Approach To Northern Ireland Flashcards
How did Clinton impact the developments with northern Ireland
-1995 Clinton visited NI supporting peace process
-paid tribute to those working towards settlement incl major + Gerry Adams
Who was Albert Reynolds
-Irish pm Feb 1992 to dec 1994
What did Reynolds do
-key player in peace process
-co-signatory with major to 1993 Downing Street declaration
What was the Downing Street declaration 1993
-Major wanted let NI decide + respect their decision where agreement ‘uphold democratic wish’
What was the Democratic wish
-greater number people of NI on issue of whether they wish to support union of est a united ireland
How did Dublin view the Downing Street declaration of 1993
-Dublin accepted that united ireland had to have a majority consent within NI
How was the Downing Street declaration achieved
-Major excellence relationship with Reynolds - Irish PM
-us pees Clinton proactively encouraged peace
What is an example of Clinton encouraging peace
-Clinton allowed Gerry Adams into USA - turning Sinn Fein away from armed struggle
-organised conferences to support peace process
How did Major view the actions of Clinton
-Major welcomed support of USA
-viewed it as helpful
How else was it achieved
-secret communications with the PIRA + Sinn Fein hinting readiness for peace agreement
-context of growing war weariness with peace rallies in london, Belfast + Dublin
Why was majors approach different to thatchers
-Major moved away from idea UK would always + should always incl NI
-willingness engage with armed Republican movement in interests of peace despite deep rooted hostility to br which was more pragmatic rather than ideological
What was the impact of the Downing Street declaration regarding what it led to
-led to ceasefire 1994 where PIRA declared ‘complete cessation of military operations’
-loyalists ceasefire 1994
-first time since 60s there as peace
How was the impact seen
-death toll dropped from 84 1993 to 9 1995
-ceasefire lasted 17 months
When did the ceasefire end
-after 17 months with Unionists not believing IRA commitment to peace
-followed by outbursts of violence from IRA 1996-98 incl the bombing of Canary Wharf 1996
What report was published in 1996
-the Mitchell report 1996
What was the Mitchell report
-US senator mitchell chaired international commission on Ireland with support of major
What did Mitchell do in this repot
-laid out set of principles on which a permanent peace process might be developed
What whisk this permanent peace process be centred on
-handover of weapons alongside talks - decommissioning
-principles of non-violence - all parties sign up to demonstrate their commitment to peace
