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]
Membership (at session start):
Michael Ancram, Kenneth Baker, Tony Beeton, David Blatherwick, John Blelloch, Ian Burns, Robin Butler, John Chilcot, Ken Clarke, David Cooke, Jim Daniell, Timothy Daunt, John Deverell, David Fell, William Fittall, David Gillmore, Christopher Glyn-Jones, Richard Gozney, Michael Howard, 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, Malcolm Rifkind , A W Stephens, Jonathan Stephens, Quentin Thomas, Stephen Wall (37 total)
Representing 1 delegations:
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Resources (9):
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Resource Items (9):
Key point is British insistence on the constitutional guarantee despite Irish improvements to JDI text. Actions moving forwards are to test how much of a constitutional guarantee Molyneaux requires and how much the Irish government will stomach. Expressed need to blame the Provisionals if JDI collapses. Other points to make include an assessment that a Provisional cessation would lead to a total cessation and a discussion of how to enforce/how far to push them RE amnesties, weapon dumps etc.
Letter notes difficult context to Joint Declaration Initiative of closely related Adams/Hume proposals made public on 25 September 1993. British difficulty with current, improved, Irish JD text is the absence of a reference to the constitutional guarantee to the majority consent principle.
Letter suggests John Major's approach for the meeting including points to make about the JDI including the British assessment of the PIRA's willingness to cease violence.
Copy of Joint Declaration to be shown during John Major's upcoming meeting with Jim Molyneaux
Text contains the amplification of the constitutional guarantee (for testing on the Irish government) in paragraph 4. Text intented as the basis for discussion at upcoming Cabinet meeting.
British tone is to reassure Molyneaux about the limits of the JDI, that the Provisionals have not been involved in its creation, and that the military context (based on British intelligence reports) suggests a real possibility of peace. Tone expresses British admiration towards Molyneaux.
Letter attaches a briefing and a JDI draft including a reference to the constitutional guarantee and an optional amplification of this guarantee in square brackets. The two versions of the texts will be tested on Jim Molyneaux and the Irish
Letter enclosing a draft letter from the British to the Irish Governments, to be sent if a meeting scheduled for 18th October 1993 between John Major and Jim Molyneaux leads to unionist acceptance of the JDI.
Fax encloses draft letter to Roderic Lyne with attached materials for John Major's attention ahead of his meeting with Jim Molyneaux about the Joint Declaration.
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