[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 11 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, earlier this week, the International Body 
chaired by the Honorable George Mitchell, the distinguished former 
Senate majority leader, issued its report regarding the Northern 
Ireland peace process. Specifically, the International Body was charged 
by the British and Irish Governments with examining the twin tracks in 
the peace process--namely the decommissioning of weapons and all-party 
talks.
  As my colleagues are aware, the current sticking point in the peace 
process is the relationship between the decommissioning of weapons and 
the convening of all-party talks. The International Body has done an 
excellent job of reaching out to the various parties to hear their 
views on this difficult matter, and of characterizing the opposing 
views on that issue. I would particularly like to commend my friend 
George Mitchell for the fine work he has done in this regard.
  The report lays out a very balanced set of recommendations focusing 
on six principles. Among other things, it recommends that the parties 
to the conflict ``affirm their total and absolute commitment'' to 
democratic and exclusively peaceful means of resolving political 
issues, to the ``total disarmament'' of all paramilitary organizations, 
and that they renounce and oppose any effort to use force or threaten 
to use force to influence the all-party negotiations.
  The report recognizes that ``there is clear commitment'' to 
decommission weapons as part of the process of all-party talks. It 
suggests that the parties consider decommissioning during, rather than 
before or after the process of all-party negotiations.
  The report also includes a series of further confidence building 
measures that might be taken. On the question of elections, it suggests 
that ``elections held in accordance with democratic principles express 
and reflect the popular will'' and that ``an elective process could 
contribute to the building of confidence.''
  The report does not suggest, however, that elections proceed all-
party talks. I know there is real concern among the various parties 
about the British Government's subsequent proposal that elections be 
held prior to all-party talks as such elections might further delay the 
process.
  Perhaps most importantly, the report reminds us that ``for nearly a 
year and half, the guns have been silent in Northern Ireland'' and that 
``the people want that silence to continue.'' For that to happen, there 
must be continued momentum in the peace process. The timely release of 
this report has gone a long way toward keeping the process moving. 
Delays at this juncture could scuttle the very real progress that has 
been made to date.
  In establishing the International Body, Prime Minister Major and 
Prime Minister Bruton took decisive action to break the deadlock that 
had beset the negotiations. Let us hope that they, as well as all 
parties in Northern Ireland, will continue their courageous steps for 
peace.

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