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DATE=2/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259020
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  In Northern Ireland, last-ditch efforts 
continue to try to avert the suspension of the power-
sharing assembly, which was set up eight-weeks ago.  
The dispute is once again over the timing of 
paramilitary disarmament.  Correspondent Laurie 
Kassman reports on the latest developments from 
London.
TEXT:  Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, who also 
heads Northern Ireland's executive council, has held 
crisis talks in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister 
Bertie Ahern.  Earlier this week, he met with British 
Prime Minister Tony Blair.  So did Sinn Fein leader 
Gerry Adams.
The consultations are aimed at averting the collapse 
of Northern Ireland's assembly.  It was Mr. Trimble's 
threat to resign over the disarmament issue that 
sparked the latest crisis. 
Mr. Trimble has insisted the Irish Republican Army (I-
R-A) must start handing over weapons.  But the special 
commission on decommissioning says the I-R-A has not 
made such a gesture.  Gerry Adams, who heads the I-R-
A's political wing, says the Good Friday Agreement 
sets the deadline for disarmament in May.  
Sinn Fein also argues that disarmament applies equally 
to both nationalist and loyalist para-military groups 
and British forces still based in Northern Ireland. 
Last week, Britain's top minister for Northern Ireland 
asked Parliament to pass legislation to suspend the 
assembly until the dispute is sorted out.  Mr. Trimble 
is trying to soften the impact of that decision. 
            /// TRIMBLE ACT ///
      No one can predict exactly how things will 
      develop over the next few days.  We know the 
      problems.  We will continue to work on the 
      problems. But I do have to emphasize they are 
      just problems and people are wrong to regard 
      this as a terminal crisis in the agreement.
            /// END ACT ///
Mr. Trimble is due to meet his party leadership on 
Saturday and has threatened to resign if the I-R-A has 
not made a concrete gesture toward disarmament by 
then.  And Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has also 
threatened to pull out of the peace process if the 
power-sharing assembly is suspended.   (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/GE/LTD/RAE
10-Feb-2000 08:55 AM EDT (10-Feb-2000 1355 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.