THE JOINT UNIONIST DELEGATIONS

Parliament Buildings,

Stormont,

BELFAST, BT4 3SY.

3rd June, 1991.

Dear Secretary of State,

Our colleagues have reported to us on the outcome of today's deliberations and we confirm our endorsement of the Workplan for Strand One as amended and presented by the Minister of State at the meeting.

We further confirm our acceptance of the memorandum entitled Staff in Strand Two on the basis of your undertaking that no Maryfield staff will be nominated by either Government as note-takers.

Turning to the Republic of Ireland's suggested amendments to the Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two, we will not oppose the deletion of the words "with the agreement of one or more Delegations" in Paragraph 2.

We seek confirmation that your statement to the House of Commons on 26th March 1991 permits that "the last plenary meeting in Strand two also provides an opportunity for any of the participating parties to put to the Government their views on Strand Three issues". Subject to this confirmation, we are prepared to accept the deletion of Paragraph 15. We have noted your assurance that both Governments are content that such an opportunity should be given.

In relation to Paragraph 10, we are not convinced that the suggested amendment is an improvement on the previous version which was, largely, drafted by your team. We would urge that, since we have accepted the other amendments, the Irish Government be encouraged to drop this unnecessary alteration. However, should they prove intransigent, we would ask you to confirm your undertaking given earlier today that the word "regular" is not intended to convey a series of meetings at such fixed intervals as to preclude the opportunity for essential non-plenary discussions.

We note that the suggested amendment to Paragraph 10 has excluded detail concerning the Strand 2 venues. In order that there is no departure from the agreed position, and to ensure the independent chairman is aware of that agreement, we would wish to have the venue agreement written into the Procedural Guidelines. We suggest, either at the commencement of new Paragraph 10, or as a new Paragraph, standing on its own, the following text:-

"The opening meeting of Strand 2 shall be held in London and the bulk of substantive discussions in Parliament Buildings, Belfast before a plenary meeting in Dublin. The London and Dublin meetings, it is anticipated, may last for longer than one day."

Since we trust that this communication finalises matters relating to two of the three outstanding issues pertaining to Strand 2 (and progress has been made on the third issue) we look to you to implement your suggestion of 21st May 1991 that "resolving two of the three remaining issues now should provide a basis for going forward. The identity of the Chairman could then be resolved in the margins". We feel that this is the proper approach and confidently look forward to commencing Strand 1 plenary sessions.

Yours sincerely,

[signed by:]

Rt. Hon. James Molyneaux M.P.

Leader Ulster Unionist Party

Dr. Ian R.K. Paisley M.P.

Leader Democratic Unionist Party