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Writing Peace: George J. Mitchell Collection

Record of informal discussion on procedural guidelines and agenda for plenary session on 18 June 1996 at 19.05

Wednesday, 19 June 1996

i24733

This document contains the summary record of the informal discussion on procedural guidelines and the agenda for the plenary session that took place on 18 June 1996. Seamus Mallon began by stating that the matter of the installation of the Chairmen was a settled matter. Michael Ancram noted that items 1 to 4 had already been dealt with in the plenary, and this was contested by Robert McCartney, who noted that the UUP had been coerced into consenting to the installation of the Chairman under threat of the prospect of the talks' collapse. With reference to paragraphs 5-9, David Trimble appreciated the reference to impartiality while the Peter Robinson suggested that the term "consultations" be replaced with "agreement". Trimble, Robinson and McCartney also took issue with the implications of the reference to "majority of participating political parties" in paragraph 27. They noted that not all parties had received the same electoral mandate and so they could not be considered equal. Gary McMichael, Bronagh Hinds and Mark Durkan argued in favour of the provision, noting that it allowed the smaller parties to participate in the talks process more effectively. Quentin Thomas suggested that the provision in paragraph 27 should be made into a third test of sufficient consensus and the Durkan resisted applying a specific definition or quota to "clear majority". Sean O'hUiggin recommended that the "clear" in "clear majority" be replaced with a different word, and also that the matter be left for reflection. On paragraphs 31-34, Trimble and McCartney contested the existing strand 3 structure on the basis that it excluded the parties. Thomas, O'hUiggin and Durkan defended the structure in the paper, commenting that it had provisions for issues to be brought back to the parties. McCartney also alleged that the unionist people were not privy to information that the Governments shared with each other, which is why they were distrustful of them. The Chairman requested UUP for an alternative text for paragraphs 31-34 for consideration of the delegations. Subsequently, the Chairman, with agreement of the parties, adjourned the meeting till 10.00 the next days and noted that he would circulate a new document with all the changes as discussed.

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