UK: N. IRELAND: AUTHORITIES PREPARE FOR DRUMCREE MARCH (V)

Описание: (2 Jul 1999) English/Nat

Negotiators have begun another day of talks aimed at salvaging the stalled Northern Ireland peace process.

Four days of intensive negotiations were adjourned on Thursday after the Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein failed to reach an agreement on terms for disarmament by paramilitary organisations.

And in the latest development, General John de Chastelain, the head of the international decommissioning body in Northern Ireland has submitted his key report to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and to Blair's Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern.

00:01
It is the largest security operation ever mounted as Northern Ireland's marching season begins.

On Friday, British soldiers began erecting barriers across Portadown's fields.

Another 1,000 riot police and 1,000 soldiers will join them here for the Drumcree march on Sunday.

Protestant Orangemen have vowed to march down to Catholic-dominated Garvaghy Road.

British officials are determined to stop them.

00:25
Last year at Drumcree, 20 people were injured, some critically.

With peace talks faltering, there is fear the violence will escalate again.

00:35
British and Irish leaders are trying to hammer out a deal at Stormont, but after five days, there is still no agreement on decommissioning.

00:42
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are going to go back in now and we are going to do our best and we are going to again put our shoulders to the wheel because it is in the hope and expectation that this British Prime Minister will not fail us and will not fail the peace process."
SUPER CAPTION: Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein chief negotiator

00:57
Ulster Unionists are demanding the I-R-A disarm before Sinn Fein takes its seat in the new government.

Sinn Fein says that wasn't part of the original deal.

01:06
The head of the international decommissioning body, published his report Friday stating that it should be possible for both sides to fully disarm by May next year.

01:15
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What happens to that report, of course, is up to the prime ministers, ministers, and the parties. I would add that my colleagues and I hope that it will provide a helpful contribution to the whole process of trying to move peace forward in Northern Ireland."
SUPER CAPTION: General John de Chastelain head of the international decommissioning body

01:32
General John De Chastelain's report has provided the strongest hope yet that a deal could still be reached, and Northern Ireland may finally find peace.
01:45

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