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[Editor's Note: A handwritten note dates this paper as '15.30 on 20/5/91'.]
JOINT UNIONIST POSITION PAPER
We are concerned to see some constructive progress in the Talks process. We stand ready to participate in Strand 1 as soon as meetings are convened and we see no justifiable impediment to their commencement. We are however seized of the urgency to resolve, in the margins of the Conference, the outstanding issues which will clear the way for Strand 2 leading on to Strand 3.
There should be no doubt as to our determination to complete the process in each of its Strands as evidenced by our endorsement of your 26th. March 1991 statement.
In particular while we did not accept the principle of the appointment of an independent Chairman, if the clarifications concerning his identity and operations were reasonable and in view of the Prime Minister's assurance about the manner of his appointment, we would be prepared to work under him.
In terms of venue the difficulty has been considerably narrowed in that it only remains for us to agree on a venue within Northern Ireland.
We will deal expeditiously with the outstanding issues on receipt of your proposals or if it is helpful we are prepared to make further suggestions ourselves.