Downing Street Decloration 1993 Flashcards
What was the Humes-Adam’s initiative?
Talks began as early as 1988. Hume believed that peace could be achieved if the IRA were persuaded to give up their weapons and work through the political party, Sinn Fein. Humes also said that the British Government need to try and make it possible for the IRA to give up its guns
What was the Principle of Consent?
Gerry Adam’s accepted that the main reason partition remained was because the majority of unionists in NI supported it and opposed the idea of a United Ireland. Adam’s realised that there would have to be a unionist agreement for a united ireland and therefore would have to be persuaded that it was a good thing.
What did the declaration state?
That the people of Ireland had the right to self-determination, but NI would stay part of the UK as long as the majority of its citizens wanted this. It also includes the principle of consent
How did the declaration give something to both sides?
NI would remain partitioned from the rest of Ireland until the majority decides otherwise - unionists always demanded this.
The republic would have any say in any future settlement- something republicans had always wanted
Aftermath of the declaration?
Jan 1994 - republicans unsure if they liked it.
Jan 1994 - Bill Clinton grants Gerry Adams a US visa allowing him to meet Irish-American groups.
Aug 1994 - PIRA call a ‘complete cessation of military activities.
Oct 1994 - Combined Loyalist Military command issue their own ceasefire.
Feb 1996 - end of PIRA ceasefire following bombing at Canary Wharf in London as they were not happy about progress being made over Sinn Fein inclusion talks
