With Help From Their Friends

At 3:15 a.m. in Washington last Friday, Bill Clinton began a 30-minute phone conversation with George Mitchell in Belfast. The parties were eight hours past the negotiating deadline, but a breakthrough was close. Mitchell asked the President to make another round of calls to save the pact the former Maine Senator had drafted. No sooner did Mitchell hang up than British Prime Minister Tony Blair phoned the White House, asking Clinton to call and reassure wavering unionist leader David Trimble. Everyone was up most of the night, but nine hours later an exhausted and exhilarated Mitchell announced the deal that few...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!