Northern Ireland: We Have a Deal

STORMONT: Better late than never. More than seventeen sleepless hours of non-stop negotiation after their deadline, politicians from across the spectrum reached a comprehensive accord on the future of Northern Ireland (map) Friday. There was profound relief, mixed with a healthy dose of realism. "Today we just have a sense of the prize that is before us," said Prime Minister Tony Blair. "The work to win that prize goes on."

The ink is not drying on a unanimously-accepted deal. In fact, no ink is drying at all. Signatures were not required from the eight main political parties -- which no doubt prevented many more days of last-minute politicking. "Sufficient consenus" was the only necessity for Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. "In effect," says TIME London Bureau Chief Barry Hillenbrand, "There are enough Republicans and enough Unionists in support. They don't necessarily have to have Sinn Fein's support to attain sufficient consensus."

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams did offer his tacit support for the deal, however. His only caveat: That he would have to canvas his members. The people will not speak until next month's referendums, but some parts of the 67-page agreement can go into effect straight away, like the decommissioning of weapons. There'll be much shouting ahead, but right now the parties can head home -- for a hard-won rest.