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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. Tuesday, 05 October 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 21590: 1993-10-05 12:00:00

[Exact time unknown] Jonathan Stephens wrote to Roderic Lyne enclosing a speaking note for John Major's use during a meeting scheduled with Jim Molyneaux during the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool.

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

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Resource Items (4):

Covering Letter from Tony Beeton to Roderic Lyne Enclosing a Speaking Note for John Major - (file)

Summary of advice given from the Northern Ireland Office to John Major concerning a planned meeting with Jim Molyneaux of the UUP, with Unionists concerned about potential British involvement in a recent joint statement from John Hume and Gerry Adams.

Enclosure: Speaking Note for John Major for a Meeting with Jim Molyneaux in October 1993 - (file)

Speaking note provided for John Major with the intention of reassuring Jim Molyneaux and the UUP that the British government was uninvolved in recent discussions between John Hume and Gerry Adams. Firm on the British position of non-engagement with violent actors. Reaffirms British common interest with the people of Northern Ireland and commitment to their democratic wishes regarding the union. References the protection of this principle by the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement, limiting the powers of the Irish government.

Enclosure: Speaking Note for Meeting between John Major and Jim Molyneaux - (file)

The Prime Minster is briefed to give Molyeaux a clear assurance that John Hume has not been activing on behalf of the government in his meetings with Gerry Adams. He also is to hint at a possiblilty of ending violence in Northern Ireland an that explains why they have been in contact with Hume. The consent principle should also be stated clearly. Ian Paisley should not be briefed.

Letter to Roderic Lyne Regarding a Meeting between John Major and Jim Molyneaux - (file)

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Patrick Mayhew had already met with Jim Molyneaux on the 4 October 1993 and Stephens reports that the Unionist movement had reacted badly to a joint statement made by John Hume and Gerry Adams. Beeton encloses a speaking note that the Prime Minister might wish to use in his meeting.

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