Military

DATE=10/26/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268476

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a one-day visit to Northern Ireland Thursday to help bolster the fragile peace process there. Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports his visit comes just one day after the Irish Republican Army agreed to a second inspection of its weapons stockpiles to comply with the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement.

TEXT: Prime Minister Blair has been meeting with all political leaders in Northern Ireland, as well as his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern.

Tensions have been increasing in Belfast between pro-British Unionists and pro-independence nationalists over the thorny issue of disarming paramilitaries.

Mr. Blair's visit aims at boosting the peace process. His efforts were made a bit easier after the I-R-A announced its cooperation with a second inspection of its arms stockpiles in compliance with its pledge to put IRA weapons beyond use. The first check was carried out in June by an international team, one month after the deadline for disarming unionist and nationalist paramilitaries.

Disputes over the disarmament timetable led to a temporary suspension of the power-sharing government last year. Unionists have argued against sharing power before the I-R-A hands over its weapons but nationalists say the 1998 peace agreement does not condition their participation in government on disarmament.

Unionists, who distrust the I-R-A, are constantly pressing Ireland's First Minister David Trimble, a Unionist, to pull out of the power-sharing government. He faces yet another challenge to his leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party next weekend. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/KL/PLM