Talks sought on arms of N. Ireland rivals Unmoved In an Ulster town, hate still thrives Approval A resounding vote for Irish peace Reaction Around world, peace process seen as model The future Next steps in Northern Ireland peace process Most N. Ireland politicians hail ''Yes'' Boston's Irish are cautiously optimistic In the Irish voting, a Protestant factor Mike Barnicle It's a special dawn for John Hume, peacemonger 'I must do this for her' 'Education is the true liberator' Where it's too late for peace Prejudice from a pulpit: Paisley's grip weak Chronology The long road to N. Irish peace pact The process The long, bloody path to Irish peace 04/19/98 Belfast Accord reached 'New beginning' hailed Excerpts from Accord Honoring the dead 'through a fresh start' Past attempts Previous compromises in Northern Ireland Photo Gallery: Pictures from Belfast Saturday, May 23 The Irish Times The N. Ireland Office Sinn Fein Ulster Unionist Party Social Democ. & Labour Party Weekly Health | Science (Mon.) Food (Wed.) Calendar (Thu.) At Home (Thu.) Sunday Focus Learning Travel Real Estate Automotive Sunday Magazine City Weekly South Weekly West Weekly North Weekly NorthWest Weekly NH Weekly Features Archives Book Reviews Columns Comics Crossword Horoscopes Death Notices Lottery Movie Reviews Music Reviews Obituaries Today's stories A-Z TV & Radio Weather Classifieds Cars Classifieds Help Wanted Real Estate Help Contact the Globe Send us feedback Alternative views Low-graphics version Acrobat version (.pdf) Search the Globe: Today Yesterday Search the Web Using Lycos:

Next steps in Northern Ireland peace process ELFAST, May 23 (Reuters) - People on both sides of the Irish border voted resoundingly in favour of a Northern Ireland peace deal, according to referendum results released on Saturday. The results open the way for the next steps in the peace agreement to take effect. Here is a summary of what will follow, taken from the official text of the accord. June 25 - Elections held in Northern Ireland for a 108-member legislative assembly, chosen by proportional representation. End-June - Deadline for British and Irish governments to enact legislation allowing for early release of prisoners. New assembly to meet ''as soon as practically possible'' after elections. Initially it will shadow the British government's Northern Ireland ministry, but will gradually start to take over powers from it. North/South Ireland Ministerial Council, including First Minister and First Deputy Minister from Northern Ireland and Prime Minister from Irish Republic to commence meetings ''as soon as practically possible'' after elections. Council will meet at least twice a year at summit level to discuss areas for co-operation. British/Irish council including representatives of British and Irish governments to begin meetings. Summit meetings at least twice a year; regular sectoral meetings to discuss specific issues. Summer 1999 - Deadline for an independent commission to report back with recommendations for future policing arrangements in Northern Ireland. Autumn 1999 - Deadline for review of the province's criminal justice system, to be carried out by British government in consultation with political parties and non-governmental organisations. May 2000 - Deadline for decommissioning of all arms held by paramilitary groups. Summer 2000 - Most paramilitary prisoners likely to be released from jail by now if agreement holds.

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