Prime Minister hails ‘yes’ vote in Good Friday referendum as ‘a day for joy’

This week in 1998, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the “yes” vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland, describing it as “a day for joy”.

The referendum returned a resounding “yes” vote with 71 per cent of voters from Northern Ireland and 94 per cent of those in the Irish Republic showing their support for the Good Friday peace agreement.

“This is the result we have worked for and wanted,” said a triumphant Mr Blair. “It’s another giant stride along the path to peace, hope and the future.”

In other news, Emperor Akihito of Japan spoke of his “deep sorrow and pain” over the suffering inflicted by his country during World War II – but was widely condemned as he did not apologise for the treatment of prisoners in work camps.

Addressing a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the Emperor said he could “never forget” the many kinds of suffering experienced by so many. Angered war veterans said that Emperor Akihito had not gone far enough and demanded a “real, meaningful apology”.

Elsewhere, Pakistan exploded five underground nuclear devices in response to India’s nuclear tests the previous fortnight.

The move provoked worldwide condemnation and fears of a nuclear conflict in one of the world’s most volatile regions. Pakistani officials said the devices were detonated underground in the Baluchistan region near the border with Afghanistan.

Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the nation on television and said the five tests by India had made the action “inevitable”.

In sport, the 1998 FA Cup Final was contested between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the original Wembley Stadium in London.

Watched by a crowd of 79,183 and a TV audience of more than seven million, the Gunners took a first half lead through Marc Overmars. A goal after the interval, scored by Nicolas Anelka gave Arsenal a 2–0 victory.