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Sinn Fein

John Major Rejects Sinn Fein's Calls for Clarification on Northern Ireland Declaration

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

John Major, the British Prime Minister, will reject Gerry Adams's calls for clarification on the joint declaration on the future of Northern Ireland. In a move to dash Adams's hopes, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, will publish a commentary on nine questions from the Sinn Fein president. However, senior Downing Street officials have dismissed suggestions that Major is about to embark on negotiations with Adams.

The move comes against the background of warnings from Unionist and Conservative MPs that the Government must not be drawn into talks with Sinn Fein/the IRA. They fear that ministers are backtracking on their past refusal to reject calls for clarification in the hope of securing a peace deal. Meanwhile, Adams has called for honest and unambiguous answers to the questions, which will be answered in a written commentary and backed up by verbal replies in the Commons.

Key Takeaways:

  • John Major will reject Gerry Adams's calls for clarification on the joint declaration on the future of Northern Ireland.
  • Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Northern Ireland Secretary, will publish a commentary on nine questions from the Sinn Fein president.
  • The commentary will be a restatement of the existing policy agreed between London and Dublin and will address the questions about Britain's long-term objectives in Ulster and the fate of the Unionist veto.
  • The Prime Minister believes that all can be answered by direct reference to the declaration and ministerial speeches and comments.
  • John Major has adopted a sceptical view about a possible breakthrough in Ulster, fearing that Adams's tactics remain directed at undermining the Unionist veto.
  • The Government has decided against setting a deadline for Sinn Fein to renounce violence and join the peace process.
  • Ulster Unionists have warned the Government not to negotiate in public with the IRA, saying that it would be a "dangerous road to go down".

The RUC arrested up to 20 people, including the suspected head of the Ulster Defence Association, in the largest operation this year against Loyalist terrorists.

Statistics:

  • 9 questions from Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams seeking clarification on the joint declaration on the future of Northern Ireland.
  • 20 people arrested by the RUC in the largest operation this year against Loyalist terrorists.
  • The suspected head of the Ulster Defence Association was among those arrested.

Sources:

  • The Times, 1994

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