A PROPOSAL FROM THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS, 25 JULY 1996
1. It is common ground hat all participants wish to see the maximum possible progress before the summer recess. The two Governments have considered how this could best be facilitated.
2. The Opening Plenary session must complete the following points:
(a) adoption of the rules of procedure;
(b) establishment of the Business Committee;
(c) consideration of the International Body's proposals on decommissioning, including agreement on the mechanism necessary to enable further progress to be made on decommissioning alongside negotiations in the three strands;
(d) discussion and adoption of the comprehensive agenda for the negotiations;
(e) opening statements; and
(f) the launch of the three-sided negotiations in parallel with the establishment of the agreed machinery to carry forward work on decommissioning.
3. With a view to achieving the desired progress\, the two governments believe that the Opening Plenary should aim to complete its work on points (a) to (d) before the summer break.
4. We welcome the independent Chairmen's decision to publish draft rules of procedure reflecting their best judgement of what is likely to prove acceptable to all delegations. We support these proposals.
5. In order to assist further progress in the negotiations\, we attach a draft agenda for the reminder of the Opening Plenary for the consideration of the parties.
6. We propose that the agenda and the rules of procedure be agreed and formally adopted by the reconvened Opening Plenary on Monday 29 July.
7. We believe that it should be possible to reach agreement on the proposed rules of procedure and agenda relatively quickly. We support the proposal that the draft rules on decision making should be agreed first.
8. We would also propose\, with a view to preparing the ground for the next week's work in the Plenary\, that the relevant participants should be invited to forward to the Chairmen of the relevant strands by 6 pm on Monday 29 July\, any written additions or amendments proposed to the attached draft agendas for the three strand. (The draft agenda for Strand One issues is tabled by the British Government alone.)
9. Following ratifications of the rules of procedure and the agenda for the Opening Plenary\, the reconvened Plenary meeting would proceed to work through the remainder of its agenda\, beginning with the establishment of the business committee\, before moving on to consideration of the International Body's proposals on decommissioning.
10. We also take the view that\, before rising for the summer break\, the Plenary should consider any proposals on the agendas\, if necessary in sub-committee\, and proceed to the adoption of the comprehensive agenda for the negotiations.
11. Following adoption of the comprehensive agenda\, we would propose that the Opening Plenary should be adjourned until 9 September\, and reconvene with opening statements\, followed\, not later than 16 September\, by the launch of the negotiations in the three strands in parallel with the establishment of the agreed machinery to carry forward work on decommissioning.
