GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton today hailed a dramatic move toward peace in Northern Ireland. He called an IRA pledge to disarm "a truly historic step." David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist leader, said the IRA pronouncement was very positive. Gerry Adams, the leader of the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, called the pledge emotional and painful. But he said the IRA wants it to work. A man who has played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process as this country's special envoy is former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. He brokered the Good Friday peace accords, and Senator Mitchell is on the phone with us from New York. Senator Mitchell, you can hear me?</s>GEORGE MITCHELL, SPECIAL ENVOY: Yes, I can, Gene.</s>RANDALL: What do you make of this IRA announcement? And if it is followed by appropriate actions, is this the kind of breakthrough you were waiting for?</s>MITCHELL: Putting weapons completely and verifiably beyond use is a major move by the IRA. I haven't yet been briefed on all the details -- I expect that to occur tomorrow -- but from what I've heard, it's a very positive development. And I specially commend prime ministers Blair and Ahern and all of the parties who have worked so hard to move this peace process forward.</s>RANDALL: Senator, briefly, you put so much time and effort into this process, is this the kind of breakthrough that's necessary for it to go forward?</s>MITCHELL: I hope it will prove to be. Obviously, it does not include the full handover of weapons that some of the Unionists would want and that the Good Friday agreement calls for. But, as I said, to place weapons completely verifiably beyond use is unprecedented. It's a truly major move, and I hope it does lead to the recreation of the institutions and the peace process moving forward again.</s>RANDALL: Senator Mitchell, thanks very much. Thanks for being with us</s>MITCHELL: Thank you, Gene.
George Mitchell Discusses the IRA's Move Toward Peace in Northern Ireland