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DATE=7/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251450
TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND UPDATE (S&L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS TRYING TO REASSURE 
NORTHERN IRELAND'S UNIONISTS THAT HIS BLUEPRINT FOR DISARMING THE
IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY AND FORMING A GOVERNING EXECUTIVE BODY IN 
NORTHERN IRELAND IS FAIR.  BUT THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN 
FEIN, WARNS IT WILL  NOT  ACCEPT PLANS TO EXCLUDE IT FROM 
GOVERNMENT IF THE DISARMAMENT PLAN FALTERS.  MR. BLAIR DEFENDED 
THE PLAN IN PARLIAMENT ON MONDAY.  CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN 
REPORTS FRPOM LONDON.
TEXT:  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR OUTLINED THE BENEFITS OF THE PLAN, 
WARNING AGAINST THROWING AWAY WHAT HE CALLS THE BEST CHANCE FOR 
PEACE. 
                        /// BLAIR ACT ///
         AFTER 30 YEARS OF BLOODSHED, GRIEF-STRICKEN FAMILIES, 
         TERROR-TORN COMMUNITIES, IS IT  NOT  WORTH WAITING 30 
         DAYS TO SEE IF THESE UNDERTAKINGS ARE FULFILLED?
                         /// END ACT ///
THE PLAN INCLUDES FORMING AN ALL-PARTY EXECUTIVE AND TRANSFERRING
HOME-RULE POWERS TO BELFAST BY MID-JULY, WITH I-R-A DISARMING TO 
BEGIN A FEW DAYS LATER.
MR. BLAIR HAS TRIED TO REASSURE ULSTER UNIONISTS THERE ARE 
GUARANTEES TO PUNISH THOSE WHO DO  NOT  ADHERE TO THE PLAN BY 
EXCLUDING THEM FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE EXECUTIVE.
                    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
PROTESTANT LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE WAS  NOT  CONVINCED, AND AGAIN 
RAISED UNIONIST CONCERNS THAT SINN FEIN AND THE I-R-A WOULD HOLD 
NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL FUTURE HOSTAGE.
                       /// TRIMBLE ACT ///
         WHY GIVE, IN EFFECT, A VETO TO THE PARAMILITARIES?  THIS
         WOULD MEAN THAT IF THE I-R-A DON'T LIKE THE RESULTS OF 
         THE PATTON COMMISSION ON POLICING, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY 
         COULD CLOSE THINGS DOWN SIMPLY BY DELAYING 
         DECOMMISSIONING [DISARMAMENT].  IT ALSO GIVES OTHER 
         PARAMILITARIES A VETO.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. BLAIR INSISTED THE PLAN RELIES ON ACTIONS, NOT WORDS, WHEN IT
COMES TO DISARMING THE PARAMILITARIES.
                    /// SECOND BLAIR ACT ///
         SO I'M  NOT  ASKING US TO BE IN THE SITUATION WHERE WE 
         EXPECT DEMOCRATS TO SIT IN THE EXECUTIVE WITH 
         ORGANIZATIONS LINKED TO PARAMILITARY GROUPS WHO THEN 
         COULD SIT THERE, KEEPING THEIR WEAPONS AND WITHOUT ANY 
         ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
                         /// END ACT ///
MR. BLAIR HAS FOCUS SED HIS EFFORTS NOW ON CONVINCING THE ULSTER 
UNIONISTS TO SIGN ONTO THE DEAL, DESPITE THEIR DOUBTS.   (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/WTW
05-Jul-99 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.