This document contains a briefing, dated 16 July 1996, written by Secretary of State Patrick Mayhew's Private Secretary Martin Howard, to British Prime Minister John Major's Private Secretary John Holmes, for Major's meeting with the SDLP [Social and Democratic Labour Party] on 17 July 1996. Howard wrote that Major should anticipate expressions of anger and disillusionment from the SDLP and listed the objectives of the meeting, which included reassuring the SDLP about the British Government's impartiality and encouraging them to engage with the peace talks constructively. Howard offered an overview of the perceptions of nationalists regarding the events that took place at Drumcree, and the doubts that nationalists had begun to foster with respect to the peace process. Howard recommended that Major should soak up the recriminations relating to Drumcree, reaffirm the Govenment's desire to work closely with the Irish Government, and emphasise the need to make progress in the talks.
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