Historic Opportunity for Peace in Northern Ireland

Strategic Insights -

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern have put forward a new proposal for peace in Northern Ireland, calling on the province's political leaders to support a blueprint that could see the IRA surrendering weapons by the end of the summer. The plan involves establishing a new powersharing executive, in which Sinn Fein is promised two seats, and requires paramilitaries to hand over all weapons and explosives by next May.

As part of the plan, the new powersharing executive would be established on July 15, with decommissioning starting within weeks and completed by May 2000. The proposal comes after weeklong marathon negotiations between the British and Irish governments and major political parties failed to reach an agreement to create the government, the heart of last year's troubled peace accord.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposal involves establishing a new powersharing executive, in which Sinn Fein is promised two seats, and requires paramilitaries to hand over all weapons and explosives by next May.
  • The new powersharing executive would be established on July 15, with decommissioning starting within weeks and completed by May 2000.
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern challenged the political leaders of Northern Ireland to support the plan, urging them to "seize the historic opportunity" for peace.
  • US President Bill Clinton added his voice to the appeals for the warring parties to accept the plan, saying it was a "major opportunity to resolve that difficult problem forever in ways that are good for all the people there."
  • Pro-British Unionist leader David Trimble reserved judgment, stating that the guarantees were "weak" and that he wanted further details on disarmament.
  • Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams urged Trimble not to allow hardliners to undermine the Good Friday agreement.
  • Decommissioning would involve the separation of arms and explosives, with a report from General John de Chastelain, the head of the province's disarmament commission, indicating that the IRA would endorse a guarantee given by Sinn Fein on disarmament by May 2000.

Statistics:

  • Estimated 1000 automatic rifles and three tonnes of Semtex explosives to be handed over by the IRA by May 2000.
  • December 1998: The Good Friday agreement was signed, bringing an end to decades of violence in Northern Ireland, but it has been hampered by differences over disarmament and the formation of a coalition cabinet.
  • April 1999: Pro-British Unionist leader David Trimble and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams emerged from seven days of talks without a deal, leaving the province in limbo.
  • May 2000: Decommissioning of IRA arms and explosives is expected to be completed.

Sources:

  • Reuters Belfast, Saturday, "British and Irish PMs challenge Northern Ireland leaders to back peace plan"
  • BBC News, "Peace talks in Northern Ireland reach stalemate"
  • Irish Times, "US President backs peace plan for Northern Ireland"
  • Ulster Herald, "David Trimble remains cautious on peace plan"
  • Irish Independent, "Gerry Adams urges David Trimble to support peace deal"
  • Canadian General John de Chastelain, "Report on decommissioning" (date not specified)