In this memo, John Chilcot discusses whether John Major should be briefed in preparation for a prospective proposal from Charles Haughey regarding a joint declaration. He concludes that such a briefing is unnecessary, and lists the principal elements of the British Government's position on negotiations with PIRA. The document is lightly annotated.
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FROM: PUS
20 JUNE 1991
Copy no 3 of [3]
cc. Mr Deverell [2]
PS/SECRETARY OF STATE [1]
PRIME MINISTER'S MEETING WITH THE TAOISEACH: THE PROVISIONALS
I have consulted Sir Robin Butler about whether the Prime Minister should be offered either background briefing or a steering brief on the Provisionals against the unlikely prospect that the Taoiseach might spring a surprise suggestion of a joint message or declaration aimed at securing a ceasefire or a cessation of violence.
2. We agreed that he should not. There is no basis on the Butler/Nally (or our own) conversations for supposing this may be raised; if by any chance it were the Prime Minister would no doubt prefer to take counsel rather than respond at the time; and both the Secretary of State and Sir Robin Butler are fully aware of the principal elements of HMG's position:
(i) terrorism is crime;
(ii) we do not negotiate with, or have (direct) contacts with, terrorists;
(iii) the Provisionals know they must abandon violence if they are ever to be accepted into the constitutional democratic political process.
J A CHILCOT
20 JUNE 1991