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DATE=6/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251124
TITLE=CLINTON / IRELAND
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MADE AN IMPASSIONED APPEAL TO THE 
PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO BREAK A NEGOTIATING DEADLOCK AND 
MEET A CRUCIAL DEADLINE NEXT WEEK FOR IMPLEMENTING THEIR 
GOOD-FRIDAY PEACE ACCORD. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE FROM THE
WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: MR. CLINTON PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN SECURING THE HISTORIC 
PEACE ACCORD LAST YEAR.  HE TOLD REPORTERS AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE
HE HAS BEEN TALKING TO THE PARTIES AGAIN IN RECENT DAYS IN AN 
EFFORT TO END A POLITICAL STALEMATE THAT THREATENS TO UNRAVEL THE
AGREEMENT.
THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE SET A DEADLINE OF NEXT 
WEDNESDAY FOR FORMING A POWER-SHARING CABINET IN NORTHERN IRELAND
AS STIPULATED IN THE ACCORD.
ACTION IS STALLED OVER TERMS FOR DISARMING THE MILITARY WING OF 
THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, SINN FEIN.  MR. CLINTON URGED THE 
PARTIES TO CONSIDER HOW MUCH THEY HAVE ALREADY INVESTED IN THE 
PEACE PROCESS AND WHAT WOULD BE LOST IF IT FELL APART: 
                ///  FIRST CLINTON ACTUALITY /// 
         I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT HOW FAR WE'VE 
         COME, ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE GOOD-FRIDAY 
         ACCORDS, THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC -- CATHOLIC AND 
         PROTESTANT -- VOTED FOR THEM, AND ASK NO MATTER HOW 
         DIFFICULT THESE ISSUES ARE, HOW IN GOODNESS NAME, WE 
         COULD EVER LET THIS PEACE PROCESS FALL APART.
                         /// END ACT ///
THE PRESIDENT, WHO HAS PAID TWO VISITS TO NORTHERN IRELAND SINCE 
TAKING OFFICE, CALLED IT A VERY SERIOUS PERIOD. HE SAID HE WAS 
READY TO DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE PEACE PROCESS GOING:
                /// SECOND CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
         IN THE DAYS AHEAD, I INTEND TO DO WHATEVER ANYBODY 
         THINKS I CAN DO TO SAVE IT. BUT I HOPE AND PRAY IT WILL 
         BE SAVED. BECAUSE THE GOOD-FRIDAY ACCORDS WERE GOOD WHEN
         THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR THEM, THEY'RE GOOD TODAY, AND THE 
         DIFFERENCES -- THOUGH THEY ARE PROFOUND -- ARE NOTHING 
         COMPARED TO THE COST OF LOSING IT.
                          ///END ACT///
MR. CLINTON REFUSED TO ELABORATE ON HIS EFFORTS TO END THE 
IMPASSE BUT SAID HE HAS BEEN IN "INTENSE CONTACT" WITH BRITISH 
PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND HIS IRISH COUNTERPART, BERTIE 
AHERN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/GM
25-Jun-99 8:34 PM EDT (0034 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.