9.12.04
Guardian
What two sides had laid on the table
Thursday December 9, 2004
The Guardian
The British and Irish governments yesterday attempted to push negotiations in Northern Ireland forward by publishing documents that would have been released if a deal had been reached.
The joint document gives terms of the agreement, and the timetable. It includes draft statements from the IRA, Sinn Féin, DUP, and the decommissioning body, the IICD. This latter text, how it would verify destruction of weapons, was the point of dispute.
Dublin also issued statements that would have been released by Sinn Féin. One was headed: A Defining Point in the Peace Process.
It said: "For the first time in the history of this state, all of the political parties are willing to work together in agreed political structures and arrangements. This is truly a watershed moment in the history of this island."
Introduction
The document makes it clear that a deal was nearly reached: "A basis for agreement has now been reached on the key issues ... the need to bring all forms of paramilitary activity to an end; the need to decommission all paramilitary weapons; the need for a clear commitment on all sides to the stability of the political institutions; and for the achievement of support for policing from all sides of the community.
"All of these issues have been addressed satisfactorily. There is now a basis on which we can look forward to the early restoration of the Assembly, with the prospect of stable and inclusive power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and the full operation of the North-South and East-West arrangements."
Decommissioning
"We are confident steps will now be taken to provide for an immediate, full and permanent cessation of all paramilitary activity by the IRA," the document says, describing the potential deal as "monumental".
Political institutions
The document outlines the "earliest possible" resumption of devolution next year.
· This month the government would have created a "shadow assembly" to revive devolution. "This shadow period will take effect on the completion of IRA decommissioning, at the beginning of January."
· In February suspension of proper assembly would end.
IRA statement
"The IRA is determined to support this comprehensive agreement. This creates the conditions for the IRA to move into a new mode that reflects its determination to see the transition to a totally peaceful society brought to a successful conclusion.
"Consistent with this and recognising the need to uphold and not to endanger anyone's personal rights and safety, all IRA volunteers have given specific instructions not to engage in any activity which might thereby endanger the new agreement.
"We have also made it clear that the IRA leadership will, in this new context, conclude the process to completely and verifiably put all its arms beyond use. Accordingly the IRA leadership has agreed with the IICD to complete this process in a way which further enhances public confidence and to conclude this by the end of December."
DUP statement
"Following confirmation ... that IRA paramilitary activity of all kinds has ended we will operate and participate in all the new arrangements
"... We urge paramilitary groups within the Unionist community, in the light of moves by the Provisional IRA, to engage positively with the IICD to remove all illegal weapons from our society and to end all paramilitary and criminal activity. The DUP is a devolutionist party and wants policing and justice powers devolved just as soon as conditions permit. Inter-community conflict still exists and people are being displaced from and attacked in their homes and districts, particularly along the boundary of interface areas. We want action to tackle all sectarianism, racism and intolerance and seek agreements for a bill of rights in Northern Ireland."
What two sides had laid on the table
Thursday December 9, 2004
The Guardian
The British and Irish governments yesterday attempted to push negotiations in Northern Ireland forward by publishing documents that would have been released if a deal had been reached.
The joint document gives terms of the agreement, and the timetable. It includes draft statements from the IRA, Sinn Féin, DUP, and the decommissioning body, the IICD. This latter text, how it would verify destruction of weapons, was the point of dispute.
Dublin also issued statements that would have been released by Sinn Féin. One was headed: A Defining Point in the Peace Process.
It said: "For the first time in the history of this state, all of the political parties are willing to work together in agreed political structures and arrangements. This is truly a watershed moment in the history of this island."
Introduction
The document makes it clear that a deal was nearly reached: "A basis for agreement has now been reached on the key issues ... the need to bring all forms of paramilitary activity to an end; the need to decommission all paramilitary weapons; the need for a clear commitment on all sides to the stability of the political institutions; and for the achievement of support for policing from all sides of the community.
"All of these issues have been addressed satisfactorily. There is now a basis on which we can look forward to the early restoration of the Assembly, with the prospect of stable and inclusive power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and the full operation of the North-South and East-West arrangements."
Decommissioning
"We are confident steps will now be taken to provide for an immediate, full and permanent cessation of all paramilitary activity by the IRA," the document says, describing the potential deal as "monumental".
Political institutions
The document outlines the "earliest possible" resumption of devolution next year.
· This month the government would have created a "shadow assembly" to revive devolution. "This shadow period will take effect on the completion of IRA decommissioning, at the beginning of January."
· In February suspension of proper assembly would end.
IRA statement
"The IRA is determined to support this comprehensive agreement. This creates the conditions for the IRA to move into a new mode that reflects its determination to see the transition to a totally peaceful society brought to a successful conclusion.
"Consistent with this and recognising the need to uphold and not to endanger anyone's personal rights and safety, all IRA volunteers have given specific instructions not to engage in any activity which might thereby endanger the new agreement.
"We have also made it clear that the IRA leadership will, in this new context, conclude the process to completely and verifiably put all its arms beyond use. Accordingly the IRA leadership has agreed with the IICD to complete this process in a way which further enhances public confidence and to conclude this by the end of December."
DUP statement
"Following confirmation ... that IRA paramilitary activity of all kinds has ended we will operate and participate in all the new arrangements
"... We urge paramilitary groups within the Unionist community, in the light of moves by the Provisional IRA, to engage positively with the IICD to remove all illegal weapons from our society and to end all paramilitary and criminal activity. The DUP is a devolutionist party and wants policing and justice powers devolved just as soon as conditions permit. Inter-community conflict still exists and people are being displaced from and attacked in their homes and districts, particularly along the boundary of interface areas. We want action to tackle all sectarianism, racism and intolerance and seek agreements for a bill of rights in Northern Ireland."
