UK: MO MOWLAM BECOMES NEW NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY

(3 May 1997) English/Nat

Britain's new Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, went straight to the province after being formally appointed by Prime Minister Tony Blair on Saturday.

She says she wants to see the peace process revived - but any progress depends on the Irish Republican Army (I-R-A) renewing its ceasefire.

Despite the security risks, Mowlam - who recently had treatment for a brain tumour - went on a walkabout in Belfast, shaking hands and kissing children.

Arriving in Belfast on Saturday, the first woman to hold the post of Northern Ireland Secretary.

Mo Mowlam was given one of the most difficult jobs in British politics on Saturday by Britain's new Prime Minister following Labour's landslide win in Thursday's general election.

She knows there's no instant solution to Northern Ireland's problems - although she hopes to encourage an atmosphere of conciliation.

SOUNDBITE:
"It would be very naive to suggest that I can find solutions to problems - as Mark suggested - very quickly, but I think there is a sensitivity that needs to be shown and I will do my best to do that. It's one of my - I hope - the advantages I might bring to the job is a sensitivity in some senses, but at the same time a directness and an openness which may help the process too, but all I can do is bring people together, all I can do is create a situation to encourage people to work together and in the end it's the people of Northern Ireland and the leaders of the political parties that will make the decisions, but I can create the parameters to help achieve that."
SUPER CAPTION: Mo Mowlam, Northern Ireland Secretary

Mo Mowlam's main task is to breathe new life into the stalled peace process.

The I-R-A heightened its campaign of terror during the U-K election campaign and the group's political wing, Sinn Fein, saw two of its members elected to parliament this week.

Mowlam says it's now up to the I-R-A.

SOUNDBITE:
"There is a validity attached to democratic votes given to a political party, however, the underlying part of your question still holds in the sense that our position still holds that a ceasefire is necessary and the ball is in the I-R-A's court. That is the bottom line."
SUPER CAPTION: Mo Mowlam, Northern Ireland Secretary

Mowlam try to hold talks with political leaders in the province soon in an effort to break the impasse in the peace process.

Many believe she has an intimate knowledge of Northern Ireland's problems, having become the first secretary who has worked in the province on and off throughout the past 18 months.

People on the streets of Belfast seemed to warm to her relaxed persona and many asked her about her health.

Mowlam recently hit the headlines when it was disclosed she had suffered a benign brain tumour.

That forced Britain's tabloid press to backtrack on their stories about her sudden weight gain and new hairstyle - a wig.

Instead the newspaper praised her quiet bravery and determination - qualities she'll need as Northern Ireland secretary.

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