NORTHERN IRELAND: BELFAST PEOPLES HOPES FOR PEACE

(9 Apr 1998) English/Nat

As Thursday's deadline approaches for a settlement in the Northern Ireland peace talks, APTV has been talking to the people of Belfast on both sides of the divide about their hopes for peace.

On Wednesday, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Northern Ireland to try to stop the talks breaking down, after the Ulster Unionist party rejected a draft settlement.

But whilst the political squabbles continue, APTV found that the ordinary people of Belfast seemed prepared to settle their differences and make peace.

The Northern Ireland peace talks were on a knife edge on Wednesday night, after the Ulster Unionist party rejected a draft settlement just one day before the deadline for an agreement.

But drinkers in this pub in the Catholic area of Belfast, traditionally a Republican stronghold, remained optimistic.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"I would like, if the talks are a step in that direction, and that is actually where it is going to take us to, to a reunification of this country. And hopefully, we will get a peaceful settlement and maybe we can start getting on together we can start working together. As I say, it is pretty big hopes."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP Danny Murphy (Catholic)

However, some people questioned the Unionists' commitment to the peace process.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The Republican movement would like to see a settlement, there is no doubt about that. The Republican people would like to see a settlement. But what you have to ask is do the Unionists really want to see a settlement?"
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP Ronnie McCartney (Catholic)

And one of the older generation which has lived through decades of the Northern Ireland troubles expressed scepticism that any agreement would come out of the talks.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would like to see everybody agreeing, but I cannot see it. Trimble has already said he is not accepting it, so they are back to where they started, they will have to start negotiating again."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP David McDade (Catholic)

Belfast is today a divided city, something the peace process is designed to change.

And on the Republican side of town, people questioned by APTV seemed ready to a compromise settlement.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We believe that we are British subjects, and we want to stay British subjects. And I honestly believe that most of the people in Northern Ireland believe the same, too, that is my honest opinion. There has been a lot of things done wrong on both sides. But at the end of the day, we must reach a compromise, we must have peace."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP Reg Cole (Protestant)

The main stumbling block seemed not to be the people on the other side of the divide, but rather the politicians who represent them.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There are good Catholics, there are good Protestants. You have to look at it that way. But you see Gerry Adams, the people that are behind him, I would say they are the bad ones."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP Mary McCormick

The eight main political parties taking part in the peace talks will continue on Thursday to try and find a compromise acceptable to all by the deadline at midnight (2300 G-M-T).

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