Transcript
The Prime Minister put the Unionist North-South proposal to Ahern, and pushed him hard. Ahern accepted that the basis of a deal was there, but repeated that Westminster legislation had to be part of this, even if the Assembly helped to draft the legislation. The Prime Minister saw no reason why we should not reintroduce the previous reference to the two governments making all necessary legislative and other preparations. After Teahon and Gallagher had studied the Unionist text in more detail, and suggested some more changes, the Irish reluctantly agreed to it, together (apparently) with the list of proposed subjects for co-operation / implementation bodies.
The Prime Minister then put the proposed Irish amendments to Trimble, who accepted the essential ones. So a deal appeared to have been struck on Strand 2, and a breakthrough achieved. Strand 1 negotiation could start in earnest, together with efforts to resolve the remaining textual problems over rights, policing, decommissioning, etc.
However problems soon appeared. Word began to reach us of serious difficulties about the new text in the Irish camp, fuelled by Andrews, O’Donnell and Mansergh, and unhappiness on the part of Sinn Fein and the SDLP. The Prime Minister explained at length to both parties why the new text was satisfactory from their point of view. The SDLP seemed reasonably convinced. Sinn Fein were not.
Notes
- ‘Mansergh’ is Martin Mansergh, a politician in Ireland who advised Irish leaders on Northern Ireland.