This project models the series of formal and informal negotiations which led to the publication, in December 1993, of a declaration issued jointly by the British and Irish Governments. The Joint Declaration was a critical policy document which paved the way for a ceasefire and the entry of Sinn Féin into formal talks. It also laid out a shared set of principles – including, crucially, self-determination for the people of Ireland subject to the consent of the people of Northern Ireland – which would come to underpin the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and provide a framework for its ratification.
This committee has been created to model internal British Government documents and meetings.
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[Exact time unknown] Watkins wrote a minute to Quinn following the Liaison Group meeting on 1 October 1993 providing for further work to be done in advance of the next meeting. Tony Beeton drafted a letter to Roderic Lyne enclosing the briefing material for John Major's upcoming meeting with Jim Molyneaux. Patrick Mayhew received several documents for his upcoming interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
Membership (at session start):
Michael Ancram, Kenneth Baker, Tony Beeton, David Blatherwick, John Blelloch, Ian Burns, Robin Butler, John Chilcot, David Cooke, Jim Daniell, Timothy Daunt, John Deverell, William Fittall, David Gillmore, Christopher Glyn-Jones, Richard Gozney, Douglas Hurd, Roderic Lyne, John Major, Jonathan Margetts, Peter May, Patrick Mayhew, John McConnell, David McIlroy , Danny McNeill, R. O. Miles, Anthony Pawson, Christopher Prentice , Stephen Rickard, A W Stephens, Jonathan Stephens, Quentin Thomas, Stephen Wall (33 total)
Representing 1 delegations:
No imported or exported documents
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Resource Items (8):
This is relation to Patrick Mayhew's upcoming interview with Paul Goodman and so the enclosed minute is a brief on what lines to try and take from Caine.
This is a draft of the letter eventually sent on the 5 October 1993.
This is a draft of the speaking note eventually sent by Jonathan Stephens to Roderic Lyne.
The issues covered are self-determination, the chances of future talks with the Irish Government and other players, the ruling out of joint sovereignty, the government's stance on a long term goal of a united Ireland, and loyalist violence.
Beeton sets out what Mayhew line should be on self-determination and how much the government knows about the Humes/Adams talks. These lines are brief and are more developed in the enclosed "lines to take" document.
Beeton sets out some brief points that the Prime Minister might want to raise at a meeting with Jim Molyneaux. These echo a speaker note that Stephens later sent to Roderic Lyne for the Prime Minsters use. Indeed, the enclosed draft letter is very similar to Stephens' letter as is the speaker.
Two pieces of work to judge future counter-proposals/refinements in preparation for a meeting of the Liaison group 14/10/1993. Full minute cof the meeting on 1/10/1993 circulated separately
Butler had met Seán Ó hUiginn previously where they discussed the Irish side's stance on JD9 and what they view as the next steps. They then turn to the specifics of JD9 and what changes the Irish might have made, or might make further.
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