Source 6 - Letter from US Senator 30 April 1998

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A letter from US Senator George Mitchell to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on 30 April 1998, soon after the signing of the Agreement.

Context notes

Mitchell was a US Senator who had a deep interest in Northern Ireland. President Clinton appointed him as US Special Envoy in 1995 to be an independent figure in the Northern Ireland peace process. He became the Co-Chairman of the Northern Ireland Peace Talks, an important figure in the talks which eventually led to the Agreement. His job was to be an independent and impartial individual who could help to resolve disputes. He was best known for his work in negotiating the decommissioning of paramilitary forces. However, he also worked with the political parties, persuading them to accept the Mitchell Principles. These were a set of limits on political parties, the most important of which was that unless they renounced violence they would not have any role in any of the talks or negotiations. The letter was written a few days after the Belfast (Good Friday Agreement) was agreed.

Transcript

 

Office of the Independent Chairmen

Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SG Northern Ireland

Telephone 01232 522957 Facsimile 01232 768905

 

April 30, 1998

 

The Rt Hon Mr Tony Blair, MP

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

LONDON SW1A 2AA

 

Dear Prime Minister

It was a pleasure to work with you in the multi-party negotiations.

 

I am sure there were times when you felt discouraged and uncertain (as we all did), but in the end your commitment and perseverance prevailed.

 

I will always regard my participation in this process as one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done. In large part that was due to the warmth and courtesy with which I was treated by all of the participants.

 

With my gratitude and best wishes,

GEORGE J. MITCHELL

 

You demonstrated leadership of a rare and high quality, and you made this possible. The hand of history chose well!

« Return to What led to the Belfast Good Friday Agreement? (KS5)

Questions

Content

  1. What was the main reason for Mitchell writing this letter?

Inferences from the content

  1. What inferences can be made about Mitchell’s views on the negotiations?
  2. What can be inferred about Mitchell’s views of Tony Blair?

Inferences from the context

  1. Can anything be inferred from the timing of this letter?

Lines of Argument

  1. Which historian could use this document as supporting evidence?