(2009-0572-F) Northern Ireland Correspondence

The materials in FOIA 2009-0572-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2009-0572-F contains records dealing with correspondence between the President and parties involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. Researchers should also see 2006-0215-F (Records regarding British Prime Minister John Major), 2006-0217-F (Records regarding British Prime Minister Tony Blair), and 2006-1759-F (Records concerning the Good Friday Agreement and the Northern Ireland Peace Process). The Northern Ireland peace process sought an end to thirty years of political violence. “The Troubles,” as this period is called, began on October 5, 1968 with a civil rights march in Londonderry and ended on April 10, 1998 with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The conflict centered around the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. The Protestant majority that defined itself as British wanted to remain a part of the United Kingdom (unionists) and the Catholic minority that considered itself Irish wanted a unified Ireland apart from the United Kingdom (nationalists). Another key issue in the conflict was discrimination against Catholics by the Protestant majority. More than 3,500 people were killed during the conflict. The FOIA request was for correspondence between the President and those involved in the peace process. Responsive records were found regarding Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams. Most dealt with his requests for visas to visit the United States and for permission to fundraise while visiting. Sinn Fein is a hardline nationalist party dedicated to a unified Ireland and because it is the political arm of the Provisional Irish Republic Army (PIRA), a paramilitary group, Adams’ initial visa request in May 1993 was denied. He was however granted a visa by President Clinton in 1994 in order to further the peace process. A June 1996 letter from Adams to the President in appreciation of a meeting is also included. Northern Ireland has numerous Unionist parties all believing in the preservation of the political union between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Two letters from the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party are included: one from 1995 arguing against the decision to grant Gerry Adams a visa and the second in 1999 from party leader Gary McMichael regarding illegal weapons being shipped into Ireland from the United States by the Provisional IRA. Also included is correspondence with three Taoisigh (plural form of Taoiseach; Gaelic for prime minister) of Ireland: Albert Reynolds (February 1992 - December 1994), John Bruton (December 1994 - June 1997), and Bertie Ahern (June 1997-May 2008). Two architects of the Good Friday Agreement and the co-recipients of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, John Hume and David Trimble, both have correspondence responsive to this FOIA request. As do British Prime Ministers John Major (1990-1997) and Tony Blair (1997-2007), and Irish President Mary Robinson (1990-1997). United Kingdom Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam (1997-1999) and her replacement, Peter Mandelson (1999-2001), are also included. On the American side are Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith (1993-1998), Senator George Mitchell – Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and primary architect of the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement, and several U.S. Congressmen. The Congressional letters mainly involve the issue of whether to issue Gerry Adams a visa to visit the United States and, if so, the question of lifting any fundraising restrictions imposed on the visit. A 1993 congressional letter urging the President to take a more active role in the peace process is also included. The majority of responsive records deal with routine issues: thank you letters for visits and head of state gifts, and farewell letters to outgoing leaders. Also included are letters thanking President Clinton for his support of the peace process (Taoiseach Reynolds in 1994 and President Robinson in 1996). The schedule for the 1998 St. Patrick’s Day meetings on Northern Ireland with Gerry Adams, David Trimble and John Hume is also included, as are letters from individuals and organizations urging President Clinton to approve Gerry Adam’s visa request to enter the United States.