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 meetings between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach.
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[Exact time unknown] John Major and Albert Reynolds met to discuss the Joint Declaration. Roderic Lyne and Martin Mansergh were also present. Both sides were concerned about the issue of balance, and Albert Reynolds criticised the line Roderic Lyne had taken with officials in the morning.
Membership (at session start):
John Major, Albert Reynolds (2 total)
Representing 2 delegations:
British Government , Irish Government
Imported Documents
Imported Amendments
Exported Documents
Exported Amendments
Resources (30):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (30):
Describes the objectives of the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds at the margins of the EC Summit and lays down the major points of discussion. Encloses a note with detailed points on the topics to be covered and another note with the text along with the amendments proposed by both sides.
Describes the objectives of the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds at the margins of the EC Summit and lays down the major points of discussion. Encloses a note with detailed points on the topics to be covered and another note with the text along with the amendments proposed by both sides.
Major is instructed to set out the date (14 December) that the British envisage for making a statement on the Declaration in London and that both would then make the actual statement the following day in their respective parliaments. He should also reiterate to Reynolds that the British are against announcing an Irish Convention, and prefer the term "forum".
Major is instructed to set out the date (14 December) that the British envisage for making a statement on the Declaration in London and that both would then make the actual statement the following day in their respective parliaments. He should also reiterate to Reynolds that the British are against announcing an Irish Convention, and prefer the term "forum". This draft contains more detail and subheadings when compared to a later draft.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative.
Major is instructed to set out the date (14 December) that the British envisage for making a statement on the Declaration in London and that both would then make the actual statement the following day in their repsective paraliaments. He should also reiterate to Reynolds that the British are against announcing an Irish Convention, and prefer the term "forum". This draft contains more detail and subheadings when compared to a later draft.
Major is instructed to set out the date (14 December) that the British envisage for making a statement on the Declaration in London and that both would then make the actual statement the following day in their respective parliaments. He should also reiterate to Reynolds that the British are against announcing an Irish Convention, and prefer the term "forum".
Encloses JD15 which emerged from the Butler/Nally group and JD15B which includes British proposed amendments and those from Jim Molyneaux. This note explains the various amendments in turn, from Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 and some specific phrasings that they have got rid of. Page 5 also includes a distribution list for the letter and its enclosed documents.
Enclosed JD15 which emerged from the Butler/Nally group and JD15A which includes British proposed amendments and those from Jim Molyneaux. This note explains the various amendments in turn, from Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 and some specific phrasings that they have got rid of.
Enclosed JD15 which emerged from the Butler/Nally group and JD15A which includes British proposed amendments and those from Jim Molyneaux. This note explains the various amendments in turn, from Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 and some specific phrasings that they have got rid of.
Encloses JD15 which emerged from the Butler/Nally group and JD15B which includes British proposed amendments and those from Jim Molyneaux. This note explains the various amendments in turn, from Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 10, 12 and some specific phrasings that they have got rid of. Page 5 also includes a distribution list for the letter and its enclosed documents.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative. Encloses the proposed text of JD15B with the British and Irish proposed amendments underlined, and the agreed text of the Joint Declaration with the provisionally agreed amendments.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative. Encloses the proposed text of the JD15 with the British and Irish proposed amendments underlined, and the agreed text of the Joint Declaration with the provisionally agreed amendments.
Joint statement released by both Governments on 29 October 1993.
Joint statement released by both Governments on 29 October 1993.
Sets out what the British response should be to the Irish Governments last minute draft changes to the Joint Declaration. British should stay firm on most of the issues as the note underlines "resist" at several points. It also contains some fallbacks if the Irish continue to push for certain changes. Note also contains some brief annotations and lines.
The meeting will discuss the last minute work towards the Joint Declaration, but it should be played down publicly by both sides. The letter lists five main points for discussion, which includes the text itself as well as wider logistical questions. Annex A deals with these practical questions, whilst Annex B sets out the textual problems and answers. Annex C contains a Joint Statement made in Brussels on the 29 October. It also gives a brief summary of the points raised in a meeting between Michael Ancram and Jim Molyneaux.
Text of the Joint Declaration with provisionally agreed amendments underlined.
Text of the Joint Declaration with provisionally agreed amendments underlined.
Text of the Joint Declaration with British proposed amendments underlined in unbroken line and Irish proposed amendments underlined with broken line.
The meeting will discuss the last minute work towards the Joint Declaration, but it should be played down publicly by both sides. The letter lists five main points for discussion, which includes the text itself as well as wider logistical questions. Annex A deals with these practical questions, whilst Annex B sets out the textual problems and answers. Annex C contains a Joint Statement made in Brussels on the 29 October. It also gives a brief summary of the points raised in a meeting between Michael Ancram and Jim Molyneaux.
The meeting should be played down publicly and should not be concerned with textual negotiations as the text has already been agreed. The only problem is the Irish Convention, which whilst removed from the text, continues to be an idea Albert Reynolds wishes to pursue. He also gives a brief summary of Michael Ancram's meeting with Jim Molyneaux. Enclosed is a draft note for the Prime Ministers use.
A written note on the first page indicates that this is a redraft by Quentin Thomas of David Cooke's draft letter. The meeting will discuss the last minute work towards the Joint Declaration, but it should be played down publicly by both sides. The letter lists five main points for discussion, which includes the text itself as well as wider logistical questions. Annex A deals with these practical questions, whilst Annex B sets out the textual problems and answers. Annex C contains a Joint Statement made in Brussels on the 29 October. It also gives a brief summary of the points raised in a meeting between Michael Ancram and Jim Molyneaux.
The key issue was recent drafts that in Reynolds view tilted the balance of the Joint Declaration text. Major came away from the meeting feeling that Reynolds might not even want to do it anymore. Nonetheless, they agreed arrangements.
Meeting was slightly tense due to the Irish having firmed their position, arguing that the balance of the Declaration was otherwise incorrect. The Prime Minster argued that the political environment was tricky, as Paisley was stirring up the Unionists. Nonetheless, they concluded by agreeing that they were close to reaching an finalised text, but the Taoiseach did seem more apprehensive.
Record of PM meeting with Taoiseach. Martin Mansergh and Roderic Lyne also present.
Record of PM meeting with Taoiseach. Martin Mansergh and Roderic Lyne also present.
Reports the discussions on the margins of the European Council between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach. Encloses a minute of these exchanges.
Overview of discussions in Brussels on 10/12/1993 and 11/12/1993. Provides a summary of the "upshot of the three meetings", mainly around relations with the Irish government. Letter encloses a more detailed account of the second meeting (filed below)
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