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518257410
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Ireland (02/03/1981-02/26/1981)
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518257410
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Ireland (02/03/1981-02/26/1981)
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Executive Secretariat, National Security Council: Records
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1989-12-31
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1981
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Executive Secretariat, NSC: Country File:
Records, 1981-1985
SERIES: III: EUROPE AND SOVIET UNION
Folder Title: Ireland (02/03/1981-02/26/1981)
Box: RAC Box 15
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digitized-textual-material
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Inventories, visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/white-house-inventories
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/research-
support/citation-guide
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Last Updated: 05/09/2025
267
/
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
The President has seen
WASHINGTON
February 3, 1981
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
OKpr
pr
FROM:
RICHARD ALLEN An
SUBJECT:
Irish Embassy project
The Irish Embassy is delighted to inform the Irish
government that you indeed have an interest in
'tracing your roots." The project will go ahead,
and the Embassy has informed me that it will remain
a private undertaking and that the results will be
presented to you in due course.
I trust this meets with your approval.
CC: Edwin Meese
James A. Baker
NSC/S PROFILE
CONFIDENTIAL
ID 8100241
2
RECEIVED 04 FEB 81 16
TO
DEAVER, M
FROM ALLEN
DOCDATE 03 FEB 81
BANCLASSIRED JPON REMOVA.
OF CLASSIFIED FNCLOSURE(S)
7/7/15 /2013
KEYWORDS: IRELAND
VISIT
HAUGHEY, CHARLES J
AP
DONLON
SUBJECT: APPT REQUEST FOR PM HAUGHEY W/ PRES ON 17 MARCH
ACTION: ALLEN SGD MEMO TO DEAVER
DUE: 26 FEB 81 STATUS X/S FILES
OH
FOR ACTION
FOR COMMENT
FOR INFO
RENTSCHLER
TYSON
FARRAR
COMMENTS
REF#
LOG 8100483
NSCIFID
( B, H )
ACTION OFFICER (S)
ASSIGNED
ACTION REQUIRED
DUE
COPIES TO
Split Package
2/26 Recd State memo
CT
Rentschler x/s 2/26 Phepare memo fr Allen 2/26
allen x 3/02 forsignature
CT
C 3/06 Allen sol memo
3/6 2nd Part OBe Per alter Rect Tyson Rentschle
A 3/9 Tyson 49d memp to 3r 3/15 RE
3/10 Read approved activity RE et
2
3/13 Recd s/s 8107928
RE 3 MA 3/13 Sr allea - CT
allen
X 3/A fordecision
CTL
C 3/18 Pres has seen
CV, DB
DISPATCH
W/ATTACH FILE
(0) P&A (C) dom
520
*******C 0 N I D E N I A L*******
3
DATE 02/25/81
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
RAGE 001
WHSR COMMENTS
RA NAN COL VP
EOB:WEUR
MESSAGE ANNOTATIONS:
NO MESSAGE ANNOTATIONS
MESSAGE:
IMMEDIATE
DE RUFHDB #2668 0491254
o 1812532 FEB 81 ZFF-4
DECLASSIFIED
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
NLRR 748-35-23-1-5
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6214
BY 003 NARA DATE 7/7/15
A 0 N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 00668
LIMDIS
E.O. 120651 RD8-1 2/18/87 (SHANNON, WILLIAM VI OR-M
TAGS: PEPR, PDIP, EI, us
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE HAUGHEY VISIT TO U.S.
1. C-ENTIRE TEXT.
2. DURING A FEBRUARY 15 MEETING WITH U.S. SENATOR
CHRISTOPHER DODD (D-CONN), IRISH PRIME MINISTER HAUGHEY
TOLD AMBASSADOR SHANNON THAT HE PROBABLY WILL NOT GO
AHEAD WITH TENTATIVE PLANS HE HAD TO PAY A PRIVATE VISIT
TO WASHINGTON IN MARCH. HAUGHEY COMMENTED THAT, ON
REFLECTION, HE THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT BE A PARTICULARLY
GOOD TIME TO GO SINCE THERE WOULD BE A LONG LINE OF
GOVERNMENT HEADS WAITING TO SEE PRESIDENT REAGAN. AS
A RESULT, THERE WOULD NOT LIKELY BE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR
GOOD SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND
OTHER U.S. LEADERS.
3. TALKING SHORTLY AFTERWARD WITH AMBASSADOR SHANNON,
SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT DERMOT NALLY SAID NO FINAL
DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN BUT ADDED THAT IT'S "ABOUT 80
PERCENT CERTAIN" THAT THE PRIME MINISTER WOULD NOT TRAVEL
TO THE U.S. IN MARCH.
4. HOWEVER, AT FOREIGN MINISTER LENIHAN'S FEBRUARY 15
LUNCHEON FOR SENATOR DODD, LENIHAN TOLD AMBASSADOR
SHANNON THAT HE HAS BEEN URGING THE PRIME MINISTER TO
UNDERTAKE THE TRIP AND STILL HOPES HE WILL DO so.
*******C 0 N F I D fill N T I A L*******
*CONFIDENTIA
:
4
DATE 02/25/81
WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM
PAGE 002
MESSAGE (CONTINUED):
5. COMMENT. THE PRIME MINISTER'S STATED REASONS FOR
RELUCTANCE TO VISIT WASHINGTON IN MARCH MAY NOT BE THE
ONLY ONES. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT HE WANTS TO STICK
CLOSE TO HOME IN THE RUN-UP TO AN IRISH GENERAL ELECTION
WHICH IS WIDELY EXPECTED HERE TO BE SOMETIME THIS SPRING.
SHANNON
PSN: 006917
TOR: 049/138112
STG: 181253Z FEB 81
*******CONFIDENTIAL*******
10
5
5
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: 2/26/81
NOTE FOR:
DICK ALLEN
The attached was returned in the
President's outbox, and is
forwarded to you for your information.
C. as.
Richard G. Darman
Deputy Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
(X2702)
CC:
OK
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
RECOMMENDED TELEPHONE CALL
Call AM RR 2/26/81
TO:
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
(D-Massachusetts)
DATE:
Before or during State Visit of Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher
RECOMMENDED BY:
Max Friedersdorf
Pam Turner
PURPOSE:
To respond to Senator Kennedy's phone
call to you of February 24, 1981. Senator
Kennedy wants you to discuss the Northern
Ireland situation with Prime Minister Thatcher.
BACKGROUND:
In addition to his phone call, Senator
Kennedy has written you a letter suggesting
that you compliment Prime Minister Thatcher
on the progress she and Prime Minister
Haughey of Ireland are making toward improving
relations between their two countries. He
suggests further that you initiate the idea
of linking a settlement of the conflict in
Northern Ireland to participation by the
Republic of Ireland in defense arrangements
of the Western allies. He thinks the
Irish would be receptive, provided the
settlement involves some form of Irish unity.
Senator Kennedy says he is still trying to
find Ballyporeen on his map of Ireland
and suggests you visit there with him.
The State Department and NSC oppose
Senator Kennedy's initiative and suggest
that you not bring this up with Mrs. Thatcher.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: 1.
You are returning the Senator's call.
Let him outline his pruposals to you,
and mention that you have received his
letter.
2. Thank him for his suggestions on this
sensitive and complex issue. Agree that
the progress toward resolution of this
conflict is encouraging. Tell Lim you
are in the process of developing your
P
agenda for discussions with Mrs. Thatcher
-
Pls
and will take his suggestions under
note
advisement. Do not commit to discuss this
Reva
idea with Mrs. Thatcher.
6A
-2-
3. Thank him for the note about Ballyporeen.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: February 24, 1981
ACTION:
EDWARD M. KENNEDY
MASSACHUSETTS
7
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510
February 13, 1981
DECLASSIFIED
Confidential
NLRR
15-23-2-4
005023
The President
The White House
BY 1COB NAPADATE 7/7/15
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing to express my strong hope that you
will raise the issue of Northern Ireland when you meet
with Prime Minister Thatcher later this month. She and
Prime Minister Haughey made historic progress last De-
cember in moving together toward improved relations be-
tween their two countries, and it would be very construc-
tive if you were to welcome this progress and to support
continued development of their unique relationship.
I believe it would be especially useful for you to
suggest an initiative linking a settlement of the con-
flict in Northern Ireland to participation by the Re-
public of Ireland in defense arrangements of the Western
allies. I believe that the Government of Ireland may be
receptive to participating in such defense arrangements
along the lines described in the brief memorandum enclosed.
By suggesting this approach, I think you would make a major
contribution to the goals of peace and security in Ireland
and in Northern Europe -- and to the well-being of NATO as
a whole.
I hope to discuss this matter personally with you,
if possible. You have my best wishes for a successful
meeting with the Prime Minister.
Sincerely
Edward M. Kennedy
Attachment
CC: The Honorable
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
lam still trying to fina
Bollyporeen on my map of brehamd why don't
we visit there together-
8
CONFIDENTIAL
DEFENSE-RELATED INITIATIVE ON NORTHERN IRELAND
FEBRUARY 13, 1981
A. THE PROPOSAL
1. In addition to other topics on the agenda for
President Reagan's talks later this month with Prime
Minister Thatcher, the President may wish to pursue an
initiative linking a settlement of the conflict in Northern
Ireland to participation by the Republic of Ireland in
defense arrangements of the Western allies.
2. There is reason to believe that the Government of
Ireland may be receptive to participation in such arrange-
ments, provided that the participation is linked to a
long-term settlement on Northern Ireland involving some
form of Irish unity achieved by the consent of the parties.
3. A possible step along these lines would be a joint
defense arrangement between Ireland and Great Britain. It
is possible that such an arrangement might eventually be
linked to the NATO defense structure.
4. A defense arrangement would be a departure
from Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality.
Acceptance of some form of Irish unity would be a departure
from Great Britain's long-standing policy on Northern Ireland.
9
-2-
Therefore, the possibility arises that a significant British
action on Northern Ireland might be accompanied by a significant
Irish action on defense.
5. An initiative from the United States is appropriate
at this time, because of the highly successful outcome of
the meeting in Dublin last December between Prime Minister
Thatcher and Prime Minister Haughey of Ireland. That meeting
pledged increased contacts and cooperation between the two
nations on all issues.
B. Suggested Talking Points for President Reagan's Conversation
with Prime Minister Thatcher.
1. It would be of great importance to our common defense
interests if the Republic of Ireland can be brought into Wes-
tern defense arrangements.
2. I have reason to believe that Ireland may be prepared
to consider such defense arrangements as part of an acceptable
settlement on Northern Ireland.
3. I realize the sensitivity of the Northern Ireland
issue, and I also realize the complexity in moving toward
a settlement that involves some form of Irish unity.
-3-
10
4. The United States stands ready in every possible
way to facilitate a settlement on Northern Ireland satis-
factory to the parties.
5. If Irish participation in joint defense arrangements
can become part of a future settlement on Northern Ireland,
I would welcome it.