DATE=5/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249372
TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (L-O)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS ARE BACK AT THE
NEGOTIATING TABLE WITH NORTHERN IRISH CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT
LEADERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO BREAK A DEADLOCK OVER THE SURRENDER
OR "DECOMMISSIONING" OF WEAPONS -- A DISPUTE WHICH IS BLOCKING
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POWER-SHARING GOVERNMENT IN BELFAST.
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM LONDON.
TEXT: CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT NEGOTIATORS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND
HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS IN
LONDON TO TRY TO PUT NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS BACK ON
TRACK.
THE STUMBLING BLOCK REMAINS A DISPUTE OVER DISARMING PRO-IRISH
REPUBLICAN PARAMILITARIES. PROTESTANT LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE
INSISTS THE "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" MUST START HANDING OVER ITS
WEAPONS BEFORE ITS POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, CAN JOIN THE PEACE
GOVERNMENT.
SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS SAYS THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED LAST
YEAR ON GOOD FRIDAY HAS NO PRECONDITIONS TO ITS PARTICIPATION IN
THE CABINET. BEFORE HIS MEETINGS ON FRIDAY, HE WARNED THAT TIME
IS RUNNING OUT FOR THE FRAGILE PEACE PROCESS.
BRITAIN WAS TO TRANSFER HOME RULE POWERS TO BELFAST IN MARCH,
ONCE THE NEW CABINET WAS SET UP. THE TRANSFER HAS BEEN DELAYED
BECAUSE OF THE DISPUTE. SINN FEIN REJECTED A COMPROMISE PROPOSAL
SUGGESTED BY THE TWO PRIME MINISTERS. SO THE NEGOTIATORS ARE
BACK AT THE TABLE.
NEITHER SIDE IS SOUNDING OPTIMISTIC. NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT A
BREAKTHROUGH IN THIS LATEST ROUND OF TALKS. BUT SO, FAR NOBODY
IS GIVING UP EITHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
14-May-99 9:27 AM EDT (1327 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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