Mitchell Report on Decommissioning

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Mitchell Report on Decommissioning (UTV News)

Senator Mitchell sets out his roadmap for peace talks.

A report by Jane Loughrey for UTV Live on the report from Senator George Mitchell on the issue of arms decommissioning in the Northern Irish peace process. Reports from the Irish press had accurately surmised the content of the report, the main takeaway of which was that Mitchell was suggesting no pre-conditions from the British government before all-party talks could take place.

Mitchell concluded that it was unreasonable to expect the various paramilitary groups to give up their weapons before talks had begun. Instead, he suggested that the issue of arms and talks could be dealt with in tandem and that any arms ultimately decommissioned should be through an independent body, to avoid any accusations of the use of terms such as 'surrender' or 'victory'.

The report would give John Major much to think about, but the Mitchell Commission urged its implementation as soon as possible and it was embraced by Sinn Fein, the PUP and the UDP as a basis for moving the process forward.

Starting in 1993, UTV Live took over as Ulster Television's local news series, running a flagship programme each evening, with other bulletins throughout the day. In the 1990s it captured the unfolding story of the push towards a peace settlement in Northern Ireland, through all its twist and turns, which ended with the historic Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

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Northern Ireland: The Road to Peace

The historic events which led to a political agreement to end almost 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland during the time known as 'The Troubles'.

In 1993, exploratory talks about peace gave hope that decades of civil strife and violence in Northern Ireland could be brought to an end. At Christmas that year, the Downing Street Declaration by John Major and the Irish Taoiseach Albert Reynolds paved the way for a peace process that would build in momentum over the next five years. The path forwards was often rocky and turbulent, and punctuated by further violence and unrest. However, the major players from all sides of the divide eventually struck an historic deal in what was known as the Good Friday Agreement. This collection of news reports and interviews between 1993 and 1998 records the slow but steady path towards a better future after a generation of conflict.

26 videos in this collection

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How We Got Here

  • Belfast
  • 1998
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Downing Street Declaration

  • Westminster
  • 1993
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US Visa Given to Gerry Adams

  • 1994
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Sinn Féin Conference (Ard Fheis)

  • 1994
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IRA Cessation of Military Operations

  • Belfast
  • 1994
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Loyalist Response to IRA Ceasefire

  • Belfast
  • 1994
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Loyalist Ceasefire Announced

  • Belfast
  • 1994
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USA Special Adviser Appointed

  • 1994
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Framework Documents Published

  • Belfast
  • 1995
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Reaction to the Framework Documents

  • Belfast
  • 1995
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Mayhew Meeting with Adams

  • 1995
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Stand-Off at Drumcree

  • Portadown
  • 1995
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March Takes Place on Garvaghy Road

  • Portadown
  • 1995
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IRA 'Haven't Gone Away'

  • Belfast
  • 1995
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David Trimble Elected Leader of UUP

  • Belfast
  • 1995
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President Clinton and John Major at Downing Street

  • Westminster
  • 1995
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President Clinton's Visit to Belfast

  • Belfast
  • 1995
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Mitchell Report on Decommissioning

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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London Docklands Bomb and End of IRA Ceasefire

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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British-Irish Communique

  • Westminster
  • 1996
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Proximity Talks Between Parties

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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Northern Ireland Forum Election Results

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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Irish Presidential Visit to London

  • Westminster
  • 1996
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Preparation for Talks at Stormont

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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Talks at Stormont Begin

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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Unionist Parties Split on Role of Senator Mitchell

  • Belfast
  • 1996
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