The SDLP deputy leader, Mr Seamus Mallon MP, told the conference that without a NorthSouth executive dimension to any settlement the talks would not succeed. He also took a swipe at republicans whose philosophy of violence is determined by the pre-Treaty past.
Mr Mallon said each generation had a right to write its own history. "If we keep paying debts to the past we will be rooted in the problems of the past," he added. "So let's work on the premise that this generation is going to write its own history, that it is not going to be hamstrung by debts to the past or promises to the future."
In a point directed at fundamentalist republicanism, he said people must realise that while nationalists would dearly wish to be starting out from a "pre-1920" situation, they must nonetheless face the reality of today. "We start from where we are. And we have got to create an institutional arrangement that is unique to the North of Ireland, to the needs of this whole island, and the needs of the developing world."
New arrangements must not be minimalist and must carry a dynamic and a capacity to effect changes. There must be a NorthSouth institution with executive powers. "Without it there will be no Strand One. Without it there is no agreement sustainable. Without it there will be no agreement that will be validated properly by referendum."
Mr Sean Farren, a member of the SDLP talks team, said confidence could only be brought to the talks with proper engagement from the unionist parties and a realisation by Sinn Fein "that confidence-building is a two-way street". He said all parties must be capable of enjoying shared ownership of any settlement.
The former West Belfast MP, Dr Joe Hendron, said his success in taking the seat from Mr Gerry Adams in 1992 was the "catalyst which propelled Sinn Fein into the very heart of the political process. It rekindled in the minds and hearts of ordinary people that the path of peace was the only logical path to follow".
???????ein, and the other parties, there would be no deal with Sinn Fein. "In a political context we will not get into bed with Sinn Fein. They seriously abused the help that John Hume and the party gave them," he said. Dr Hendron said they must be conscious of the "truly massive pressure" on the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble. "I believe he is genuinely trying to give leadership to his people. It is important that the SDLP understands and appreciates his position."
The South Down MP, Mr Eddie McGrady, called on Mr Trimble to engage properly in the process. He said the UUP leader had a strong mandate both electorally and from within his party "and I almost resent the fact that he will not carry that mandate into real dialogue".
Mrs Brid Rodgers, a member of the Stormont talks team, said a democratic settlement was now achievable, but everyone must recognise that the "status quo is not an option for any of us".
"There has to be change, and change that will redress the imbalance within Northern Ireland, and give full recognition and equality of allegiance to nationalists as well as unionists. This cannot be done within the confines of an internal settlement within the North."
Mr Denis Haughey, another talks team member, called for an end to the "shadow boxing" at Stormont. "The key issue that has to be faced is the accommodation of each other's identity."
Mr Frank Feeley, a councillor from Newry, accused unionists of viewing "compromise as a dirty word". The SDLP, while prepared to compromise, would not accept an internal settlement. "Somebody said the unionists were under pressure. That's some joke. We have been under pressure for a century trying to live with them. Is it not time that Mr Trimble had the guts to stand up to the bigots, to the demagogues, and to all those people who are full of hatred who are in, and surrounding, unionism and loyalism?"
A former chairman, Mr Mark Durkan, said while he could understand SDLP frustration at the slow pace of the talks, people must be careful in their choice of language. Mr Durkan also warned if there was no progress before Christmas in the talks "then we are in very, very serious trouble".
