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Trimble, David

Northern Ireland Peace Talks Hit Roadblock as Protestant Party Rejects Draft Accord

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is racing to Northern Ireland to try to salvage the peace talks after a key Protestant party rejected a draft agreement. The setback comes as fears of renewed sectarian violence grow, following a shooting that claimed the life of a Protestant man.

Key Takeaways:

  • A major Protestant party, the Ulster Unionist Party, led by David Trimble, rejected a draft peace accord presented by George Mitchell, the chairman of the peace talks, amid concerns that the proposals were biased in favor of the two Catholic parties.
  • The proposals, which have not been made public, aim to create a new cross-border North-South Council with the power to make binding decisions on Northern Ireland's affairs, which Protestants fear will lead to a united Ireland run from Dublin.
  • The deadline for an agreement, set for midnight tomorrow night, is now in doubt, and Mitchell has stated that the deadline will not be extended.
  • The proposed Northern Ireland Assembly would have 90 elected members, with decisions requiring approval from at least 70% of its members to prevent a Protestant majority from marginalizing Catholics.
  • The Assembly's decisions would need to be approved by the British Parliament, with some Protestants seeking this role in favor of the British Parliament to control the Assembly.
  • The issue of early paroles for imprisoned members of the IRA and pro-British paramilitary groups, disarmament, and the reform of the predominantly Protestant police force remain contentious.
  • The Mitchell proposals also include the creation of an Independent Commission to address these sensitive issues, which Protestants see as an attempt to undermine their authority.
  • The talks have received international attention, with U.S. President Bill Clinton and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern expressing support for the negotiations.
  • Mr. Trimble said the proposals were biased against the Protestant party, sparking concerns about a possible breakdown in the talk.

Statistics:

  • 3,200 people have been killed in sectarian violence in Northern Ireland since 1969.
  • The peace talks have been ongoing for nearly two years, with George Mitchell chairing the negotiations.
  • The proposed North-South Council is aimed at promoting joint policies in areas of common interest such as tourism, agriculture, health, and international development aid.
  • The Ulster Unionist Party has 10 MPs in the British Parliament, with Mr. Trimble one of them.
  • Two Republican parties, Sinn Fein and the SDLP, have 3 MPs each.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • The New York Times
  • Sinn Fein
  • Ulster Unionist Party
  • George Mitchell's draft proposal (undated)
  • Police
  • British Broadcasting Corp.
  • The Irish National Liberation Army
  • The Continuity IRA
  • The 32 County Sovereignty Committee

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