BY FAX
18 JUNE
Edward Oakden Esq
Private Secretary
Prime Minister's Office
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
{File John 19/6}
{_Prime Minister_
You might also have this in mind when you talk to the Taoiseach tomorrow}
{Dear Edward}
ST MICHAEL'S SCHOOL, TRIM: LAUNCH OF PEACE BOOK
1. I should record that I attended the ceremony on 17 June to launch the Peace Book at St Michael's Boys' Primary School\, Trim\, about which the Prime Minister sent a message of congratulation (your letter of 10 June to Mr Sean Dempsey refers).
2. The ceremony was small. Those present included the 200 or so pupils of the school\, the staff and a number of parents. The VIPs were led by the Taoiseach\, with the local Bishop and Mr Noel Dempsey\, Fianna Fail TD and brother of the Headmaster\, also attending. No doubt due to prompting from the Taoiseach's press office the event received wide coverage in the Irish media and indeed was even on the BBC news this morning. The occasion certainly had a poignant symbolism in the wake of the Manchester bombing\, illustrated by the presence of representatives from Blackbrook County Primary School in Taunton.
3. The Taoiseach used the event to call on the IRA to restore its ceasefire. He challenged Sinn Fein to indicate whether it supports an armed struggle. The Republican movement had to make up its mind whether it is part of a peace strategy of not. If not\, Sinn Fein must apologise to those who voted for them in the recent elections. The movement should pay attention to those who wanted peace and dialogue.
4. I said a few words in a similar vein. The Prime Minister's message was read out\, as were messages from a number of others including Lord Owen\, Paddy Ashdown and Terry Waite. The Taoiseach told me that he would mention the event to the Prime Minister when he meets him in Florence.
{Yours ever,
Veronica.}
V E Sutherland
HM AMBASSADOR
cc: Martin Howard Esq, NIO
William Ehrman Esq, Private Office
<br>
THE PRIME MINISTER
The creation of a lasting peace for the children of Northern Ireland is one of my most important objectives.
I warmly welcome all ideas which contribute to this end.
The launch of your joint Peace Book is one such imaginative initiative - and I would like to wish both Blackbrook County Primary School, Taunton, Somerset, England, and St Michael's BNS, Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland, every success with it.
{John Major}
_June 1996_
