N. IRELAND: VOTING BEGINS IN PEACE DEAL REFERENDUM

(22 May 1998) English/Nat Polls opened in Northern Ireland on Friday as voters began to give their verdict on the Good Friday peace deal. A majority "yes" votes in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic would clear the way for implementation of the agreement on Northern Ireland's future. Every opinion poll has pointed to approval when ballots are counted Saturday, but prominent "no" campaigners have said that a majority of unionists would vote against the agreement. Among those calling for a "No" vote is Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley SOUNDBITE: (English) "I just like to say that I'm glad the day has come when the ordinary individual in Northern Ireland, away from all the fuss and the busing in and the flag and the pushing, and on top of this people from outside will be able to in the quietness of the ballot box to make their own decision. I am confident that the overwhelming mass of unionist voters will be voting no. Q: What happens then Mr Paisley? A: What happens then? Ask Mo." SUPER CAPTION: Ian Paisley, Democratic Unionist Party Leader Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...