DATE=11/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (L)
NUMBER=2-256630
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Northern Ireland assembly has selected its
12-minister all-party executive council. The power-
sharing formula brings together Republicans and
Unionists -- once bitter enemies -- in a peace
cabinet. Correspondent Laurie Kassman in London
reports selection of the 12-member cabinet was delayed
several months by a dispute over the timing of
disarming the Irish Republican Army.
TEXT: Speaking in Irish and English, Martin
McGuinness, was the first member of the I-R-A's
political wing, Sinn Fein, to accept a cabinet post --
as education minister.
/// MCGUINNESS ACT - IN IRISH AND ENGLISH //
I affirm the pledge of office that was set by
Schedule-four in the Northern Ireland Act of
1998.
/// END ACT ///
The simple phrase was enough to set Northern Ireland
on its new path to peace as outlined by the 1998 Good
Friday Agreement. Another Sinn Fein member Bairbre de
Brun (Bar Bar ah de Broon) took the health portfolio.
The two Sinn Fein members join a cabinet that includes
several Unionists opposed to sharing power with them.
The 12-minister cabinet will run Northern Ireland's
government after home-rule powers are transferred
later in the week.
Britain's parliament is set to approve the transfer of
home-rule powers Tuesday. Queen Elizabeth is to sign
the act of parliament Wednesday, and the transfer is
to be completed Thursday.
The establishment of the council was delayed for
months while Unionists and Republicans disputed the
timing of the disarming of Irish Republican Army para-
militaries. It took former U-S senator George
Mitchell nearly three-months of mediation to work out
a carefully sequenced compromise.
The Ulster Unionist party last weekend agreed to set
up the cabinet before the I-R-A actually started
handing over its weapons -- on condition the I-R-A
appoint an intermediary to work with the special
disarmament commission. That is due to happen after
home rule is transferred Thursday. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/RAE
29-Nov-1999 14:00 PM EDT (29-Nov-1999 1900 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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