IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 90

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 27, 1998

Referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To acknowledge the Historic Northern Ireland Peace

Agreement.

Whereas the people of Ireland have experienced civil conflict

throughout their history with the latest phase, known as

The Troubles, ongoing for the last thirty years;

Whereas this tragic history has cost the lives of thousands of

men, women, and children, and has left a deep and profound legacy of suffering;

Whereas the governments of the Republic of Ireland and the

United Kingdom have endeavored for many years to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern

Ireland; and such efforts, including the 1985 Anglo-Irish

Agreement, the 1993 Joint Declaration, and the 1995

New Framework for Agreement, were important milestones in guiding the parties toward a political agreement;
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SCON 90 RFH

Whereas the announced cessation of armed hostilities in 1994

by the Irish Republican Army and the Combined Loyalist

Military Command created the opportunity for all-inclusive political discussions to occur;

Whereas representatives from Northern Ireland’s political

parties, pledging to adhere to the principles of non-violence, commenced all-party talks in June 1996, and those

talks greatly intensified in the Spring of 1998 under the

chairmanship of former United States Senator George

Mitchell;

Whereas the active participation of British Prime Minister

Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was indispensable to the success of negotiations;

Whereas the support and encouragement for the Northern

Ireland peace process by President Clinton, on behalf of

the United States, was also an important factor in the

success of the negotiations;

Whereas on April 10, 1998, the political parties, together

with the British and Irish Governments successfully concluded the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement;

Whereas people throughout the island will have an opportunity to approve or reject the final agreement during the

May 22 referendums; and

Whereas the British and Irish Governments have committed

to making the necessary constitutional and other legal

changes necessary to bring the agreement into effect

after the referendum approval processes have been concluded: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
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SCON 90 RFH

1 (1) all of the participants in the negotiations

2 deserve congratulations for their willingness to make

3 honorable compromises in order to reach an agree4 ment that promises to end the tragic cycle of vio5 lence that has dominated Northern Ireland for dec6 ades;

7 (2) Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach

8 Bertie Ahern deserve particular credit for their lead9 ership and constant encouragement in support of the

10 peace process;

11 (3) the American people can be especially proud

12 of the contributions made by the United States in

13 the quest for peace, including President Clinton’s vi14 sion and determination to achieve peace in Northern

15 Ireland and his personal commitment to remain an

16 active supporter throughout the process; and

17 (4) all friends of Ireland owe a lasting debt of

18 gratitude to Senator George Mitchell for his dedica19 tion, courage, leadership, and wisdom in guiding the

20 peace talks to a successful conclusion.

Passed the Senate April 23, 1998.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.