World IN BRIEF : NORTHERN IRELAND : Protestant Leaders Agree to Negotiate

In what could prove to be a turning point for Northern Ireland after two decades of conflict, Unionist leaders representing the Protestant majority accepted the formula of British Minister Peter Brooke for inter-party talks. After months of delicate “talks about talks,” Protestant preacher-politician Ian Paisley, fellow Unionist leader James Molyneaux and two smaller Unionist parties told Brooke they will meet with moderate politicians representing Northern Ireland’s nationalist minority. Brooke will set a timetable for the talks Wednesday in the British Parliament.