NORTHERN IRELAND: BELFAST: PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR VISIT

Описание: (2 Jun 1998) English/Nat

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in Belfast on Tuesday for an intensive round of discussions with local politicians.

Blair, who played a crucial role in bolstering support for last month's peace accord, tried to reassure doubters about the ground-breaking deal to bring peace to the troubled province.

Britain's Prince Charles also visited the city on Tuesday.

A 21 gun salute in Northern Ireland to celebrate Coronation Day -- and in honour of the arrival of Britain's Prince Charles.

It was a day of high-profile visits to Northern Ireland -- just two weeks after an historic referendum in which the province voted a convincing yes for peace.

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived for further talks at Stormont Castle -- the scene of the peace negotiations that resulted in the Good Friday Agreement.

His visit is the latest phase of his drive to bring lasting peace to the province.

But the discussions were marred by a bitter war of words over his intentions for legislation in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement endorsement.

Dispute centres on the series of pledges Blair made during pre-polling day visits to the province to urge a 'Yes' vote.

Unionists took Blair to mean there would be no place in government for Sinn Fein and no early release of prisoners until the I-R-A had started decommissioning its weapons.

When they met him at Stormont during the day they insisted his pledges must be included in legislation to be brought before Parliament in the coming weeks.

David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, said the Prime Minister had assured him of his intention to stick to the pledges he has made.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
It was very clear in the course of our discussion this morning that he is aware of the fact that his credibility and not a little of our own too depends upon him sticking clearly to the undertakings he gave to people in the Balmoral speech and otherwise and I'm quite sure that that's his intention and the matter then is working with him to ensure that that is carried through in practice.
SUPER CAPTION: David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

Blair also met with Sinn Fein leaders -- afterwards Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams insisted there could be no pre-conditions added to the Good Friday Agreement to try to keep him out of government.

Adams told journalists, he did not think Blair had any intention of trying to re-write the Agreement.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
He spelt out his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, his understanding of what had to be done by everyone and we took the opportunity to once again push for speedy urgent movement, in a comprehensive way, on all of these issues.
SUPER CAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader

The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, also flew into the province on Tuesday at the start of a two-day visit.

The heir to the throne opened a centre for peace and reconciliation at Ballycastle -- a town 45 miles (70 kms) north of Belfast.

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