Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)

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.

British Government

This committee has been created to model internal British Government documents and meetings.

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Session 21032: 1993-10-13 11:00:00

[Exact time unknown] Cooke wrote a message addressing the second point of Watkins' minute of 1 October 1993. Tony Beeton wrote to Jonathan Stephens enclosing several documents regarding a meeting with the Prime Minister. David Fell met the journalist Eamonn Mallie for lunch.

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Draft Notes for Patrick Mayhew Regarding his 14 October 1993 Meeting with Prime Minister John Major - (file)

This is a handwritten note with unclear authorship. The subject and wording of the notes mirror a speaking note sent by Tony Beeton for Patrick Mayhew suggesting this could be an earlier draft. It certainly concerns JD12 and is unfinished, which further suggests that this later became the speaking note mentioned above.

Enclosure: Annex A – Background on the Joint Declaration Initiative - (file)

This document, written by Tony Beeton, provides a background on the Joint Declaration initiative for the use of John Major to brief any minister in the British Government. It outlines the important features of the JD12, including the clauses on self-determination, constitutional guarantee and consent of the people of Northern Ireland. The Irish Government was optimistic that the statement would encourage the Provisionals to declare a permanent ceasefire and believed it aligned with the ongoing talks. However, the British Government expressed concerns that it might heighten unionist suspicions. Beeton noted that the advantage of the current draft for the British Government was that it committed it to very little change in its existing public position. The document concludes by discussing how to integrate a reiteration of the constitutional guarantee into the text of the Declaration.

Enclosure: Annex B – A Brief History of the Joint Declaration Initiative - (file)

This document provides a comprehensive account of the Joint Declaration initiative, beginning with its inception during a meeting between John Major and then Taoiseach Charles Haughey on 4 December 1991. It follows the evolution of the initiative, including discussions between John Hume and Gerry Adams, which led the Irish Government to believe that it could pave the way for PIRA to declare a permanent ceasefire. The document tracks the various discussions and drafts exchanged, particularly through channels involving Dermot Nally on the Irish side and Robin Butler on the British side.

Enclosure: Annex C – Suggested Sequence of Events for the Joint Declaration Initiative - (file)

This document sets out the possible outcomes and next steps of talks depending on the reaction to the current draft JD12.

Enclosure: Speaking Note for Patrick Mayhew's Meeting with John Major on 14 October 1993 - (file)

This speaking note was prepared by Tony Beeton for Patrick Mayhew's use for his meeting with John Major on 14 October 1993. It recommends that, provided the Irish Government accepted their proposed amendments to the text, the British Government go ahead with the Joint Declaration Initiative. It also describes how and why they needed to show the text of the Declaration along with the proposed amendment to James Molyneaux, and what the next steps of the Initiative would entail. The document is also heavily annotated with notes in pencil, although the identity of the annotator is uncertain.

Minute from Tony Beeton to Jonathan Stephens Regarding a Meeting between Patrick Mayhew and John Major - (file)

This minute provides a summary of the issues that were on the agenda for the meeting between Patrick Mayhew and Prime Minister John Major on 14 October 1993. It elaborates on the course of action that was required for each issue, including that of briefing James Molyneaux as well as other members of the British Government apparatus about the Joint Initiative. Another important action point was fixing the timeline for PIRA's cessation of violence. Beeton also notes that they were going to seek clarification from the Irish Government about the next steps of the initiative, specifically regarding the proposed Convention and preparation of press lines. The document encloses speaking notes for Mayhew, two annexes dealing with the background and history of the Joint Declaration, and a further annex that details the possible outcomes and next steps of the Initiative.


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