[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6137-S6138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A NEW CHANCE FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I welcome the news that negotiations on 
Northern Ireland are back on course. Fractious though they might be, 
the talks involving the British and Irish Governments, as well as 
representatives of Northern Ireland's political parties, offer hope to 
all of us who long for a permanent peace in Northern Ireland.
  The talks, which opened Monday, had hit a significant impasse over 
the role of our former colleague George Mitchell, who was chosen by the 
British and Irish Governments to chair the negotiating sessions. Due to 
the courage shown by all those involved, but particularly Prime 
Minister Major and Unionist leader David Trimble, the impasse has been 
resolved and a possible deadlock has been averted. The talks will 
proceed with Senator Mitchell at the helm.
  I regret that there are still some Unionists, however, who object to 
Senator Mitchell's chairmanship, for the sole purpose, I suspect, of 
obstructing the peace process. Having served with George Mitchell for 
many years in the Senate, I can personally attest to his even-handed 
and judicious approach to the issues. Here in the Senate, he was 
admired by members of both parties for his ability to build bridges and 
cut across partisan lines. George Mitchell is quite frankly, one of the 
most fair-minded individuals with whom I have had the pleasure of 
working.
  Senator Mitchell has already demonstrated great wisdom and balance 
with regard to the peace process in Northern Ireland. In January, 
Senator Mitchell issued an excellent report examining the link between 
the decommissioning of weapons and all-party talks. As head of the 
international body charged with studying this issue. Senator Mitchell 
drew upon his background as a judge. He did an excellent

[[Page S6138]]

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. For this reason, the report was hailed across the board. It 
provides a solid set of principles for the negotiations. I am confident 
that Senator Mitchell will continue to demonstrate even-handedness and 
great insight as he takes up the gavel at Stormont Castle, the site of 
the talks.
  The talks on Northern Ireland will proceed without the participation 
of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army. Sinn 
Fein is barred from the negotiating sessions because the IRA has failed 
to commit to a cease-fire. That is as it should be. The ground rules 
for the talks make clear that all parties must offer their total 
commitment to the principles of democracy and nonviolence.
  But there is a place reserved at the table for Sinn Fein. The IRA 
need only recommit itself to nonviolence to take its seat at that 
table. Genuine all-party talks cannot take place without Sinn Fein or 
without the Unionist parties which have thus far eschewed the process.
  A great deal of progress has been made toward achieving a lasting 
peace. Let us hope that the momentum can be continued.

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