CODE 18-77
Mr Tedstone
HKD
UNCLASSIFIED
Reference
LETTER FROM MR CLARKE (MONTE CASSINO VETERANS ASSOCIATION): HONG KONG/NORTHERN IRELAND
1. Thank you for letting us see this draft. I suggest that your paragraph 5 should be expanded, to take account of the talks beginning this week. I suggest the following alternative:
"As for the Northern Ireland problems, you may be aware that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Brooke, announced on 26 March that, after 14 months of exploratory discussions, he had found a basis for formal political talks which was acceptable to the main constitutional parties in Northern Ireland and to the Irish Government. These talks [are to] start on 30 April and will address the three key relationships affecting Northern Ireland. As Mr Brooke said in the House of Commons on 26 March, when announcing the initiative, "We are setting out to achieve a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland, within the island of Ireland and between the peoples of these islands. While a successful outcome cannot be guaranteed in advance, I am confident that all participants are committed to a forward looking and constructive approach. Her Majesty's Government consider that the forthcoming talks offer the best way forward at present.
"I
Jim Frased
J T Fraser
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND DEPARTMENT
29 April 1991
EMN 22 270 2354
UNCLASSIFIED
ID2157