CPL1/22432
{71} 13 JUN 96
{102/21/ ~~6011~~}
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED 13 JUN 1996 ASSISTANT SEC CPL {494}
FROM: R P LEMON
PS/Michael Ancram
12 June 1996
cc PS/Secretary of State (B&L) - B
PS/Michael Ancram (B&L) - B
PS/PUS (B&L) - B
PS/David Fell - B
Mr Thomas (B&L) - B
Mr Watkins - B
{(1) _D.C. _(2) D. Mc ~~N~~. OIR}
Mr Leach - B
Mr Bell - B
Mr Hi~~ll~~ - B
Mr Maccabe - B
Mr Stephens - B
{Bilats Foide}
Mr Lavery - B
Mr Beeton - B
Note for the Record
BILATERALS WITH THE PARTIES: 11 JUNE 1996
As part of a series of bilaterals on the afternoon of 11 June, Michael Ancram met a delegation headed by Hugh Smyth and David Ervine from the PUP in Castle Buildings. The meeting had been requested by the PUP and was brief.
_Main Points_
2. _McMichael_ began by saying that he accepted Mitchell and believed that the Government’s [sic] should proceed on the basis of him as Chairman. Ervine asked how strong HMG would be on getting parties to sign up to the Mitchell principles. He said that his party would not accept a collapse forced by Ian Paisley and McCartney and suggested that there might be a reconvening if no agreement was reached. _Hutchinson_ referred to the larger parties and said that their domination was a matter which effected all the smaller parties not just PUP and they would not accept being marginalised by them.
3. _The Minister_ described a changing situation and said that a further change had developed just before 1500 hours which was still under consideration. The Minister referred to the 1991 rules and the delegation asked for a copy\, which was handed over. _Ervine_ said on more than one occasion that if the larger unionist parties blocked progress this would send the wrong message into the community.
4. _Mr Smyth_ asked if the ‘devil’ would walk out (apparently a reference to Reverend Ian Paisley). _Hutchinson_ repeated that they did not want Paisley and McCartney pulling the smaller parties apart.
5. _The Minister_ said that he did not know if Ian Paisley intended to walk out but he did know that every effort was being made to keep the process going.
SIGNED
R P LEMON
PS/Michael Ancram
BB/SSTALKS/128
CONFIDENTIAL
