THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS SET A DEADLINE ON THURSDAY FOR RESTORING NORTHERN IRELAND'S STALLED REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN A FINAL PUSH TO PERSUADE THE PROVINCE'S WARRING POLITICIANS TO SHARE POWER, REUTERS REPORTED. PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND IRISH COUNTERPART BERTIE AHERN UNVEILED PLANS TO RECALL THE BELFAST ASSEMBLY -- SET UP UNDER 1998'S GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT TO END 30 YEARS OF VIOLENCE -- IN MAY AND GIVE POLITICIANS SIX WEEKS TO FORM A DECISION-MAKING EXECUTIVE. THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE SET AN ABSOLUTE DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 24 FOR THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF POWER SHARING BETWEEN MAJORITY PROTESTANTS COMMITTED TO LINKS WITH BRITAIN AND ROMAN CATHOLIC NATIONALISTS WHO FAVOUR A UNITED IRELAND. 'WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECIDING OVER THE NEXT NINE MONTHS WHETHER WE CAN MAKE THE FUTURE WORK,' BLAIR TOLD A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE IN ARMAGH, CLOSE TO THE IRISH BORDER WITH NORTHERN IRELAND.
