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Trimble considers talks with Sinn Fein leader

Mr Trimble, who has so far refused direct talks with Mr Adams at the multi-party Belfast negotiations, said: "So many things are possible.

"We have seen actually in the past people who have forsaken terrorism and genuinely changed into democrats.

"It takes time, but it has happened in the past. It is perfectly possible that Gerry Adams can follow that path.

"And in that sense, I do not rule this out."

Mr Trimble, speaking in an Irish television interview about the prospects of a meeting with the Sinn Fein chief, accused the IRA's political wing of "not living in the real world" with their talk of a united Ireland.

He said: "I think they are having difficulty adjusting to dealing with other political parties."

He commented, too, on talks he had with Irish Premier Bertie Ahern and pointed to "the positive approach that the Irish Prime Minister appears to be taking."

"I got the feeling he was being positive and realistic in his approach," Mr Trimble said.

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