Northern Ireland Peace Process

The route of peace in Ireland is to be found in the restoration to the Irish
people of our right to national self-determination - in the free exercise of
this right without any impediment of any kind. British sovereignty over the
Six Counties, as with all Ireland before partition, is the inherent cause of
political instability and conflict . . . We believe that the wish of the
majority of the Irish people is for Irish unity. We believe that an
adherence to democratic principles makes Irish unity inevitable.

Sinn Féin, May 10, 1993

THE ELEVEN POINTS OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT

1. Declaration of Support
All participants committed to set of basic principles, including:
non-violence, equality and mutual respect.

2. Constitutional Issues
Reinforced principles of self-determination and consent as described in
Joint Declaration of 1993, in regards to the future political status of
Northern Ireland.

3. Establish New Assembly
Establish assembly with devolved legislative powers over broad areas of
social and economic policy. Executive authority would reside in Executive
Committee made up of Ministers whose appointment will be proportional to
party strength.

4. Establish North/South Ministerial Council
Council of Republic of Ireland government and the Northern Ireland
administration to work together on issues of mutual interest.

5. Establish British-Irish Council
Council consisting of representatives from governments of the Republic and
the United Kingdom, plus the devolved assemblies from Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales, plus the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Also
establishes British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

6. Enact Provisions to Safeguard Human Rights and Equality of Opportunity
Creation of Human Rights Commissions in Northern Ireland and the Republic,
plus commitments to wide range of economic, cultural and social issues.

7. Position on Decommissioning
Commitment of all participants to achieve decommissioning of paramilitary
weapons within two years of approval of Agreement

8. Position on Security
Development of peaceful environment including normalization of security
policies

9. Position on Policing
Establishment of independent Commission of Policing to guide development of
a police service in Northern Ireland which is representative of community as
a whole.

10. Release of Prisoners
Release of paramilitary prisoners as long as affiliated organizations
maintain complete and equivocal ceasefires.

11. Approval of Agreement, Implementation, and Ongoing Monitoring
Provision for referendums to be held in both parts of Ireland on May 22,
1998, seeking public approval of the Agreement. Also established extensive
review process for all aspects of Agreement, as well as complete review
conference after four years.