Although a meeting between Hugh Orde and Gerry Adams may well involve both sides taking a particularly deep breath, it is something which needs to happen.
All sorts of reasons could be put forward to delay the encounter, but the fact is that both men are scheduled to be in the White House tomorrow at the invitation of President George W Bush.
While they will be joined by hundreds of other guests, there is no reason whatsoever to prevent an introduction and a handshake.
Mr Orde has said ever since he became chief constable last year that he is ready and willing to speak to the Sinn Féin president.
Mr Adams, for his part, is on record as saying that he has no objection in principle to a discussion with Mr Orde.
Many, many difficult meetings have taken place over the last decade involving various combinations of republicans, loyalists, unionists, the SDLP and representatives of the Irish and British governments.
An enormous range of sensitivities were present, but it is hard to think of a single serious gathering which proved counter-productive.
Some achieved considerable progress, while others were small steps which paved the way for later movement.
No-one would expect Mr Orde and Mr Adams to regard each other, for separate reasons, with anything less than considerable suspicion.
However, they are among the key figures who must be part of any solution which is to be reached.
An opportunity is due to present itself tomorrow for contact to be made in neutral surroundings well away from the pressures of Belfast.
Little will be lost if the meeting does not happen, but there is much to be gained if it does.
