Former Enemies Govern Belfast

Northern Ireland took charge of its own affairs Thursday, in a carefully choreographed series of historic moves designed to bring lasting peace to all of Ireland.

The Irish Government in Dublin formally gave up its claim to the territory of Northern Ireland.

The British Government in London also loosened its grip on the province, transferring local government powers to Northern Ireland. The power-sharing Cabinet of Protestants and Catholics sat down together for the first time Thursday afternoon.

CBS News Correspondent Tom Fenton Reports.

All of these moves were the fruit of years of on-and-off again negotiations, brokered by an American mediator, former Senator George Mitchell.

The first meetings produced no decisions but encouraged hopes that three decades of bloodshed may truly be at an end.

In Seattle, President Clinton hailed the "remarkable and historic" events taking place in Northern Ireland.

Clinton said the promise of last year's Good Friday peace accord is being realized - giving the people of the province the power to shape their future.

Speaking in Seattle Thursday, Clinton also pledged that the United States will continue to stand with all those committed to peace in Northern Ireland.

An amendment to the 1937 Irish constitution, signed into law Thursday in Dublin, drops the territorial claim to all of Ireland. It now merely expresses Â"the firm will of the Irish nationÂ" to unite Â"all the people of Ireland.Â"

A new intergovernmental body was se up, to coordinate policymaking between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said: Â"We can now move into a new future, rich in the promise of peace, partnership, and prosperity.Â"

In London, which granted home rule at midnight to a new Northern Ireland government, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: Â"This is an historic day. Power in Northern Ireland has been returned to its people.Â"

And in Belfast, Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander who is now Minister of Education in the new Northern Ireland Government, hoped the new power sharing arrangements were a step toward the day when the IRA would become a thing of the past.

McGuinness said he looked forward to Â"a situation and circumstances where there are no armed groups, where there is no conflict, and where there is no injustice and inequality.Â"

Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson said he was confident the IRA would disarm, but warned that the new home-rule government would be suspended if guns were not handed in.

Ireland seems to have reached an important turning point, but no one is predicting that the road ahead will be easy. British Protestants have taken a first step by agreeing to share power. Irish Catholics have responded by agreeing to peaceful coexistence. After centuries of prejudice and hate, both communities will now have to learn to work together. That will be the hardest part.

Blair warned: "There are still some who will try to disrupt the progress made, who will try to shatter this chance of peace."

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