The Downing Street Declaration, 1993

• John Hume believed Sinn Fein could be persuaded to abandon the armed struggle
• Hume began secret talks with Adams in 1988
• In 1992 Sinn Féin published 'Towards a Lasting Peace'

  It announced a reduction in the armed struggle and development of self-determination. They wanted Britain to persuade unionists to accept a united Ireland. They wanted all Nationalist parties to unite.
• The Intergovernmental conference was suspended to encourage unionists to join talks
• A settlement in N.I. would involve

  1. Intercommunity relations
  2. North South Cooperation
  3. Intergovernmental negotiations
• In 1991 negotiations collapsed
• Gerry Adams lost his Belfast west seat to SDLP
• The DSD was made in December 1993
• Downing Street agreement

  • Britain would accept majority on issue of N.I. joining Ireland
  • Britain agreed only North and South could decide on self-determination
  • Britain had no selfish or economic interest in N.I.
  • Dublin accepted majority consent
  • Dublin agreed to make changes to Article II and III
  • London would not persuade unionists to accept united Ireland
• Sinn Fein Reactions

  Happy to self determination but believed unionists would be able to veto processes
• UUP reactions

  happy with qualifications made by Britain but upset with the green tinge
• DUP

  believed a United Ireland was close
• PIRA ceasefire happened the 31st August 1994
• Britain wanted to hear Sinn Fein call the ceasefire permanent
• Sinn Fein were upset they were not granted immediate access to talks
• America allowed Gerry Adams to enter the USA and organised conferences supporting peace and economic investment
• Taoiseach Reynolds shook hands with Hume and Adams a week after the ceasefire. The released 9 IRA men.
• Whenever Fine Gael came to power, the support crumbled as John Bruton disliked republicanism.
• The Framework document was made by Ireland and Britain in 1995
• Framework for an accountable government in N.I.

  This proposed a 90 member assembly with mechanisms to protect Nationalists.
• Framework for Agreement

  This was based around self-determination, consent, non-violence and parity for esteem. An N.I. and R.O.I. body would be formed. British Irish relations would be similar to the AIA
• Unionist reactions

  Saw too many similarities to Sunningdale. Hated N.I. and R.O.I. links.
• Sinn Fein reactions

  Believed unionists could veto precesses
• SDLP and Alliance

  Reacted positively to the framework document
• British Government were unhappy with lack of PIRA decommissioning.
• IRA ended ceasefire in February 1996 when they bombed London's Canary Wharf
• Mitchell commission was set up to look into decommissioning. They concluded parallel to decommissioning, talks should be taking place.
• The Mitchell omission suggest proposals of non violence parties could sign to show their commitment to peace
• Britain would not move peace talks forward as John Major required support of UUP to stay in office
• Unionist supported the Forum plan'
• Nationalists opposed the Forum plan.
• Nationalists put candidates forward for forum elections. SF announced they would boycott assembly.
• Support for DUP and SF increased
• Peace talks began in June 1996