This memo, sent by Charles Powell to Anthony Pawson, notes that John Major wanted to discuss the possibility of a PIRA ceasefire with Peter Brooke, as explored in Brooke's minute of 30 January 1991. Powell underlined that Major was sceptical about PIRA's desire and ability to deliver a ceasefire, and whether the British Government should have any role in it. The document contains a short annotated list of recipients.
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4 February 1991
[Dear Tony,]
POLITICAL MOVEMENT AND THE PROVISIONALS
The Prime Minister has pondered on your Secretary of State's minute of 30 January about the possibility that PIRA/Sinn Fein may seriously be contemplating an alternative to violence. He would like to discuss it with Mr Brooke and we will be in touch to arrange a time. A decision on whether to circulate the minute more widely can be taken in the light of that meeting.
I should add that the Prime Minister is deeply sceptical about whether PIRA want a cease-fire, whether Adams et al would be able to deliver it, and whether we would be justified in paying any price at all for it. He has difficulty in envisaging what the 'imaginative response' might be. He regards the sort of statement envisaged by John Hume (last sentence of para. 5) as well beyond the bounds of what we could accept.
(C. D. POWELL)
Tony Pawson, Esq.,
Northern Ireland Office.