[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"DRAFT RECORD OF OPENING PLENARY SESSION - WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 1996 (12.03)"},{"insert":"\n\nThose present:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Independent Chairmen"},{"insert":"\nSenator Mitchell\nGeneral de Chastelain\nMr Holkeri\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Government Teams"},{"insert":"\nBritish Government\nIrish Government\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Parties"},{"insert":"\nAlliance Party\nLabour Party\nNorthern Ireland Women's Coalition\nProgressive Unionist Party\nSocial Democratic and Labour Party\nUlster Democratic Party\nUlster Democratic Unionist Party\nUnited Kingdom Unionist Party\nUlster Unionist Party\n\n1. At 12.03 the "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" convened a meeting of the Plenary session and indicated that pursuant to the request made prior to the adjournment of the previous Plenary, it was now his intention to make a brief report to the meeting which consisted of two parts. The first part of the report would deal with the commitments to the Mitchell Principles from those parties who had not given that commitment at the same time as their colleagues during the previous week. The second would feature an update on discussions focusing on agreeing the rules of procedure and finalising an agenda for the Opening Plenary session.\n\n2. The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" then indicated that during the course of an informal meeting chaired by himself in the late morning of Wednesday 12 June, the DUP and the UKUP confirmed their total and absolute commitment specifically to the principles of democracy and non-violence as set out in para 20 of the Report of the International Body. The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" went on to indicate that this took place in the presence of delegations representing parties who had already signified their commitment to these Principles at a Plenary meeting earlier that same day.\n\n3. The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" commented on the on-going discussions regarding the rules of procedure and proposals for the agenda for the Opening Plenary. A significant amount of work had already been put in by the delegations on these issues and he believed considerable progress had been made thus far. The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" however indicated that a position had not yet been reached where a recommendation on either of these issues could be put forward to the Plenary. Further informal discussions were required to resolve some outstanding points. The Chairman then asked for any comments from the meeting on the content of the report. There were no comments at this stage. The "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chairman"},{"insert":" then adjourned the Plenary session at 12.06 and thanked everyone for attending.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Independent Chairmen Notetakers"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"19 June 1996"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"OIC/PS1"},{"insert":"\n"}]
