DEAL ON DECOMMISSIONING? Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit "Sean MacCoinnigh" "Ireland List" IRISH INDEPENDENT Sat May 15,1999 DEAL MAY END ARMS DEADLOCK HOPES are high for a breakthrough in the peace process today as Ulster Unionists and Sinn Fein left Downing Street to refer back to their parties after last night's marathon session of talks If accepted the deal would mean that an executive for the Northern assembly can be named with full devolution to follow later. At its heart is a declaration by Sinn Fein and the Governments that they believe Sinn Fein is serious about securing IRA decommissioning. A compromise on Drumcree is also an integral part of the deal. The marathon ten-hour session culminated in two hours of talks involving Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP, which were co-chaired by Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair. It was the first time at these Downing Street sessions that the parties engaged in direct, round-table negotiations rather than just mediating through the two leaders. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-05.16.99-23:22:21-9601