CPL1/22388
RESTRICTED
{~~10184~~4/102121}
RECEIVED 11 JUN 1996 ASSISTANT SEC CPL
FROM: ANGELA DULLAGHAN
PS/Michael Ancram
10 June 1996
cc PS/Secretary of State (B&L) - B
PS/Michael Ancram (B&L) - B
PS/Baroness Denton (DED, DANI&L) - B
PS/PUS (B&L) - B
PS/Sir David Fell - B
PS/Lady Mayhew
Mr Thomas (B&L) - B
Mr Bell - B
Mr Leach - B
Mr Watkins - B
Mr Wood (B&L) - B
Mr Hill - B
Mr Maccabe - B
Mr Stephens - B
Mr Beeton - B
Mrs Brown - B
Mr Lavery - B
Mr Carson - B
Mr Haire, DED
{1) MR ~~Co~~leman}
{2) MRS M~~cN~~ OIR}
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
MICHAEL ANCRAM'S MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE NI _WOMEN'S COALITION_ {file}
The Minister met Monica McWilliams, Pearl Sagar and Bronagh Hinds of the NI Women's Coalition at 9.30 am on Friday 7 June in Stormont Castle.
2. Ms McWilliams had requested this meeting to have the opportunity of introducing her team to the Minister in advance of the All Party Talks on Monday 10 June. She explained her party's position with regard to the talks and informed the Minister that the Women's coalition wanted to be involved as much as possible in all aspects of the talks process.
_Detail_
3. _The Minister_ welcomed the delegation and congratulated them on their success at the election. The Minister was delighted that they had made the top ten and he stressed that the Government wanted as wide a representation as possible at the talks.
4. _Ms McWilliams_ explained how her party had drawn its members from both sides of the community and also considered themselves to be cross-class. They did not want people to think of them as a bunch of middle class\, intellectual\, elitist women. She explained that the party would be drawing on a lot of expertise from outside bodies during the talks.
5. She went on to explain how disappointed she had been with the performance of Dr Paisley and John Taylor on Newsnight. They had come have across as very angry people. Mr Taylor's cry of 'The people spoken' could no longer stand up as the last word. It was clear from the election result that 'the People' meant a very widespread of opinion. The talks needed to be possible and without pre-conditions. _Ms Sagar_ saying that that was what she had perceived on as inclusionary as concurred with this the ground. _Ms McWilliams_ went on to say that her party had come to the conclusion that Sinn Fein should be included but if they are not there she wanted to make it clear that the Women's Coalition would be there. If any party walks out her party will talk to their contacts and will argue for agreement and accommodation.
6. _The Minister_ pointed out that during the previous talks in 91/92\, he was told\, a lot of the constructive work had been done in the tea room and in bi-lateral meetings and these took on a momentum of their own. It was always going to be difficult with parties and individuals walking in and out but he took the pragmatic view that they should be left to do this.
7. With regard to Sinn Fein being admitted to the talks _the Minister_ explained that he wanted them to be there but each party must be talking on the same basis. The absence of a ceasefire created an unacceptable pressure.
8. _Ms McWilliams_ said that there were some who would take the view that the talks should have been called before the breakdown of the ceasefire.
9. _The Minister_ explained that a formula had to be found to get everyone to the talks. The Government had talked about elections for a long time\, the election was not called because of the bomb at Canary Wharf. What was apparent when the bomb went off was that it made a lie of the claim that the IRA ceasefire was permanent.
10. _Ms McWilliams_ stated that she understood this but the fact was that a significant proportion of people would not be represented on Monday. _Ms Hinds_ agreed and said that they would have to agree to differ on this. The soundings she had made on the ground showed that people wanted everyone to talk. _The Minister_ also pointed out that if the ceasefire was reinstated and Sinn Fein were eligible to enter the talks then they would join where the talks had got to.
11. _Ms Hinds_ believed that the UDP and PUP would be used as a yardstick and if it was seen that they had a meaningful role it could be helpful.
12. _The Minister_ explained that Monday would be chaotic. The Government could set out the groundrules but the process belonged to the participants and would create its own dynamic. _Mr Maccabe_ related that in his experience of the last talks communications were set up in all directions between parties and individuals\, all creating confidence.
13. _Ms McWilliams_ went on to ask about the decommissioning working group with regard to representation of the smaller parties. _The Minister_ explained that this would depend on the plenary session. It would then be a matter of those involved going off to work on the technicalities of decommissioning. Not all parties wanted to be involved in this. The DUP for example had said that this was a matter for the two Governments only.
14. _Ms Hinds_ indicated that the Women's Coalition were anxious to see if they could have a neutral role on the decommissioning issue. _The Minister_ pointed out that there were no hard and fast rules. He did point out that it would involve a lot of detailed work. _Ms McWilliams_ agreed and explained that the Women's Coalition were used to preparing papers etc and would be drawing on expertise from outside ie\, trade unions\, voluntary sector\, community activists and Business people. They were confident they had the resources to get involved at all levels.
15. _Ms McWilliams_ moved on to the question of Chairmen. She was aware that they owed us a response on the chairmanship issue. She told the Minister said she was keen on the idea of an Independent Chairman and was aware of many prominent women internationally who could fill this role.
16. Finally _Ms Hinds_ asked if the talks were likely to carry on through the summer. _The Minister_ stated that the momentum of the process itself would decide.
Signed
ANGELA DULLAGHAN
PS/Michael Ancram
RESTRICTED
BB/MOFS/11190
