21.10.03
>>> FLASH: ELECTIONS SET FOR NOVEMBER 26 <<<
A number of media outlets have stated that the twice-cancelled elections for the Belfast Assembly will take place in the North on Wednesday the 26th of November.
Hopes of a breakthrough in the peace process have been rising steadily through the past few days.
The extent of the deal is expected to be revealed tomorrow, but it is widely expected to involve, on some scale, a peace move by the IRA in return for the continued implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
The head of the international decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain, has resumed contact with the IRA on arms, it has been reported.
The Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair are expected to travel to Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast tomorrow for an offical announcement.
The decision comes after a series of talks between Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party to secure agreement on issues crucial to creating a climate for elections.
Earlier, Bertie Ahern said that further progress has been made in the Northern peace talks.
He confirmed that he had a lengthy telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, this morning and he is due to talk to him again this evening.
The Taoiseach said that the next 24 hours would be crucial and that there was a deadline of Wednesday morning for talks.
Mr Ahern said the key issues were the stability of the
institutions on the one side and the endgame of paramilitarism on the other.
"RM_Distribution"
A number of media outlets have stated that the twice-cancelled elections for the Belfast Assembly will take place in the North on Wednesday the 26th of November.
Hopes of a breakthrough in the peace process have been rising steadily through the past few days.
The extent of the deal is expected to be revealed tomorrow, but it is widely expected to involve, on some scale, a peace move by the IRA in return for the continued implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
The head of the international decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain, has resumed contact with the IRA on arms, it has been reported.
The Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair are expected to travel to Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast tomorrow for an offical announcement.
The decision comes after a series of talks between Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party to secure agreement on issues crucial to creating a climate for elections.
Earlier, Bertie Ahern said that further progress has been made in the Northern peace talks.
He confirmed that he had a lengthy telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, this morning and he is due to talk to him again this evening.
The Taoiseach said that the next 24 hours would be crucial and that there was a deadline of Wednesday morning for talks.
Mr Ahern said the key issues were the stability of the
institutions on the one side and the endgame of paramilitarism on the other.
"RM_Distribution"
