Major Appeals for Time and Trust on N. Ireland Peace : Britain: Prime minister makes a rare television speech trying to save delicate negotiations after a published text angers pro-British politicians.

British Prime Minister John Major made an unusual television appeal to the nation Wednesday night in an effort to save the delicate deliberations on peace in Northern Ireland.

The fragile peace process seemed jeopardized when the London Times printed what it said were excerpts from a document designed as the basis for talks among parties on both sides of the Irish border, which angered politicians who favor continued British rule in Northern Ireland.

The opportunity for peace, Major said in what was only his third televised address since he took office in 1990, “shouldn’t be thrown away by fears that are unreal and accusations that are untrue.”

Unionist politicians, who represent Northern Ireland’s pro-British Protestant majority, argued that the published text constituted a “sellout” to Dublin. Unionist members of Parliament threatened to sabotage the peace process by refusing to participate in the all-party talks.

But in his televised remarks, Major declared that the people of Northern Ireland have nothing to fear because they would be the ones to decide their future--not governments in London or Dublin.

“Tonight I ask for time,” he said. “And I ask for trust. And I promise to pursue a lasting peace.”

Major said the framework document being fashioned by British and Irish officials is merely an aid for political parties north and south of the border to use in extended peace talks--which have not yet begun.

The London Times indicated that the framework document, in preparation for months, would set up a powerful cross-border authority with broad powers over Northern Ireland and that could deal directly with the European Union in Brussels.

Britain’s secretary for Northern Ireland, Patrick Mayhew, declared in Parliament that the London Times’ analysis was wrong and “absolute rubbish.” He said the story was slanted to anger Unionists and undermine the peace process.

Other government officials also said the “incorrect” story had damaged peace prospects.

The Major government denied that the 23-page document would cede the issue of Irish unity to anyone except the people of Northern Ireland, but said an authority could be set up to deal with cross-border issues such as fishing--with such an authority accountable to a new Northern Ireland Assembly and any decisions made by negotiators ultimately put to a referendum in Northern Ireland.

If the Unionists break off contact, government officials worry, the Northern Ireland cease-fire, observed by the Irish Republican Army for the last five months, could evaporate.

Some observers said that the Unionists would always oppose the aspirations of Dublin and Northern Ireland’s nationalists.

The framework document issue is complicated by the fact that Major is opposed by a handful of rebel Conservatives in his party and has been relying on votes from the Unionist MPs to give him a parliamentary majority on such matters as the European Union.

If the Unionists should walk out on future talks, political sources said, the move could imperil not only the peace process but also the Major government.