A glossary guide to Northern Irish politics

For many outsiders understanding what is going on in Northern Ireland is a daunting prospect. Its potent and lethal tangle of religion, politics and nationalism is hard to unravel. Here are a few definitions that may prove useful:

Gerry Adams - Head of the Nationalist Sinn Fein political party, which many link with the IRA. Adams has been under fire from extremist Republican elements, especially over the issue of decommissioning weapons.

Cross-community - Involving both Catholic and Protestant groups.

Decommissioning - The process by which paramilitary groups hand in their weapons. People also use the phrase "putting weapons beyond use," which is not considered the same as handing over arms.

Good Friday Agreement - The 1998 Agreement signed at Stormont Castle near Belfast by all the major Catholic and Protestant political parties in Northern Ireland and brokered by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell.  Among its accomplishments, the agreement paved the way for the creation of a representative Northern Ireland Assembly and mapped out a timetable for the handing in of paramilitary weapons.

Nationalists (a.k.a. "Republicans") -- Traditionally Catholic; supporters of a unified Republic of Ireland, in which the North would no longer be part of the United Kingdom.

Paramilitaries - Self-appointed military-styled Catholic and Protestant groups that see themselves as the defenders of their communities, resorting to violence and intimidation to make their views heard.  Often they direct this violence toward members of their own community who speak out against them.  The groups vary in size and strength and include the Catholic Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Protestant Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

Sectarian - Describes division and discrimination along religious lines.  In Northern Ireland, this divide has occurred between Catholics and Protestants.

David Trimble - Unionist leader chosen to be the Northern Assembly's first minister.  Hardliners in his own party accuse him of having given too much away to Nationalists.  Many feel his continuing leadership is crucial to the success of the peace process.

Ulster - The name given to the area now known as Northern Ireland by British settlers who began living in the area 11 years before the pilgrims set sail from Plymouth.

Unionists (a.k.a. "Loyalists") - Traditionally Protestant; supporters of a Northern Ireland that remains under British rule.

*  LaCamera is a UMNS correspondent based in England.