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  1. Overview: Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)
  2. Full Record: Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)
  3. Committee:British Government
  4. Wednesday, 29 September 1993, at 12:00

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

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Session 21452: 1993-09-29 12:00:00

[Exact time unknown] Tony Beeton wrote to Quentin Thomas and Jonathan Stephens enclosing a speaking note for a meeting between Patrick Mayhew and John Major and notes on the text of JD8. Quentin Thomas forwarded the briefing to Robin Butler.

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:

British Government

No imported or exported documents

Resources (4):

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None

Resource Items (4):

Enclosure: Comment by Tony Beeton on Joint Declaration (JD8) - (file)

Commentary from Tony Beeton on draft 8 of the Joint Declaration to accompany the recommendations made in the speaking note. Difficulties surround Irish government's continued inclusion of a European element in paragraph 2, and the tilt towards seeing Ireland as an entity at the expense of the British dimension in paragraph 3. Paragraph 5 is read as a forward Irish position on consent, which acknowledges the Northern Irish right to self-determination. Paragraph 7 (about establishing an Irish Convention) is seen positively, aside from the implications of placing the convention under the authority of the Irish Constitution (in particular articles 2 and 3). Also circulated to other NIO and FCO diplomats including Jonathan Stephens and David Cooke.

Enclosure: Speaking Note for Patrick Mayhew at Meeting with John Major about the Joint Declaration Initiative - (file)

Speaking note provided for Patrick Mayhew. Context that British have previously been able to deny active involvement in the Joint Declaration drafting process but may now need to be more active. This may cause friction with Molyneaux/Unionists. Assertion that the prize of peace is worth this risk and British officials should be brouht actively into the drafting process.

Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler Enclosing a Briefing for Patrick Mayhew to Be Given to Him the Next Day - (file)

Gloss of an enclosed briefing note (written by Tony Beeton from the office of the Northern Ireland Secretary) sent to Robin Butler by Quentin Thomas. Thomas requests advice on what level of personal involvement in upcoming Dublin meetings with the Irish government would be appropriate for him.

Letter from Tony Beeton to Quentin Thomas and Jonathan Stephens Enclosing a Speaking Note for Patrick Mayhew and Commmenting on the Latest Joint Declaration Draft - (file)

Letter from Tony Benton to Quentin Thomas providing a summary of recent developments and statement of the British conviction that a suitably amended Joint Declaration would be an acceptable price for peace. Beeton notes Mayhew's position that the Irish government should be offered discreet drafting assistance.

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