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] Versions of the statement issuing from the 29 October 1993 meeting between Albert Reynolds and John Major in Brussels continued to be exchanged.
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:
No imported or exported documents
Resources (14):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (14):
Updated draft of the joint statement, with the word 'constitutional' removed from the first sentence of paragraph 7 the first time it occurs. Annotations added.
Updated draft of the joint statement, with the word 'constitutional' removed from the first sentence of paragraph 7 the first time it occurs.
Draft of the joint statement emerging from a discussion between John Major and Albert Reynolds
Enclosed letter enclosing a draft letter to be sent to all cabinet ministers with information about the agreed line followiung an upcoming Joint Statement from Albert Reynolds and John Major in Brussels.
Enclosed letter awaiting the signature of Alex Allan to be sent to all cabinet ministers and enclosing information about the agreed line followiung an upcoming Joint Statement from Albert Reynolds and John Major in Brussels.
Enclosed joint statement by John Major and Albert Reynolds.
Draft of the agreed text of the joint statement to be given by Albert Reynolds and John Major in Brussels in the evening of 29 October 1993
Enclosed lines to take following the joint statement by John Major and Albert Reynolds.
Annotated text of Joint Statement agreed by the British and Irish on the same day as the planned announcement to the press.
Letter from Roderic Lyne to Jonathan Stephens enclosing the text of an agreed Joint Statement and a schedule of steps leading up to its release. There are also some notes on management of the press and thoughts on how to handle the reaction of the constitutional actors, particularly Jim Molyneaux and the Unionists.
Fax enclosin a draft letter to Alex Allan asking him to sign another draft letter (also enclosed) to Cabinet Ministers. This second draft letter encloses briefing notes for cabinet ministers concerning an upcoming Joint Statement from John Major and Albert Reynolds.
Fax attaching a draft of the joint statement produced following discussions between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach. It contains an unresolved Irish suggestion and British counter-proposal in paragraph 5.
Quentin Thomas notifying other civil servants of a change to the joint statement text, and enclosing the amended text in full.
Fax from Quentin Thomas enclosing an agreed draft of the joint statement text. The fax contains details about how the document will be circulated and how the press will be managed.
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