DATE=11/23/1999
TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP
TITLE=THE IRISH PEACE ACCORD REVITALIZED
NUMBER=6-11566
BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
TELEPHONE=619-3335
CONTENT=
INTRO: The peace talks between Republicans and
Unionists in Northern Ireland appear to be making
progress again after grinding to a halt just months
ago.
After the renewed efforts of former U-S Senate
Majority Leader George Mitchell, the two sides appear
closer than ever before to agreement on beginning a
new, joint governing body and divesting themselves of
weapons.
The U-S press is being cautiously optimistic about
this latest turn of events, and we get a sampling now
from _____________ in today's Opinion Roundup.
TEXT: Just months ago, the talks between the two
sides appeared to have broken down completely when the
Irish Republican Army refused to begin what is being
called "decommissioning" - that is, handing over its
guns and explosives.
Without that move, the mostly Protestant Unionists,
who favor continued Union with Britain, refused to
begin meeting in the new Northern Ireland Assembly
with Sinn Fein, the I-R-A's political arm.
At that point British Prime Minister Tony Blair
summoned Senator Mitchell back to Stormont Castle in
Belfast for new talks to avert total collapse. Mr.
Mitchell had been the negotiator of the famed Good
Friday accord that had brought the two sides together
two years ago. This time, Mr. Mitchell was able to
work through the new differences and it appears that
the process is about to move forward again.
Even so, several U-S papers are cautioning that, as in
the Middle East, anything is possible to disrupt
things at the last minute.
We begin in Michigan, where The Detroit Free Press is
hopeful.
VOICE: At every stage of the fitful peace process in
Northern Ireland, the big problem has been who moves
first. . Now former U-S Senator George Mitchell, who
has been called the most patient man in Ulster, has
brokered an agreement that essentially calls for both
sides to walk through the door together. In one busy
day, one-two-three, a new local government for
Northern Ireland would be set up, the new shared-power
executive body would meet, and the wickedly armed
paramilitaries on both sides would name delegates to a
disarmament commission. The last item is a concession
by the I-R-A, which up to now has refused to talk
about surrendering so much as a bullet. But it's a
major risk for David Trimble, who heads the Unionists,
the leading Protestant party in Ulster. . Many
members of [Mr.] Trimble's own party would just as
soon sack [Editors: "fire"] him as back him on the
Mitchell compromise. . Once again, the question is
whether political leaders are brave enough to make the
peace, which is much harder . than to go on making
war.
TEXT: From Texas, The Forth Worth Star Telegram is
extremely cautious, in keeping with the many past
failures since the Good Friday pact was signed, but,
still sounds a hopeful note.
VOICE: Northern Ireland's peace process sees a
startling resurrection - but it's not out of the
cemetery yet. If the search for peace in Northern
Ireland has long been a prime example of "snatching
defeat from the jaws of victory," the province's
leaders may finally be in sight of a reversal of that
bitter cliche . [However] The "hard men" on both
sides of Ulster's tragic divide can still win. But
Ulster Unionist leader David] Trimble, Sinn Fein
leader Gerry Adams and other leading players in this
drama - a cast in which [Senator] Mitchell certainly
has had a starring role - have demonstrated a
commendable hard-headedness of their own in pursuit of
a palatable settlement in Northern Ireland.
TEXT: Worried about some brash statement on one side
or the other, which in the past have done considerable
damage, Newsday on New York's Long Island pleads:
"Don't Let Rash Talk Sink N. Ireland Peace Effort."
VOICE: Thanks to the tireless mediating efforts of
former Senator George Mitchell, the two warring sides
in Northern Ireland last week made a significant
breakthrough toward creating a lasting peace. But
Sinn Fein must do more to clarify seemingly
contradictory statements on disarmament that could
vitiate the progress. . It would be tragic if a rash
comment were to plunge the Northern Ireland peace
agreement into the deep freeze once again.
TEXT: Lastly, in Hawaii, the afternoon daily, The
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, is somewhat pessimistic,
declaring: "Until the Irish Republican Army
surrenders its weapons, the success of the peace
efforts will remain in doubt." And the newspaper
continues:
VOICE: As the Associated Press reported, the new
compromise package calls for the Ulster Unionists . to
drop their longstanding demand that the Irish
Republican Army disarm before the four-party
government is formed. Instead, the Ulster Unionists
would accept the Sinn Fein party, the political arm of
the I-R-A, as government colleagues on the same day
the I-R-A started negotiations with a disarmament
commission. However, David Trimble .. Who accepted
this compromise, faces considerable opposition within
his party. He could be ousted as party leader in a
key vote late this month. If [Mr.] Trimble loses,
[Senator] Mitchell said, the agreement may fall apart.
.. The outcome . remains very much in doubt - and will
be until the I-R-A surrenders its weapons.
TEXT: On that note, we conclude this sampling of
editorial comment on the current state of peace
efforts in Northern Ireland from the U-S press.
NEB/ANG/JP
23-Nov-1999 14:15 PM EDT (23-Nov-1999 1915 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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