| Subject: Re: Blair backs Trimble to return as First Minister |
Author:
Michael Coburn
|
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Date Posted: 09:38:46 07/05/01 Thu
In reply to:
Dáithí
's message, "Blair backs Trimble to return as First Minister" on 20:06:38 07/01/01 Sun
>Tony Blair has expressed sorrow at David Trimble's
>resignation as Northern Ireland First Minister, but
>hopes he will regain the post.
>
>Mr Trimble's resignation took effect at midnight, the
>deadline for a significant move on IRA decommissioning.
>
>The resignation starts a six-week countdown to an
>Assembly vote for a First Minister, requiring the
>support of 50% of unionist MLAs plus one and 50% of
>nationalists plus one.
>
>Mr Blair said: "I am sorry that David Trimble has
>resigned although I fully understand the reasons why
>he has felt it necessary to do so.
>
>"David Trimble has been a good First Minister for the
>people of Northern Ireland and I hope that he will be
>able to resume that role shortly.
>
>"Like David, I too want to see the full implementation
>of the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects and
>that will be our aim in the talks over the coming
>days."
>
>Nationalist Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, who
>will have to seek re-election to his post in the
>Assembly as a result of the resignation, said Mr
>Trimble had made "a significant contribution to the
>achievements of the institutions to date".
>
>Mr Mallon said: "Since their inception, the
>institutions have been denied stability because of the
>failure to make progress on decommissioning, the
>refusal of Democratic Unionist ministers to attend and
>abide by decisions of the Executive and the Ulster
>Unionists' refusal to properly implement the North
>South Ministerial Council and the British Irish
>Council. That instability has been worsened by David
>Trimble's resignation."
>
>David Trimble is in France today to attend a Battle of
>the Somme Commemoration. One of his leading party
>allies, Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey, has been
>appointed to take over some of the First Minister's
>functions. This would enable the Executive to meet for
>key decisions over the next six weeks.
>
>
>See this story on the web at
>http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_341558.html
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