Ireland's political leaders have been meeting to try and restart the stalled Northern Ireland peace process. A glimmer of hope rose as the Protestant leader David Trimble made a positive statement. He and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also met with US President Bill Clinton who's trying to help jump-start the stalled peace process.

David Trimble and other Irish and British leaders were in Washington for talks with US President Bill Clinton on St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's national holiday.

Trimble said the province's suspended government could be restored before disarmament begins, so long as firm assurances were in hand. But little progress was made at the talks with Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein who dismissed Trimble's comments as posturing.

Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams said: "The guns issue has to be dealt with. We have said the way it's been dealt with thus far obviously has failed."

Adams said the only way forward was for Britain to restore home rule.

Later when joining the national day celebration hosted by US President Bill Clinton, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern reiterated Dublin's position. That is: dates must be set for disarmament before home rule is restored to the province, a position shared by London.