- Event type: CREATE
Northern Ireland Mini-Models
A selection of mini-models designed to provide an insight into the ongoing work of 'Writing Peace' and to demonstrate Quill's approach to visualising the archive material and tracking the process of negotiation. This collection is still under construction.
Evolution of the Human Rights Language in the Good Friday Agreement
This mini-model has been created to trace the history and evolution of the language that eventually became the Human Rights section of the Good Friday Agreement. We hope that visualizing the development of that language will help us understand its context and significance. A wide range of documents are included, beginning with early drafts of the Joint Declaration and culminating in the final Agreement, and a wide range of actors are identified as part of the process of producing them. The mini-model is still incomplete at the moment, and we aim to expand it as we source more drafts of the various documents involved and the papers that put them in context.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
Session 16452: 1998-04-10 12:00:00
We have created this mini-model for Professor Christopher McCrudden's presentation to the Agreement 25 Conference at Queen's University, Belfast. It tracks how documents produced by various parties over a number of years contributed to a small section of text. By clicking on the document icon at the bottom of the timeline, you can see the text of the documents in their entirety and compare them to their 'ancestors'; when you click on the amendment icons above, you can see how they each propose to alter the text that eventually became the Human Rights section of the Good Friday Agreement. Nb: Since in this mini-model, as opposed to in our main projects, we are presenting only these documents rather than everything tabled during the course of a negotiation, we have decided to model them all in one session, using the date of the Agreement, so that the model is easier to navigate.
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Combat Magazine Article – November 1993
THE HIDDEN AGENDA
Not surprisingly, much controversy has resulted from the 'joint report' arising from the Hume/Adams' talks. As Unionists voice their disapproval, more guarded responses have come from the Irish Government and the Catholic Church.
Little has been said by Hume or Adams on their 'discussions', but what little we have heard has sounded the alarm bells.
John Hume and Gerry Adams can discuss and debate as much as they want their proposals for solutions to our problems.
The Irish Government are at liberty to view those proposals in any way they see fit.
The British Government can use any caution they wish in dealing with the proposals that come from the clandestine meetings between the Nationalist SDLP and Provo henchmen in Sinn Fein.
But one thing they must all remember and that is.
Without a cessation of the murder campaign of the IRA.
There will be no peace in Ulster.
Almost everyone is in agreement in condemnation of John Hume's methods. His totally arrogant attitude could be inferred as meaning to and succeeding in deeply upsetting the Unionist community.
And whilst the two, Adams and Hume, were discussing the future of Northern Ireland, the Provo bomb and bullet squads were carrying on with their programme of destruction and genocide.
They blandly carried on debating their 'solutions' whilst the heart was being torn out of the Province by massive bombs which were effectively throwing thousands out of work, regardless of religion.
How can they expect anyone to listen or take heed to them when the men they represent were, if anything, intensifying their murder and mayhem?
NO CREDIBILITY
This marvellous breakthrough, this watershed in Irish politics was launched in such a flawed, pathetic manner as to render any small chance it ever had of bringing any sense of hope to the people of Northern Ireland null and void.
There is no credibility whatsoever that can be attached to meetings that take place behind closed doors.
There is no credibility whatsoever that can be attached to meetings which have their results given to a foreign country.
Do these people think they can override the majority in Ulster and by-pass the democratic wishes of the Protestant as well as quite a few Catholic inhabitants of this Province?
If they do then they have another think coming.
Of course the people of Ulster want peace to pursue their lives and culture without hindrance!
Of course, after more than twenty years of this 'bleeding sore' the desire is to remove the gun from the conflict!
But there are those who would perceive our desire for the end to the bloodshed and destruction as an indicator to the price we will pay!
And of course, as usual, throughout the hell we've been forced to endure, they have got it wrong again; and we are compelled to state the obvious.
To John Hume, to Gerry Adams. To the Government of Eire and to all who perceive themselves of the Irish Nation we say no to a United Ireland and no to blackmail.
The Sunningdale fiasco, where the British Government attempted to force upon us their undemocratic power-sharing aspirations, was defeated by the will of the people.
The Anglo-Irish Agreement is foundering on its feet. Foundering because of the fact that it was another attempt to force foreign aspirations on us that are, even now, being defeated by the will of the people.
NO MANDATE
Hume and Adams have done exactly what has been done before. Held secret meetings without a mandate from the people of Ulster.
It failed in the past and will fail again.
A very significant difference this time being that, those whom they represent are destroying our Province whilst their cohorts speak hypocritically about saving it.
All human beings have the right to:
Free political thought.
To Freedom.
To worship where and when they so desire.
To political aspirations of their choice.
To seek change constitutionally.
To equal opportunity.
There can be no price for peace. There is a price for war!
The Republican Movement do not consider Unionism as a legitimate political philosophy. The only legitimate political philosophy they consider is that of idealistic cause not given to the practicalities of modern life in a modern world.
Is it not absurd that Gerry Adams dictates that Unionists are out of step because we cannot accept his political and military desires?
Is it not absurd that he blames Britain should his initiative fail.
The people of Ulster have suffered enough.
The people of Ulster, Protestant and Catholic, have suffered enough rhetoric.
Lay down your arms and allow us the right to the normal worries of life.
The worries of employment and every day living are much preferred to the worries of death and destruction.
OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE
From the word go we have consistently stated that there will be no input from the South into our affairs.
Why should there be? What other country would put up with interference from outside influences?
Those that have tried have found themselves caught up in conflicts that have been brought about by the incursion of intruders into other's affairs.
Why should we be different?
Adams' and Hume's meetings have all been in vain. Engulfed in and swallowed up by their own inadequacies.
They can talk to whoever they want from now till doomsday.
They can discuss any and all topics under the sun.
They can debate the present troubles in Ulster for ever and a day.
What they cannot do is expect us to listen to, or pay any heed to their claptrap.
When the bombs and bullets cease.
When Gerry Adams and his supporters show a genuine concern for the people of this Province.
When the Irish Government denounce their claims to this part of the United Kingdom.
Then and then only can there be constructive dialogue towards peace and stability in Ulster.
CARSON
Decisions yet to be taken
Document Timeline
- Combat Magazine Article – November 1993 (introduced on 1998-04-10 12:00:00 - CREATE - e954291) [This document]
[view current proposal at this moment]
- None (introduced on 1998-04-10 12:00:00 - ADOPT_PROPOSAL - e954297) [view current proposal at this moment]