Ireland (7) - Downing Street Declaration Flashcards
What document did the Sinn Fein release in 1992 ?
Towards a lasting peace
Describe towards a lasting peace
it outlined the republican reduction in armed movements.It said that all Irish political parties should join together to achieve a constitutional change in Ireland.
What was the back channel ?
A private communications line between the republican leadership.
What were the three strands that had to be met if there was to be any settlement in NI ?
- inter community relations
- north-south cooperation
- intergovernmental negotiations
How was the initiative by 1991 ?
It was dead and buried. And the three strands collapsed
What were the results of the 1992 general election ?
Sinn Fein’s votes dropped and Gerry Adams lost his West Belfast seat
What did the Sinn Fein 1993 draft document say ?
It acknowledged that there had to be unionist consent to the future development of Ireland
When was the Downing Street Declaration Created ?
December 1993
What were the key terms to the downing street declaration ?
- London agreed that they supported what the majority of people wanted to do in NI (At the time it was to remain a part of the UK)
- Dublin accepted that a united Ireland had to have majority consent within Northern Ireland
What were Sinn Fein’s views on the DDS ?
Sinn Fein stated that while it was glad to see Britain accepting self-determination, the Declaration still gave unionists too much power
What was the UUP reaction to the DDS?
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was comforted by parts of the Declaration - however, it was unhappy with what it thought was its bias toward Irish nationalism
What was the DUP reaction to the DDS ?
DUP saw the Declaration as yet another step towards a united Ireland.
When did the PIRA release their Cease fire after the DDS ?
31 August 1994
What was the condition of the PIRA ceasefire ?
Sinn Fein would have to be involved in any talks
When did loyalist paramilitary announce their ceasefire?
13 October 1994
What did the framework documents aim to do ?
Continue the progress in the peace process
What was Sinn Feins reaction to the framework documents?
They said it allowed unionists to stop progress
What were the only two parties that reacted well to the framework document ?
Alliance and the SDLP
What were the unionist reactions to the framework documents ?
they saw too many similarities to the sunning dale agreement an opposed the creation of North-South links
Why did the PIRA return to violence ?
The absence of talks between the British Government and republicans
What did London do to try and stop the PIRA violence?
established a commission, chaired by former US Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, to consider decommissioning.
What did the London Commission suggest ?
suggested the handover of weapons alongside talks.
When did the PIRA plant a bomb in Canary Wharf ?
Feb 1996
What was the reason the PIRA said that they had returned to violence?
The British Gov lack of action on bringing the peace process forward
Did unionist support the peace forum ?
YES
Why did nationalists not like the peace forum ?
They said that it was another stalling process
Were Sinn Fein involved in the peace talks of 1996 ?
No they move on without them
Was any progress made at these talks ? why ?
No, there needed to be a stronger gov at London
