Video interviews with David Trimble, designate First Minister of Northern Ireland, and Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for ITN on 14 July 1999. On 2 July the British and Irish governments published ‘The Way Forward’, a document setting out a process for the formation of the Executive on 15 July and the beginning of decommissioning soon after. In response to UUP rejection of the proposals, Tony Blair stated that failsafes on decommissioning would be built into legislation on the devolution of power to Northern Ireland. Failing to agree on the extent of those measures, Trimble and Blair outline their positions ahead of the projected nominations to the Executive on the following day.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 14 July 1999
Name of First Interviewee: David Trimble
Name of Second Interviewee: Tony Blair
Role at time of Interview: David Trimble (designate First Minister of Northern Ireland), Tony Blair (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
Purpose: News
Media: Audiovisual
Copyright: ©2013 ITN All rights reserved
Link: Watch the interview
Programme/Book/Article: ITN
Time Period covered: 1998-1999
Key Individuals: David Trimble, Tony Blair
Key Words: UUP, British government, IRA, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, decommissioning, power-sharing, failsafe, ‘The Way Forward’