CONFIDENTIAL
From: Independent Chairmen Notetakers 27 June 1996
SUMMARY RECORD OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES AND AGENDA FOR PLENARY SESSION - WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 1996 (17.47)
Those present:
Independent Chairmen
Senator Mitchell
General De Chastelain
Mr Holkeri
Government Teams
British Government
Irish Government
Parties
Alliance Party
Labour Party
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
Progressive Unionist Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Ulster Democratic Party
Ulster Democratic Unionist Party
United Kingdom Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
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1. At 17.47 the _Chairman_ reconvened the meeting and stated that earlier discussions had covered all but the last section of the draft rules of procedure. He suggested that this section be completed but before doing so he wished to put a proposal to the participants.
2. The _Chairman_ commented that he believed considerable progress had been made during the day in agreeing to many of the paragraphs\, numerically at least\, of the draft rules of procedure. This had included some amendments proposed prior to and during the business thus far for that day. He therefore proposed that it might be helpful if his staff prepared a further update on the rules\, reflecting today's decisions\, for future discussion on the subject. He asked whether this was agreeable. There were no comments from the participants. The _Chairman_ took this as everyone agreeing and stated that he would try to have the document to delegations by the next day.
3. The _Chairman_ also commented that he didn't believe it would take long to get through the last remaining section since there had only been one substantive objection/point raised on it earlier in the day. He therefore proposed that his staff would work to prepare two documents for the following day which could then be distributed to delegations. Document 1 would be the update of the draft rules; document 2 would be a composite paper reflecting input sought from all the delegations earlier in the day on the status of the Ground Rules. The _Chairman_ indicated his intention to have both these documents with the delegations by 09.30, allow 90 minutes to review them and convene a further informal meeting at 11.00. Bearing in mind remarks made earlier, he proposed that this session would. then run continuously until a conclusion at 15.00 (with perhaps a small break in the middle if required). The _Chairman_ asked for comments on this approach.
4. _Mr Robinson_ stated that he was content with this provided eating arrangements were sufficient prior to 11.00 to enable participants to keep going through to 15.00. The _Chairman_ commented he would try to ensure that arrangements would be organised in line with Mr Robinson's point. _Mr Thomas_ for the British Government supported the Chairman's proposal.
5. The _Chairman_ then turned to paras 35-37 of the draft rules of procedure. He reminded participants that earlier in the day _Mr Robinson_ had queried the need for para 37. He asked whether anyone had any objection to the deletion of this paragraph. On hearing none the _Chairman_ indicated that this section of the rules would now contain two paragraphs - namely 35 and 36. That being the case\, he stated\, there was no further need for deliberation in this session.
6. _Dr Paisley_ asked that if there was a delay in the documents being distributed in the morning would the 11.00 start time remain. The _Chairman_ indicated that if the documents arrived before 10.00 then 11.00 would be the start time. If they arrived later then a minimum of 60 minutes would be applied between distribution and a meeting being convened.
7. The _Chairman_ asked for any further comments. On hearing none he adjourned the meeting at 17.57.
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[Signed]
Independent Chairmen Notetakers
27 June 1996
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OIC/25
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