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SUMMARY RECORD OF PLENARY SESSION -
MONDAY 12 JANUARY 1998 (1625)
Those present:
INDEPENDENT CHAIRMEN
Senator Mitchell
Mr Holkeri
General de Chastelain
GOVERNMENT TEAMS
British Government
Irish Government
PARTIES
Alliance
Labour
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
Progressive Unionist Party
Sinn Fein
Social Democratic & Labour Party
Ulster Democratic Party
Ulster Unionist Party
1. _The Chairman_ convened the meeting at 1625 and stated that the sole purpose of the session\, which had been established by the Business Committee earlier that day\, was to table the document prepared by the two Governments entitled "Propositions on the Heads of Agreement".
2. Before moving to this business\, _the Chairman_\, speaking on behalf of his co-chairmen\, said all were pleased to be back with the process and grateful that all participants had also returned despite the difficult interim period for everyone concerned. With this m mind _the Chairman_ offered\, on behalf of everyone involved m the process\, sincere condolences to all the victims and their relatives who had suffered during the Christmas and New Year period. _The Chairman_ said he hoped everyone's presence signalled a resolve to deal with the important issues which were the subject matter of the talks.
General John de Chastelain Senator George J. Mitchell Prime Minister Harri Holkeri
3. _The Chairman_ said he understood that the Business Committee had recommended that a discussion on the Governments' "propositions on Heads of Agreement" paper be scheduled for 1400 on Tuesday 13 January. Furthermore since this arrangement now displaced a previously arranged meeting of the liaison sub-committee on Confidence Building Measures\, the latter would now take place at 1100 on 13 January. _The Chairman_ asked whether there was any disagreement with this revised schedule. Hearing none\, he moved on.
4. _The Chairman_ said that with respect to the paper presented by both Governments\, which was now formally tabled\, he wished to put forward the view that everyone should exercise caution and judgement in making any public comments on the document. Undoubtedly participants would be questioned by the media but it ad to be remembered that the talks process was at an important stage and he hoped such comments would not preclude serious discussions the following day. _The Chairman_ said that since the meeting was called to table the Government's paper and this had been done\, he asked whether there were any comments from the participants.
5. Sinn Fein said it hadn't\, as yet\, had an opportunity to study the Governments' paper since it had only just received its copy. It was however\, the party's view that the two Governments had to take a lead with the negotiations. _Sinn Fein_ said it would be participating fully and bringing its own analysis to the discussion tomorrow and would be seeking further clarification from the Governments in areas where it felt this was required. _The Chairman_ noted Sinn Fein's comments and asked whether there were any other comments from participants.
6. _Alliance_ asked the Governments about their intention with public handling of the document\, recognising that the rules permitted participants who produced papers to decide themselves about releasing the contents to the media. _The British Government_ said the intention was to make public the proposal shortly without any detailed comments. _The Irish Government_ said a press release would be issued covering the joint proposal. _The UUP_ asked whether it was possible for the press release to be distributed to the participants. _The British Government_ said this would be done.
7. The Chairman\, on hearing no further comments\, said he would adjourn the session. Before moving to this\, he reminded participants about the revised schedule of meetings for the week and repeated what he had said earlier regarding public comment on the document and the fragility of the process at the present time _The Chairman_ added that a correspondingly high level of responsibility rested on the shoulders of the participants with regard to making progress in the process for all the people of Northern Ireland. This was the concluding phase of the process there would be no further breaks. He hoped that this final series Of negotiations could start in a spirit which was positive\, thereby in due course helping to achieve a peaceful accommodation for all the people of Northern Ireland. With these comments _the Chairman_ adjourned the meeting at 1634 until 1400 on 13 January.
Independent Chairmen Notetakers
14 January 1998
OIC/ps88
