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ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH: The Nobel Peace Prize story begins with background
on the two Northern - the two politicians from Northern Ireland who
shared the prize. John Hume is the leader of the largest Catholic-based
party, the Social Democratic Labor Party, and David Trimble heads the
largest Protestant-based party, the Unionists. He now holds the highest
office in the province, First Minister. We have a report from Terry
Lloyd of Independent Television News.
TERRY LLOYD, ITN: Once they were deeply divided, separated by politics
and bitterness, but John Hume and David Trimble came together at a pop
concert given by the Band U2. The leader of the mainly Catholic SDLP
came to the political forefront in the civil rights movement in the
late 1960's.
JOHN HUME: The civil rights movement is an absolutely tenured movement,
seeking justice for all.
TERRY LLOYD: He's had the ear of world leaders and statesmen during
his 30-year campaign for peace. But it was John Hume's often secret
talks with Sinn Fein and the IRA, which brought Gerry Adams to the negotiating
table and the present peace pact. Ulster's first minister, David Trimble,
spends his spare time listening to Wagner and Strauss. But in public,
he built up a reputation as a fiery and confrontational MP. Together,
with the Reverend Ian Paisley, he led Orangemen through the disputed
town of Drumcree, fueling the hatred felt by Nationalist families. Yet,
he had the vision to drag Ulster Unionism into the 21st century, and
three years ago he traveled to Dublin for talks with then Prime Minister
John Bruton. Perhaps his boldest gesture has been to walk and talk with
Sinn Fein leaders, an unthinkable relationship 12 months ago. |
