The Methodist Church's Council on Social Responsibility has welcomed Sinn Fein's announcement that it is willing to accept the Mitchell principles.
It urged the IRA to reinstate its ceasefire and "accept the democratic process towards all party talks on June 10th". Tube following is the Joint Statement issued after the Anglo Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London yesterday.
1. A meeting of the Anglo Irish Intergovernmental Conference was held in London on 22 May, 1996.
2. The British Government were represented by the Joint Chairman, the Rt Hon Sir Patrick Mayhew MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who was accompanied by the Rt Hon Sir John Wheeler MP, Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, the Rt Hon Michael Ancram MP, Minister of State Northern Ireland Office and the Baroness Denton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office. The Irish Government was represented by the Joint Chairman, Mr Dick Spring TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was accompanied by Ms Nora Owen TD, Minister for Justice, Mr Michael Lowry TD, Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, and Mr Emmet Stagg TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. The Commissioner of the Garda Siochana and the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were present for discussion of security matters.
POLITICAL MATTERS
3. The Conference conducted an intensive review of the preparations which are being made for the all party negotiations which are to commence on 10 June.
4. The Conference agreed that these negotiations would be conducted in full accordance with the principles and approach set out by the two Governments in the communique of 28 February and in the ground rules paper of 16 April.
5. The Conference reiterated the commitment of both Governments to the report of the International Body in its entirely.
6. The Conference reaffirmed the hope of both Governments that there will be an unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire, thus allowing Sinn Fein to participate in the all party negotiations.
SECURITY SITUATION
7. The Conference reviewed the current security situation with the Chief Constable and the Commissioner. It also condemned punishment attacks and called on all concerned to use their influence to, end them.
CONFIDENCE ISSUES
8. The Conference considered the measures which are being taken by the security forces in response, to the current security threat. Emphasising the importance of confidence building on all sides, it reaffirmed the willingness of both Governments to respond appropriately to reductions in that threat.
9. The Conference considered parades and the outlook for this year's marching season. It called on all those involved in the planning of parades this year to exercise compromise and balance in the interests of the community as a whole. To that end agreements between all concerned should be encouraged.
10. The Conference discussed a number of prisons issues, including the question of prisoner transfers from the United Kingdom to the Republic.
11. Ministers discussed the British Government's recent White Paper on policing structures as well as the reviews of other policing matters. The conference noted that policing issues are expected to be raised during the forthcoming negotiations.
12. The recent decision to accord grant maintained status to Meanscoil Feirste as of the next academic year was welcomed in the course of a discussion of Irish language education in Northern Ireland.
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
13. The conference considered the response given to views and proposals put forward by the Irish Government under Article 6 of the Agreement. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the objective of the widest possible public confidence in public bodies.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES
14. The conference considered a report on the scope for North/ South co operation in relation to energy matters. Welcoming the wide ranging co operation which already exists in this area, it agreed on the need for further discussion of a wide range of options for future co operation in relation to electricity supply and on the feasibility of developing a North/ South gas interconnector with two way trading. It also saw merit in the preparation of joint bids for support from the European Commission for the funding of energy projects. It agreed, furthermore, that work should continue on identifying opportunities for joint research and development in the energy field and on co operation in other areas such as the contribution made by energy production to rural development.
15. The Conference noted the significant progress which has been made in the work which it commissioned on ways of improving RTE reception in Northern Ireland. It looked forward to a full discussion of this subject at a future date.
16. The Conference also noted the Springvale project.