This document includes the Secretary of State's expected response to parliamentary questions regarding nominations for the forthcoming political negotiations and the progress in establishing the forum. He confirmed that invitations to nominate teams for the negotiations had been issued to representatives of several parties. Mayhew emphasized that, according to section 2(3) of the Act, he must refrain from inviting nominations from any party that does not meet the requirements outlined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Ground Rules for substantive multi-party talks. Specifically, paragraph 9 stipulates that Sinn Féin's participation is contingent upon the unequivocal restoration of the August 1994 ceasefire. After consulting with the Irish Government, both governments agreed that Sinn Féin had not met this requirement, and thus, no invitation was issued to them. However, letters were sent to all parties, including Sinn Féin, regarding arrangements for the forum, including a draft of initial rules of procedure and the location of the forum at the Interpoint Centre in Belfast.
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