Military

DATE=10/10/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) (CQ)

NUMBER=2-295078

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

/// FIXING SPELLING OF GERRY ADAMS IN INTRO ///

INTRO: Gerry Adams -- the leader of the political wing of the Irish Republican Army -- is urging British Prime Minister Tony Blair not to suspend self-rule in Northern Ireland. As V-O-A's Michael Drudge reports, Mr. Blair and the Sinn Fein Party leader met Thursday to discuss the fallout from a scandal over alleged Sinn Fein spying on behalf of the I-R-A.

TEXT: It was billed as showdown meeting between Mr. Blair and Mr. Adams at the prime minister's office in London over allegations that the I-R-A continues to spy on the British government and military in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Blair is now considering suspension of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, the cornerstone of a 1998 peace agreement to end political violence in the long-troubled province.

Mr. Adams came out of the 90-minute meeting saying it would be a mistake for Mr. Blair to re-impose direct rule from London, and it could fuel more violence.

/// ADAMS ACT ///

This is a political crisis. A long vacuum, of course, is grist to the mill of (is very helpful to) the people who want to tear the process down.

/// END ACT ///

The scandal erupted on Friday when police raided Sinn Fein offices and homes of party members around Belfast. Three Sinn Fein members have been charged with possessing documents that could assist terrorist activities. Mr. Adams denies there has been any wrongdoing.

But the leader of Northern Ireland's coalition government, David Trimble, has demanded that Mr. Blair expel Sinn Fein ministers from the executive council. Mr. Trimble says he will resign if Mr. Blair does not act by Tuesday.

/// REST OPT ///

Mr. Trimble leads the unionist movement, which is primarily Protestant and wants Northern Ireland to remain a part of Britain. Mr. Adams is a leader of the republican movement, which seeks Northern Ireland's eventual merger with the predominantly Catholic Republic of Ireland. (Signed)

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