A 'prickly' political relationship

BBC NI political correspondent Martina Purdy examines the relationship between the leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein as they engage in a round of face-to-face meetings aimed at breaking the political impasse.

"Well done, David," was an unexpected phrase delivered by Gerry Adams about the Ulster Unionist leader, after David Trimble successfully convinced his party to back the Good Friday Agreement.

Political talks between David Trimble and Gerry Adams continue.

The Sinn Fein leader spoke the words at his party's Ard Fheis (conference) in the spring of 1998.

His republican audience did not quite know how to respond, so unused were they to hearing Sinn Fein plaudits for a unionist leader.

The media were not entirely sure if Mr Adams was meaning to be helpful or harmful.

Words of praise from a republican can be an embarrassment in a unionist culture obsessed with the next lundy or traitor. The comment sparked a debate.

The relationship has always been a prickly one. Republicans would have argued that Mr Trimble did not have a warm relationship with his party colleagues either

Was the Sinn Fein leader trying to reach out to his unionist counterpart - or was he trying to split unionists and embarrass Mr Trimble?

Whatever his motives, Mr Trimble did not warm to Mr Adams.

The relationship has always been a prickly one. Republicans would have argued that Mr Trimble did not have a warm relationship with his party colleagues either.

One memorable quote appeared last year in Magill magazine when Mr Adams spoke of his attitude to Mr Trimble.

In what was seen as a sarcastic remark, Mr Adams said he had developed a "gra of sorts" - the Irish word for love - for David Trimble's "contrariness".

He suggested the unionist leader wasn't the easiest man to get on with, adding: "But at least the meetings are never boring. You go into one meeting and expect there to be a row. And it isn't. You go into another meeting and expect it to be routine and it becomes high drama."

Mr Trimble has never made any secret of his hostility for the Sinn Fein leader. He has yet to shake his hand, despite sharing power with his party.

But in the aftermath of the 6 September Ulster Unionist Council, in which Mr Trimble defied his detractors and won a remarkable - though narrow - victory over his enemies, relations appear to be improving.

The pair have had at least four meetings since the last council vote. Both leaders have said almost nothing about their tete-a-tetes.

When asked earlier this week (Tuesday) outside unionist headquarters how his talks with Mr Adams had gone, Mr Trimble gave his trademark grin and declared he was just back from a very pleasant meeting in Israel with Ariel Sharon and Shimon Peres, his fellow Nobel Laureate.

For his part, Mr Adams seemed so cautious about saying anything that he mumbled something about them both having responsibilities before trailing off into another thought.

They need to be cognisant of each other's needs and not ask too much of each other

But he did urge the governments and the unionists to be reasonable about what could be delivered.

It is probably a safe assumption, however, that Mr Trimble is telling Mr Adams behind the scenes that the offer will have to be good enough to convince the Ulster Unionist ruling council.

Whatever Mr Adams is offering or is about to offer the Unionist leader, there is a reason for his caution.

Political insiders say it is on this relationship - and the negotiations - that a great deal of the political process now hangs.

"The final crunch will be between these two leaders," said one source. "Their two bars must meet."

In other words they need to be cognisant of each other's needs and not ask too much of each other. Republicans, however, insist relations with Tony Blair are crucially important also.

This burgeoning relationship is a new factor that follows what is seen as a relatively quiet summer in which both the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein held regular meetings.

The reason for this development is fairly obvious. The republicans have not suddenly fallen in love with Mr Trimble. This is about need.

After flirting with the notion of a Sir Reg Empey or Jeffrey Donaldson leadership, they now recognise Mr Trimble, the great survivor, is their best long-term bet.

Mr Empey is now regarded as a busted flush after his attempt at party unity failed, and Mr Donaldson has been beaten yet again.

The problem for Sinn Fein is that Mr Trimble may not be a safe bet. If this latest initiative is to work, republicans will have to put quite a few poker chips on his ability to deliver unionism.

While Mr Adams has taken risks for peace, he has never been a reckless gambler. But, given that some republicans felt in May that the leadership had "blown it" in the last round of negotiations, Mr Adams may decide to take a risk. Will David Trimble?