This document records a briefing, dated 16 July 1996, drafted by Private Secretary John Holmes for British Prime Minister John Major in advance of his meeting with SDLP delegates on 17 July 1996. Holmes noted that the SDLP [Social and Democratic Labour Party] was feeling resentment over recent developments, including the elections, the state of the talks and the events that transpired at Drumcree. Nevertheless, despite their difficulties with the Unionists, they were willing to continue the talks with the hope that the procedural issues would get wrapped up before the commencement of the summer break. Holmes also outlined their plan for the talks the coming week, noting that [George] Mitchell would try to get agreement on a set of procedures, and bypass any resistance from the DUP [Democratic Unionist Party] and the UKUP [United Kingdom Unionist party] on the basis of 'sufficient consensus'. Holmes further noted that the SDLP were likely to raise questions about future handling of parades and marches, with the Apprentice Boys march planned for 13 August 1996.
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