-ution has never been an end in itself but is about making a positive difference to people’s lives,” he said.

“I want to make it clear that I am committed to delivering not only for those who voted for the DUP but for all the people of Northern Ireland. We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future.

“In looking to that future we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, emerging. We owe it to them to craft and build the best future possible and ensure there is genuine support for those who are still suffering.”

As Paisley looked on, Adams predicted that the historic agreement marked “the beginning of a new era of politics on this island.”

“The discussions and agreement between our two parties shows the potential of what can now be achieved,” he said.

“The relationships between the people of this island have been marred by centuries of discord, conflict, hurt and tragedy. In particular this has been the sad history of orange and green.

“Ach ta tus nua ann anois le cuidiu De ( But there is now a new beginning, with the help of God). Sinn Fein is about building a new relationship between orange and green and all the other colors, where every citizen can share and have equality of ownership of a peaceful, prosperous and just future.”

Cautioning that there were still serious challenges and difficulties to be faced in the future, he said, “We have all come a very long way in the process of peace making and national reconciliation. We are very conscious of the many people who have suffered.

“We owe it to them to build the best future possible. It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good and of the future of all our people.

“I am pleased to say that collectively we have created the potential to build a new, harmonious and equitable relationship between Nationalists and Republicans and Unionists, as well as the rest of the people of the island of Ireland.”

British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the political breakthrough as an “important day” for the entire populations of Ireland and Britain.

“In a sense, everything we have done over the last 10 years has been a preparation for this moment, because the people of Northern Ireland have spoken through the election,” he said.

“They have said we want peace and power sharing and the political leadership has then come in behind that and said we will deliver what people want,” he said.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern described the agreement as “unprecedented” and “positive.”

“We move forward (from today) in an entirely new spirit and with every expectation of success,” he said. “This has the potential to transform the future of this island.”

Secretary of State Peter Hain described the meeting as “deeply significant.”

“Today the clouds have lifted and the people can see the future,” he said. “Those pictures of Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams will resonate around the world.”

SDLP leader Mark Durkan gave a guarded welcome to the agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP, but criticized the six week delay in restoring the Stormont executive.

“If we have to spend another 40 days and 40 nights in direct rule, let’s make the most of it,” he said.

Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey gave an equally guarded welcome to the agreement.

“(Ian Paisley) gave Gerry Adams a huge propaganda coup (today) and he has given Sinn Fein very significant bargaining power with the government,” he said. “I am sure they will, and have, extracted further concessions out of the government as a consequence.”

In a joint statement, Catholic Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady, Presbyterian Moderator David Clarke, Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Alan Harper and Methodist President Ivan McElhinney said they hoped the political agreement would contribute towards a “stable future for Northern Ireland.”

“We would encourage all to continue to pray for our whole community and our future together,” they said.

Former SDLP leader John Hume, who was awarded a Nobel Prize for his efforts to promote peace, welcomed the meeting between Paisley and Adams, but said he regretted it had not taken place 30 years before.

Hume had been a minister in the Sunningdale power sharing executive in 1974 brought down by Loyalist protests led by Paisley.

He expressed regret that much of the “terrible pain” of the Troubles could have been avoided if Paisley and Adams had agreed to share power 30 years ago.

“It is about time that these two parties did so,” he said.

“What I am really saying is if they had shown the commitment to Sunningdale that they are now showing to the Good Friday Agreement, we would have made enormous progress by now and, of course, we would have avoided the terrible pain of the last 30 years.”

Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, who chaired the Good Friday Agreement negotiations in 1998, welcomed the political breakthrough, but warned that huge work remained to be undertaken to build confidence between Loyalist and Nationalist communities.

“It’s a deeply divided society, it continues that way,’’ he said. “While one can agree on political and security measures, it takes a very long time, generations perhaps, to change people’s hearts and minds.

“So while this is a very important step, no one should think that trust and love is going to be breaking out tomorrow between the two communities in Northern Ireland. That will take a long time, but this is a tremendous step forward.”