low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World |
| UK |
|
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales |
| UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
|
 |
 The BBC's John Thorne"This is confirmation that things are moving pretty quickly"  real 28k |
US to hear NI peace latest
The executive: Symbol of the new Northern Ireland |
The Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson is to brief United States politicians on the latest developments in the peace process.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Mr Clinton has been a key supporter of the peace process in Northern Ireland and has followed developments in the province closely.
Mr Mandelson's trip comes as at the end of what has been a successful week for Northern Ireland's pro-Agreement politicians.
For the first time in a generation a power-sharing administration is in office in Belfast, giving the local parties a chance to make decisions over matters such as health, agriculture and education.
The issue of the disposal of paramilitary weapons remains critical to the success of the peace process.
The main unionist party led by David Trimble had insisted it would not take part in a power-sharing administration until some IRA guns had been handed over.
But in a compromise brokered by former American Senator George Mitchell, unionists agreed to enter into government with Sinn Fein, provided the IRA appointed a go-between to the arms body.
The Ulster Unionist party has also made it clear that its ruling council will meet again in February to review the issue.
The party has said it will leave the power-sharing administration if IRA arms decommissioning has not commenced by then.
Sinn Fein and the IRA have said that they regard this as introducing unacceptable preconditions, and insist the issue of paramilitary weapons must be dealt with by General de Chastelain.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
See also: |
|
 |
|
 |
04 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Gearing up for IRA talks |
| |
|
|
04 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
McGuinness: Let's work together |
| |
|
|
04 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Former PM optimistic on arms |
| |
|
|
01 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Decommissioning: The paramilitary figures |
| |
|
|
03 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
The general who likes to destroy weapons |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
IRA appoints arms go-between |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Northern Ireland makes history |
| |
|
|
01 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Countdown to decommissioning move |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Northern Ireland |
|
Picture gallery: New hope for Northern Ireland |
| |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
|
|
|
|
The Good Friday Agreement |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other Northern Ireland stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~22~RS~)