Northern Ireland

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Background

http://www.state.gov/www/background notes/ireland 9808 bgn.html

Resolving the Northern Ireland problem remains the leading political issue in the country."Nationalists" in Northern Ireland want unification with Ireland, while "unionists" want continued union with Great Britain. Since the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement granting Ireland a formal voice in Northern Ireland affairs, there has been an extensive dialogue between the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom on how to bring about a peaceful, democratic resolution of the conflict. In December 1993, the "Downing Street Declaration, "holding out the promise of inclusive political talks on the future of Northern Ireland, was issued. This led the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to call a "total cessation" of military operations on August 31, 1994. This was followed 6 weeks later by a similar cease-fire by the loyalist paramilitaries.

Policies

The United States has warmly welcomed the April 10, 1998 agreement between the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom and among the political parties of Northern Ireland. The agreement seeks to end political violence through balanced constitutional change and the creation of all-island structures designed to promote cooperation and reconciliation between the Roman Catholic and Protestant citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

U.S. Government policy on Northern Ireland condemns all acts of terrorism and violence. It also cautions all Americans to question closely any appeal for financial or other aid from groups involved in the Northern Ireland conflict to ensure that contributions do not end up in the hands of those who support violence, either directly or indirectly.

Current Issues : NEW EU SUPPORT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND WELCOMED

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ni.html

26 March 1999--The Secretary of State, Dr Marjorie Mowlam, today welcomed the announcement of a new special funding deal for Northern Ireland following the Berlin summit.
The Secretary of State commented

'The Prime Minster won a unique Structural Funds package for Northern Ireland, which will continue to deliver levels of funding equivalent to Objective 1 until the next century. This is a unique and special European Union package which will contribute strongly to the tasks of economic and social renewal which lie ahead for the new institutions in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the EU to benefit in this very special way. The Government is very grateful to the Commission and the Heads of Government of all the other Member States, for the significant support and goodwill that the region has received from the European Union, as reflected in this unique support package. We are especially to the GermanGovernment in its role as Presidency, and to Commissioner Wulf-Mathies who has shown such continued commitment to helping Northern Ireland at this important time.

There will be continued support under transitional Objective 1 funding through a new Single Programme and Northern Ireland will continue to benefit from the EU-wide Community Initiatives. In addition, there will be 0.5 billion euro for an enhanced PEACE programme. 'A number of important details about the total funding package still need to be clarified but we know that Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy levels of support equivalent to Objective 1.' This is the end of what has been a very lengthy and difficult negotiation during which Northern Ireland Ministers have worked closely with both the British and Irish Governments to ensure that Northern Ireland's case was made at the highest levels in Europe.

'These will be built into a new Single Programming Document, new Community Initiatives Programmes and a follow-on to the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. Consultation with local interests is already under way in respect of some of these elements, but this will now gain momentum over the coming months.' 'This is a great opportunity for Northern Ireland and it is essential now that we ensure that we exploit it to the full. 'In preparing the new Programmes, we want to ensure that they have a new economic focus to respond to the new challenges and opportunities which Northern Ireland will face in the future.

Notes


1. In July 1997, the European Commission issued its Agenda 2000 proposals which deal with future key EU policies, including the financing of the Structural Funds post 1999 Objective 1 status applies to those regions whose development is lagging behind (ie a per capital GDP of below 75 per cent of EU average); Objective 2 covers regions experiencing structural problems and Objective 3, the development of human resources in areas outside those covered by Objectives 1.

2. Although Northern Ireland does not qualify for Objective 1 status under the new Structural Funds Regulations as its GDP is now around 80 per cent, we have achieved a unique package which will continue to deliver levels of funding equivalent to Objective 1 into the next century. The details have yet to be clarified but include 0.5 billion euro for an enhanced PEACE Programme.

3. In addition to the benefiting under transitional Objective 1 funding, Northern Ireland will also benefit fully from the EU-wide community Initiatives, each of which will address a specific theme. These Initiatives include INTERREG (cross-border and inter-regional co-operation), Leader (rural development) and Equal (promoting equality of access to employment). There will also be a continued and enhanced continuation of the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which we hope will be focused much more closely on addressing new challenges and opportunities which arise from the new circumstances in Northern Ireland.

4. Work has already begun in preparing a draft of a new Northern Ireland Structural Funds Plan, drawing upon the responses received from local partners to a widespread consultation exercise to identify funding priorities which was launched in August 1998. The deadline for submission of the new Plan is expected to be in September/October 1999. Further consultation with local partners is planned to take place in the intervening months and a major conference is scheduled for May 1999. This partnership approach towards drawing up the new Plan will ensure that implementation of EU funding takes full account of the views of people at grass roots level.

NEW EU SUPPORT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND WELCOMED
(http://britain-info.org/bistext/nireland/mo26399.htm )

Current Issues :All-Party Negotiations, Joint Press Conference
http://britain-info.org/bistext/nireland/allparty.htm

Friday 7 June 1996 --The following is the text of a document issued by the British and Irish Governments at a press conference on Thursday, 6 June, 1996.
All-Party Negotiations, Joint Press Conference, Sir Patrick Mayhew, QC MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Mr Dick Spring, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Strand Two Issues

  1. Discussion of requirements for a new beginning for relationships within the island of Ireland, including fundamental aspects of the problem: underlying realities; identity; allegiance; constitutional.
  2. Common interests (including matters such as economic cooperation and development, security cooperation and law enforcement cooperation) and themes.
  3. The question of institutional arrangements and any other practical implications to meet agreed requirements (including principles to govern any such arrangements).
  4. Relationship of such new institutional arrangements to other structures - eg: UK Government and Parliament; Irish Government and Parliament; Northern Ireland structures; Irish-UK intergovernmental structures; the European union.
  5. Measures for the guarantee and protection of rights.
  6. Consequential measuree needed to implement, support and underwrite such new structures.

Strand Three Issues

  1. Opening presentations by the two Governments.
  2. Establishment of necessary mechanisms to provide a meaningful role for the political parties in respect of Strand Three issues.
  3. Examination of the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland, its impact and its implications for the two Governments.
  4. Principles and criteria which should underpin new arrangements, including requirements to acknowledge and recognise the rights of the two major traditions that exist in Ireland.
  5. The question of institutional arrangements and provisions of any new agreement or structure.
  6. Arrangements needed to implement, support dnd underwrite any new agreement or structure.
  7. Constitutional issues.
  8. Consideration of arrangements for the protection of rights.
  9. Arrangements for the approval and implementation of a comprehensive agreement.

Library Resources


The War That Came in from the Cold: Clinton and the Irish Question - It is now a year since the historic Good Friday Agreement brought about a settlement to perhaps the most intractable of all modern conflicts

The Good Friday Peace Dividend -London is working with the Northern Ireland Assembly to create a desirable peace dividend.

How did the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland start? -This document answer the question on the Northern Ireland trouble.

Why is Ireland divided?

Irish Background Note -U.S. State Department’s background note on Ireland

Peace in Northern Ireland-- This page contains many documents concerning peace of Northern Ireland

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