British-Irish Communique
From the collection of
How We Got Here
- Belfast
- 1998-04-09
British-Irish Communique (UTV News)
Governments set out new joint initiative to rescue the peace process.
Ken Reid reports for UTV Live on events from Downing Street, where the Irish taoiseach has been meeting with UK prime minister John Major. Following the IRA's bombing of London's Docklands area earlier in the month, the peace process is now in huge jeopardy. At this crossroads moment, the British and Irish governments decide to press ahead with a new initiative.
They set out plans for an election in Northern Ireland to a forum with a date of 10 June for the beginning of all-party talks. Also set out is the condition that all those who wish to take part in talks must sign up to the six 'Mitchell Principles' set out by Senator George Mitchell, and renounce all violence. Both Major and Bruton face questions at a press conference and talk about the difficulties caused by the recent bombing.
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.
Tags
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
1
How We Got Here
2
Downing Street Declaration
3
US Visa Given to Gerry Adams
4
Sinn Féin Conference (Ard Fheis)
5
IRA Cessation of Military Operations
6
Loyalist Response to IRA Ceasefire
7
Loyalist Ceasefire Announced
8
USA Special Adviser Appointed
9
Framework Documents Published
10
Reaction to the Framework Documents
11
Mayhew Meeting with Adams
12
Stand-Off at Drumcree
13
March Takes Place on Garvaghy Road
14
IRA 'Haven't Gone Away'
15
David Trimble Elected Leader of UUP
16
President Clinton and John Major at Downing Street
17
President Clinton's Visit to Belfast
18
Mitchell Report on Decommissioning
19
London Docklands Bomb and End of IRA Ceasefire
20
British-Irish Communique
21
Proximity Talks Between Parties
22
Northern Ireland Forum Election Results
23
Irish Presidential Visit to London
24
Preparation for Talks at Stormont
25
Talks at Stormont Begin
26