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Alliance: We do not propose to submit a detailed set of standing orders. Indeed we doubt that any overly complex procedural rules are necessary. The purpose of any guidelines must be to minimise delay and avoid unnecessary argument on subsidiary issues, rather than to provide a pretext for time wasting and legalistic wrangling. We find it more helpful at this stage to concentrate on the essential requirements and principles which in our view must form the basis for our work and for any procedural guidelines. They are as follows: 1. All delegations must have a fair opportunity to express their views and to be heard by others. (See below, principles 2-4). |
| _Format_\<br>1. According to the Ground Rules, negotiations will be organised so that issues are discussed in the following formats: Plenary, Strand One, Strand Two, Strand Three, the Business Committee. |
Format\<br>10. Negotiations will be organised in the following formats, with appropriate distinctions as to participation and procedural arrangements: Opening Plenary, Strand one, Strand two, Strand three, The Business Committee. |
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_Order of Proceedings and Designated Chairmen_\<br>2. The business of the negotiations will be conducted in the following order a) Opening Plenary b) Strand One c) Strand Two d) Strand Three e) Closing Plenary. |
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3. There will also be a Business Committee whose role is defined in these procedures. There may also be from time to time further Plenary meetings\, convened according to these procedures. The Participants may also\, with agreement establish committees or sub-committees at any stage. |
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| _Chairing the Negotiations_\<br>(2. Paragraph 4 of the "Scenario..." sets out the arrangements for independent chairmanships.) |
18. Chairpersons will be responsible for the orderly conduct of business. Each will conduct the relevant proceedings which fall within the scope of his/her responsibility so as to allow an opportunity for full discussion of the issues\, and will be guided by the objective that the outcome should be agreed by all participating delegations. To this end\, but only by the agreement of the participating Delegations to establish that it would be regarded as helpful\, Chairpersons may bring forward specific suggestions. (Also relates to 1991.2). |
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4. The Chairman for each part of the discussion shall be as follows: Sen. Mitchell (Plenary) British Government (Strand One) Gen de Chastelain (Strand Two and the Business Committee) British and Irish Governments (Strand Three) PM Holkeri (Alternate Chairman for Plenary\, Business Committee\, and Strand Two) |
Labour:\<br>Welcome Sen. Mitchell as chair.\<br>\<br>NIWC:\<br>Concur with paras. 4, 12 of the Scenario. |
| _Committees and Sub-Committees_\<br>3. Where appropriate, other committees and sub-committees of the negotiations may be established by agreement among the participants in the format to which the sub-group relates. Committees and sub-committees shall be chaired by the relevant chairman or, by agreement among the participants in that format, by a person nominated by the chairman. |
27. In addition to the regular plenary meetings the Chairperson may\, with the agreement of the participating Delegations\, propose setting up committee or subcommittee meetings at which Delegations would be represented. He/she may also at any time ask some or appropriate of the participating delegations to meet with him/her; and he/she will accede to any reasonable request for a meeting with him/her from any participating Delegation. |
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| _Conduct of the Proceedings_\<br>4. The relevant Chairman will have responsibility for convening, re-scheduling and adjourning meetings, in consultation, as he considers appropriate, with the relevant participating negotiating teams. However, any negotiating team may request an adjournment of up to 10 minutes at a time and the Chairman shall refuse such requests only if they are made with unreasonable frequency. |
24. The Chairman will have responsibility for the convening\, postponement and adjourning meetings on the basis of proposals from the Business Committee or by the agreement of participating Delegations. It is understood\, however\, that any Delegation may request an adjournment of up to 10 minutes at a time and the Chairman shall only refuse such requests if they are made with unreasonable frequency. |
2. The Chairman will have responsibility for convening\, re-scheduling and adjourning meetings\, in consultation\, as he considers appropriate\, with the participants. However\, any participant may request an adjournment of up to 20 minutes at a time and the Chairman shall refuse such requests only if they are made with unreasonable frequency. |
12. The Chairman shall convene\, postpone\, or adjourn meetings on the basis of proposals from the Business Committee. |
Labour:\<br>10. While Labour is generally content with the proposed role, duties and powers of the independent chairmen consideration should be given to toning down the seemingly authoritarian language in which their duties have been presented. For example... arrangements for meetings consultations with members of negotiating teams is entirely at the discretion of the chairman. Labour takes the view that consultations with members of the negotiating teams are likely to have wide ranging commitments outside the talks process. |
| 5. Where any negotiating team does not attend at a previously agreed time and fails to provide notice of their inability to attend\, the Chairman of that meeting may proceed to conduct the meeting in their absence. If a delegation should withdraw temporarily or permanently from any aspect of the negotiations\, the Chairman will be free to proceed with business with the remaining participants\, notwithstanding such withdrawal. |
32. Where any negotiating team does not attend at a previously agreed time and fails to provide notice of their inability to attend\, the meeting only after agreement may proceed to conduct its business in their absence. If a delegation should withdraw temporarily or permanently from any aspect of the negotiations\, the meeting\, by agreement\, may proceed with its business with the remaining participants\, notwithstanding such withdrawal. |
3. Where any participant does not attend at a previously agreed time and fails to provide notice of their inability to attend\, the Chairman of that meeting may proceed to conduct the meeting in their absence. If a delegation should withdraw temporarily or permanently from any aspect of the negotiations\, the Chairman will be free to proceed with business with the remaining participants\, not withstanding such withdrawal. |
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| 6. The Chairman of each meeting will be responsible for the orderly conduct of business and will conduct the proceedings so as to allow an opportunity for a fair hearing of all the issues. |
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4. The Chairman of each meeting will be responsible for the orderly conduct of business and will conduct the proceedings so as to allow an opportunity for a full and fair hearing of the issues. |
_Role and Responsibility of the Chairmen_\<br>5. The designated Chairman shall preside over all the business of the negotiations and will exercise their functions impartially at all times.\<br>\<br>6. The Chairman will moderate in all meetings to allow an opportunity for full discussion of issues on the agenda, guided by the aim of securing agreement as broad a spectrum of participants as is possible.\<br>\<br>7. All Chairmen will agree to operate within these procedural guidelines and will consult with the Business Committee on the arrangement of business and exercise of their functions.\<br>\<br>8. Chairmen will confine consultations to Delegations participating in the relevant Strand or Committee.\<br>\<br>9. Chairmen will make no public comment, on the talks, without first having ovtained the approval of participating delegation leaders. (Relates to 1991.6). |
Alliance:\<br>2. The chairman must have sufficient powers to maintain order and to ensure the efficient use of time.\<br>3. The chiarman must be able to play a positive role and must have the capacity to initiate proposals or contacts within the negotiations at his discretion..\<br>\<br>NIWC:\<br>9. The Women's Coalition sees the role of the chairperson as operating at two levels: mediation on issues of content and substance, and arbitration on issues of procedure. The Women's Coalition believes that the combination of the role of chair outlined in the Scenario and the rules of operation of the chair outlined in the Procedural Guidelines allows for this. |
| 7. All remarks shall be addressed through the Chairman. Time limits on interventions may be imposed at the Chairman's discretion. |
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5. All remarks shall be addressed through the Chairman. Time limits on interventions may be imposed at the Chairman's discretion. |
14. Any remarks shall be addressed through the Chairman who may limit interventions at his discretion. The Chairman's ruling on individual questions of procedure shall be binding. In arriving at such rulings\, the Chairman will apply the rules for determining sufficient consensus as set out in paragraphs 27 and 28. |
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| 8. The Chairman's ruling on questions of procedure and order shall be final. In arriving at such rulings the Chairman may apply the rules for determining sufficient consensus set out in paragraphs 20 and 21. |
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6. The Chairman's ruling on all individual questions of procedure and order shall be final. In arriving at such rulings the Chairman may apply the rules for determining sufficient consensus. |
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| 9. The Chairman may at any time ask one or more of the participating negotiating teams to meet him; and will accede to any reasonable request for a meeting from any negotiating team(s). |
20. At all times\, Chairpersons will confine their consultations in relation to this process to the negotiators of those groups participating. Any written submissions which may be received from other groups or individuals will have no status. (Also related to 1991.5). |
7. The Chairman may at one time ask one or more of the participating negotiating teams to meet him; and will accede to any reasonable request for a meeting from any negotiating team(s). |
10. The Chairman may at any time seek a meeting or accede to a request for a meeting with any participating Delegation. |
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_Conduct of Proceedings_\<br>11. Proceedings will be private and confidential between the participants. (Relates to 1991.7). |
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| _Opening of the Negotiations_\<br>10. Paragraph 12 of the Ground Rules specified that negotiations will begin on Monday 10 June with an opening Plenary session. Arrangements for the opening Plenary are set out in the "Scenario for the Opening Plenary Session". |
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| 11. Following the conclusion of the opening Plenary\, the appropriate Chairmen will convene meetings of the negotiations within the three streands and in the Sub-Committee of the Plenary established to carry forward work on decommissioning. |
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8. Following the conclusion of the opening Plenary\, the appropriate Chairmen will convene meetings of the negotiations within the three strands and any sub-committees established within the plenary. |
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| 12. The Independent Chairman of the Plenary may convene further meetings of the Plenary as he considers necessary\, in the light of developments across the negotiations as a whole. |
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9. The Independent Chairman of the Plenary may convene further meetings of the Plenary as he considers necessary\, or on the request of the parties\, in the light of developments across the negotiations as a whole. |
15. The Plenary Chairman shall convene further plenary meetings at the request of the BUsiness Committee and may do so if he considers such meetings to be necessary in the light of developments in the discussions. |
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10. Changes and additions to these rules of procedure shall be made only with the agreement of all participants (1991.15). |
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| _Agenda_\<br>13. Participants will negotiate in the various formats, committees and sub-committees, on the basis of the comprehensive agenda for the negotiations as a whole, adopted in the opening session of the Plenary, as it relates to their area of competence. They may, by agreement, develop or refine it. |
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_The Agenda_\<br>20. Delegations will adopt an agenda in the Opening Plenary Session, which they may only amend by unanimous agreement of the participants. |
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| 14. The Business Committee shall establish and maintain an indicative calendar for the negotiations as a whole and within the various formats. The timing and duration of meetings in the various formats shall be determined by the relevant Chairman in consultation with the participants in accordance with this indicative calendar. |
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_Agenda_\<br>11. The Business Committee shall establish and maintain an indicative calendar for the negotiations as a whole and within the various formats. The timing and duration of meetings in the various formats shall be determined by the relevant Chairman in consultation with the participants in accordance with this calendar. |
_Business Committee_\<br>16. A Business Committee will be formed comprised of one member from each participating delegation, and a Chairman as outlined in para. 4.\<br>\<br>17. The Business Committee will advise the Chairman on the exercise of his functions and will facilitate communication between participating Delegations and the Chairman.\<br>\<br>18. The Business Committee will normally meet on the same day as talks take place.\<br>\<br>19. The Business Committee shall determine the venues for meetings. |
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| 15. The agenda for each meeting of the negotiations shall be settled on the basis of proposals put forward by the Chairman in accordance with the overall agenda for the relevant format\, and taking into account the indicative calendar and the views of the Business Committee. |
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12. The agenda for each meeting of the negotiations shall be settled by the participants on the basis of proposals put forward by the Chairman in accordance with the overall agenda for the relevant format\, and taking into account the indicative calendar and the advice of the Business Committee. |
13. The Chairman shall prepare the daily business agenda in consultation with the Business Committee.\<br\>\<br\>21. The agenda for each meeting shall be drawn up by the Business Committee\, but this agenda must comply with the overall agenda agreed at the Opening Plenary Session. |
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| _Decision-Taking_\<br>16. The negotiations will operate on the basis of consensus. However, if, in relation to issues whose determination falls outside the discretion available to the Chairman under the Ground Rules or the Procedural Guidelines, it appears to the Chairman, after a reasonable period of discussion, that there is no unanimity, he may follow one or more of the courses of action set out below: a) the Chairman may consult with the participants, with a view to putting forward a solution that he believes will secure agreement; and/or b) the Chairman may invite the participants to set up a small but broadly representative working group (the composition to the determined by the Chairman after consultation with the participants, but which must, other than in relation to Strand One issues, include nominees of each of the two Governments) to consider the specific issues in dispute within an agreed time scale and, at the discretion of the Chairman, to recommend possible ways forward; and/or c) the Chairman may seek the agreement of all the participants to refer the matter to a group of experts for advice, requesting a report within an agreed specified period. |
35. The negotiations will operate on the basis of consensus. However\, if in relation to any issue it appears that there is no unanimity the issue may be resolved on the basis of sufficient consensus.\<br\>\<br\>38. Before operating on the basis of sufficient consensus the chairman may\, with the agreement of participating delegations\, a) consult with the participants with a view to putting forward a proposal which he believes may secure agreement; and/or\, b) Invite the participants to set up a small but broadly representative working group to consider the specific issues in dispute; and/or\, c) seek the agreement of all the participants to refer the matter to a group of agreed experts for advice requesting a report within a specified time period; and/or refer the matter to the Forum for consideration requesting a report. |
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25. The Participating groups may agree to request a report on any subject from the Forum. Such agreement to be reached by the process known as sufficient consensus detailed in paras. 27 and 28. The Forum itself\, notwithstanding any Forum rule shall adopt such report by unanimity or sufficient consensus. |
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| 17. It will also be open to the participants\, acting solely by agreement and only at their instigation\, and subject to the provisions set out in paragraph 22 below\, to refer the matter to the forum for consideration\, requesting a report. |
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| 18. If\, after the participants have considered any further proposals arising from one or more of the courses of action set out above\, it appears to the Chairman that there is no unanimity on a particular point\, the Chairman shall have the discretion to determine whether sufficient consensus\, as defined in paragraph 21\, exists to allow the negotiations to proceed. |
39. If after the participants have considered any further proposals arising from one or more of the courses of action set out above\, there is no unanimity on a particular point\, the matter shall be determined on the basis of sufficient consensus as defined in paragraph 37. |
14. If\, after the participants have considered any further proposals arising from one or more of the courses of action set out above\, it appears to the Chairman that there is no unanimity on a particular point\, the Chairman shall have discretion to determine whether sufficient consensus\, as defined in paragraph 17\, exists to allow the negotiations to proceed. |
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Alliance:\<br>4. The widest possible agreement must be sought, within the context that it is the people of Northern Ireland who will finally decide on the acceptability or otherwise of proposals emerging from this process. Procedures must allow for the possibility of proposals emerging from the process which have sufficiently broad support to deserve being put to referendum even though they do not command the unanimous backing of all the groups taking part in the negotiations. |
| 19. Where it does not prove possible to achieve either unanimity or sufficient consensus to proceed\, the Chairman will work\, in consultation with the participating negotiating teams\, to seek to remove obstacles to the reaching of agreement. |
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19. Where it does not prove possible to achieve either unanimity or sufficient consensus to proceed\, the Chairman will work\, in consultation with the participating negotiating teams\, to seek to remove obstacles to the reaching of agreement. |
26. In the event of the forgoing provisions (para. 25)\, in any part of the negotiations process referred to in paragraph 28\, failing to produce unanimity on the issue in dispute\, the issue shall then be determined by sufficient consensus as defined I paragraphs 27 and 28. In the event that no consensus can be found then the Chairman\, with the agreement of the Business Committee\, may decided to move on to the next item on the agenda. |
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| _Sufficient Consensus_\<br>20. The rules for establishing sufficient consensus as described in paragraph 24 of the Ground Rules are set out in paragraph 21 below. In addition to Strands One and Two, sufficient consensus may also apply in committees and sub-committees of the Plenary, Strand One and Strand Two and in sub-committees of the Business Committee. |
36. The rules for establishing sufficient consensus are set out in paragraph 37 below. In addition to Strands One and Two sufficient consensus may also apply in the Opening Plenary and the Business Committtee. Sufficient consensus may also apply in committees and sub-committees of the Opening Plenary\, Strand One and Strand Two and in sub-committees of the Business Committee. |
16. The rules for establishing sufficient consensus are set out in paragraph 17 below. Sufficient consensus will apply in the Plenary. Sufficient consensus will also apply in committees and sub-committees of the Plenary and in sub-committees of the Business Committee. |
28. Sufficient consensus shall apply to all decisions taken in Plenary Sessions\, the Business Committee\, and in Strand One\, together with any of any committee or sub committee of the aforementioned. It will also be necessary in any decision to move on to the next business on the agenda. For sufficient consensus to have been obtained\, the agreement of H.M. Government is also required. |
PUP: ...The definition of the terms 'Consensus and Agreement' should clearly be determined... |
| 21. A particular proposition may be deemed to have sufficient consensus where the Chairman is satisfied\, having regard to the political parties' voting strengths according to the percentage of the valid pole each received Northern-Ireland-wide at the elections on 30 May 1996\, that it is supported by parties which\, taken together\, obtained a clear majority of the valid poll and which between them represent a clear majority in both the unionist and nationalist communities in Northern Ireland respectively. With the exception of Strand One\, both Governments must also endorse the particular proposition for it to be deemed to have achieved sufficient consensus. |
37. A particular proposition may be deemed to have sufficient consensus where it gains the support of participating delegations whose voting strengths at the elections held on 30 May 1996 show that they have the support of at least 75% of the valid poll. |
17. A particular proposition may be deemed to have sufficient consensus where the Chairman is satisfied both that a) having regard to the political parties' voting strengths according to the percentage of the valid pole each received Northern Ireland-wide at the elections on 30 May 1996\, that it is supported by parties which\, taken together\, clearly obtained a vote exceeding a threshold of 66% of the valid poll\, therefore indicating broad acceptability in both unionist and nationalist communities; and\, b) that the proposition commands the support of 7 parties. |
27. A proposition will be deemed to have sufficient consensus when supported by participating parties which shall have obtained a clear majority of the valid votes cast in the Northern Ireland Forum elections of 30th May 1996\, and which between then represent majorities of the Unionist and Nationalist sections of the people of Northern Ireland. |
Alliance:\<br>The measure of agreement necessary before such a step could be taken would have to be such as to indicate significant support across the community. An appropriate measure would be that 'sufficient consensus' could be considered to exist when a proposition had the support of a distinct majority of those delegations taking part (weighted in proportion to their share of the overall vote in the May 30th election) and also had the support of a majority on the unionist side and a majority on the nationalist side (again on the basis of votes case in the May 30th election).<br><br>NIWC:<br>12. The Women's Coalition wants to see the enlargement of the concept of sufficient consensus by the addition of a second definition - i.e. that sufficient consensus should also mean the necessity to secure the agreement of a set number of parties.<br>13. The Women's Coalition calls for sufficient consensus to be defined and applied differently at different levels of decision-making (Option 1); or for both definitions of sufficient consensus to he applied in combination at all levels (Option 2).<br>14. Option 1. In every meeting and forum except in Plenary Sessions\, sufficient consensus should mean sufficient consensus among the parties\, with the operation of a high threshold of 7 or 8 parties. At Plenary level the voting strengths of the parties should be applied as per para. 21 of the Procedural Guidelines.<br>15. Option 2. The application of sufficient consensus should mean the achievement of a combination\, or double\, sufficient consensus. To achieve sufficient consensus at every level and in every forum including Plenary Session a threshold of voting strength and a threshold of parties should be attained; for example a percentage of the valid poll and the agreement of 7 or 8 parties. |
| _Reference to the Forum_<br>22. The negotiating teams in any format of the negotiations\, acting solely by agreement and on the formal proposal of a participant in that format\, may direct the relevant Chairman of the format in question to request the members of the forum\, through the Secretary of State\, to consider\, investigate it discuss a specified subject and to submit a report on that subject to the negotiating teams within a specified period. Any such report from the forum may only be formally taken under notice by the negotiating teams if it has consensus support in the forum according with the forum's rules of procedure. |
34. The negotiating teams in any format of the negotiations\, by agreement and on the formal proposal of a participant in that format\, may direct the relevant Chairman of the format in question to request the members of the forum\, through the Secretary of State\, to consider\, investigate it discuss a specified subject and to submit a report on that subject to the negotiating teams within a specified period. Any such report from the forum may only be formally taken under notice by the negotiating teams if it has consensus support in the forum according with the forum's rules of procedure. The forum may from time to time submit a report on subjects it believes would be of value to the negotiations. Such reports will only formally be lodged with the agreement of the Business Committee. |
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_Referral of Issues to the Forum_<br>29. Negotiating teams may by agreement direct the relevant Chairman of the format in question to request a report from the Forum\, provided that it does not contravene the rules of procedure of the Forum.<br><br>(See also para. 25.) |
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| _Liaison Arrangements with the Irish Government in Relation to Strand One_<br>23. The British Government\, as Chairman of Strand One\, will keep the Irish Government informed of the progress achieved in Strand One\, through liaison arrangements agreed between the two Governments following consultation with the political parties. |
_Liaison Arrangements with the Irish Republic's Government in Relation to Strand One_<br>40. At a meeting of the Business Committee\, Her Majesty's Government as Chair of Strand One\, will provide the Irish Republic's Government with an agreed statement of progress achieved in Strand One. |
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| _Meetings Between the Governments and the Political Parties in Relation to Strand Three_<br>24. As set out in paragraph 21 of the Ground Rules for substantive all-party negotiations\, negotiations on Strand Three issues will be between the two Governments. However\, with a view to providing a meaningful role for the political parties\, the two Governments will\, during the course of their negotiations: - ensure regular meetings at which the political parties will be briefed and\, as appropriate\, consulted on progress in the negotiations\, and at which they would be able to put forward their views on Strand Three issues under discussion; -meet the political parties at their request for further discussion of Strand Three issues. |
_Meeting of Her Majesty's Government and the Irish Republic's Government with the Participating Delegations in Relation to Strand Three_<br>41. With a view to providing a meaningful role for the political parties\, Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic will\, during the course of their negotiations:- ensure that at the Business Committee the participating Delegations will be briefed and\, as appropriate\, consulted on the progress in the negotiations\, and at which they would be able to put forward their views on Strand Three issues under discussion. |
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_Liaison Arrangements with H.M. Government in Relation to Strand Three_<br>30. H.M. Government will keep the participating delegations informed of the progress achieved in Strand Three through liaison arrangements agreed by the Business Committee. |
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| 25. To this end\, the two Governments will convene regular meetings involving up to three members of the negotiating team of each political party. Such meetings will be co-chaired by the two Governments. The two Governments will also meet negotiating teams at their request\, either separately or together. |
42. To this end\, Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic will convene regular meetings involving up to three members of the negotiating team of each political party. Such meetings will be co-chaired. Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic will also meet negotiating teams at their request\, either separately or together. |
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| 26. It will be open to the parties to submit their own views\, either orally or in writing both on issues under discussion in Strand Three or on any other issues appropriate to Strand Three which the parties may wish to raise. Any reponse that may be given by the two Governments will be given jointly. |
43. It will be open to the parties to submit their own views\, either orally or in writing both on issues under discussion in Strand Three or on any other issues appropriate to Strand Three which the parties may wish to raise. Any reponse that may be given by Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland will be given jointly. |
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31. Participating Delegations may submit their own views on any issue relevant to Strand Three. Both Governments will respond jointly to any such input. |
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| 27. The outcome of the Strand Three issues will be considered by all the participants alongside the outcome of the other elements of the negotiations as a whole. |
44. The outcome of the Strand Three issues will be considered by all the participants alongside the outcome of the other elements of the negotiations as a whole. |
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32. The proposals emerging from Strand Three will be considered by all the participating delegations\, in the same manner as proposals emerging from Strands One and Two. |
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| _Records of Meetings_<br>28. Records of formal meetings will be prepared by note-takers under the general direction of the Chairman of the format within which the meeting takes place. A draft record of each formal meeting will be circulated as soon as possible to the negotiating team of each Government and political party participating in the meeting and will be subject to their approval at the next meeting in that format\, or earlier if appropriate. |
30. An agreed record of proceedings will be maintained under the general direction of the Chairperson and circulated only to Delegations participating in the meeting. Approval of the records of meetings involving all participating Delegations will be a matter for the Business Committee.<br><br>_Records of Meetings_<br>45. Records of formal meetings will be prepared by note-takers under the general direction of the Chairman of the format within which the meeting takes place. A draft record of each meeting will be circulated as soon as possible to the negotiating team of each Government ad political party participating in the meeting and will be subject to their approval at the next meeting in that format\, or earlier if possible. |
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_Records and Minutes_<br>34. A minute of proceedings will be circulated to participating delegates only by the Chairman and the Business Committee shall be responsible for the approval or all such minutes. |
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| 29. The British Government will provide a team of civil servants responsible for taking the record of formal Strand One meetings. The two Governments will provide a pool of civil servants responsible for taking the record of formal meetings in other formats. The Chairman of the format in question shall appoint note-takers for each meetings from among the officials nominated by the two Governments. |
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33. H.M. Government will provide a team of civil servants for the purpose of taking the record of all Plenary Sessions\, the Business Committee\, Strand One and Strand Two meetings\, and any committees or sub-committees established within these formats. Note taking arrangements for meetings falling ouside tha bove shall be at the discretion of the relevant Chairman. |
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| 30. The participants in any meeting may\, with the agreement of the Chairman of the format concerned\, agree to depart from the arrangements set out in paragraph 28 and 29. |
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_Alteration of Rules of Procedure_<br>35. These procedural guidelines shall only be amended by a unanimous vote of all participating Delegations. |
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_Timing of Negotiations_<br>36. Any meeting of the negotiations shall take place only on Mondays\, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. |
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NIWC:<br>18. The Women's Coalition requests that in the spirit of Para 7 of the Opening Plenary when it refers to "representatives of the two governments and of the political parties"\, a flexible interpretation of the word representative should be applied. On occasion it should mean elected representatives in the case of final decision-making fora such as the Plenary Sessions. On occasiton at lower level discussions it should mean representative of the party to allow the participation of party alternates with the appropriate skills ad expertise. (Relates to Scenario doc.\, para 7). |
