Military

DATE=10/28/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (S O)

NUMBER=2-268557

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Northern Ireland, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has fended off yet another challenge to his leadership, winning a critical vote to stay in the power sharing government with the nationalists. Mr. Trimble is also Northern Ireland's First Minister in charge of the coalition. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more from London.

TEXT: Critics of the faltering peace process have been pressing Mr. Trimble to pull out of the power-sharing government if the Irish Republican Army did not start handing over its weapons by the end of November. On Saturday, Mr. Trimble managed to win support for staying in the coalition by a vote of 445 to 374.

His position was bolstered at the last minute when the I-R-A (Irish Republican Army) agreed to a second inspection of the stockpile of weapons it had pledged to put beyond use.

But, Mr. Trimble warns he will bar the I-R-A's political wing Sinn Fein from participating in some power sharing arrangements if there is no progress in paramilitary disarmament. He also warns that Ulster Unionists could start to boycott joint British-Irish institutions. Sinn Fein has criticized the decision. (Signed)

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