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[01/26/1998 – 08/20/1998]
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[01/26/1998 – 08/20/1998]
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Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration)
Thomas "Tom" Shea's Files
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Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. cable
Re: [Irish Terrorism] (7 pages)
03/10/1998
P1/b(1)
002. cable
Re: [Continuity Irish Republican Army] (4 pages)
05/04/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
NSC Cables
Jan 1997 - Dec 1998 ([Enniskillen or Fermanagh])
OA/Box Number: 520000
FOLDER TITLE:
[01/26/1998 - 08/20/1998]
2016-0402-F
ke4252
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)|
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute |(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA|
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRAJ
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes |(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA|
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Page 1 of 4
Cable
PREC: IMMEDIATE
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: OAAUZYUW RUEHBLA0028 0261639-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: O 261639Z JAN 98
LINE4: FM AMCONSUL BELFAST
OSRI: RUEHBL
DTG: 261639Z JAN 98
ORIG: AMCONSUL BELFAST
TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIE 9528
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0061
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 6668
RUEHED/AMCONSUL EDINBURGH 0029
RUEHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 0018
RUESLE/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0008
SUBJ:
VIOLENT WEEKEND FOLLOWS LOYALIST UFF
STATEMENT CLAIMING RE-INSTATEMENT OF
CEASE-FIRE
TEXT:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELFAST 0028
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BULTER
BONN FOR WARLICK
SHANGHAI FOR BARBORIAK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC, PINS, PTER, PREL, PREL, UK, EI
SUBJECT: VIOLENT WEEKEND FOLLOWS LOYALIST UFF
STATEMENT CLAIMING RE-INSTATEMENT OF
CEASE-FIRE
1. SUMMARY: TWO CATHOLIC MEN WERE MURDERED AND
ANOTHER WAS INJURED DURING A WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE IN
NORTHERN IRELAND. A BOMB EXPLODED IN A NIGHT CLUB IN
ENNISKILLEN, COUNTY FERMANAGH BUT NO-ONE WAS INJURED.
THE VIOLENCE WAS WIDELY CONDEMNED. THE INCIDENTS TOOK
PLACE AFTER A STATEMENT FROM THE ULSTER FREEDOM
FIGHTERS (UFF) ADMITTED TO SOME OF THE EARLIER MURDERS,
BUT ANNOUNCED THAT ITS CAMPAIGN HAD "CONCLUDED" END
SUMMARY.
VIOLENCE:
2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23: A 39 YEAR OLD CATHOLIC PIPE LAYER,
LIAM CONWAY WAS SHOT AS HE OPERATED A MECHANICAL
DIGGER IN A STREET OFF THE LOYALIST CRUMLIN ROAD AREA OF
NORTH BELFAST JUST BEFORE 5 P.M. CONWAY WAS TAKEN TO
HOSPITAL BUT DIED A SHORT TIME LATER. NO GROUP HAS
CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER BUT IT IS
GENERALLY ASSUMED BY PRESS SOURCES AND LOCAL
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD029\JAN98\MSGS\M3120049.html
Page 2 of 4
POLITICIANS THAT THE KILLING WAS THE WORK OF THE LOYALIST
VOLUNTEER FORCE (LVF)
3. SATURDAY, JANUARY 24: A 33 YEAR OLD CATHOLIC TAXI
DRIVER, JOHN MCCOLGAN WAS MURDERED AFTER PICKING UP A
GROUP OF MEN ON THE NATIONALIST ANDERSONSTOWN ROAD
AROUND 9.30 P.M. HIS BODY WAS FOUND BY A PASSERBY ON A
COUNTRY ROAD ON THE EDGE OF WEST BELFAST LATER THAT
EVENING. HIS TAXI, APPARENTLY USED AS A GETAWAY CAR, WAS
LATER FOUND BURNED OUT AT THE GIANT'S RING NEAR SHAWS
BRIDGE IN SOUTH BELFAST, NOT FAR FROM THE CONSUL
GENERAL'S RESIDENCE. MCCOLGAN WAS MARRIED WITH THREE
CHILDREN. WHILE NO GROUP HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE KILLING, IT IS AGAIN GENERALLY BELIEVED THE LVF WAS
RESPONSIBLE.
4. THE REPUBLICAN CONTINUITY IRA HAS BEEN BLAMED FOR A
CAR BOMB WHICH EXPLODED OUTSIDE A POPULAR NIGHT CLUB IN
ENNISKILLEN, COUNTY FERMANAGH AT 9.30 P.M. ON THE SAME
EVENING. A TELEPHONE WARNING HAD BEEN RECEIVED TWO
HOURS EARLIER BY A LOCAL PRIEST. HE CONTACTED THE POLICE
WHO EVACUATED SOME 500 CUSTOMERS FROM THE CLUB, WHO
WERE FORCED TO SQUEEZE PAST THE CAR. ARMY BOMB DISPOSAL
EXPERTS WERE EXAMINING THE CAR WHEN THE BOMB EXPLODED.
NO-ONE WAS INJURED IN THE BLAST WHICH WAS ESTIMATED TO
BE 300 LBS IN SIZE, BUT IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE
PREMISES, AND TO HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN A LARGE
SURROUNDING AREA.
5. LATER THE SAME EVENING ANOYMOUS WARNINGS OF BOMBS
CAUSED THE EVACUATION OF THREE HOTELS IN THE BELFAST
AREA - THE MADISON HOTEL ON BOTANIC AVENUE NEAR QUEEN'S
UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH BELFAST, AND THE STORMONT AND
CULLODEN HOTELS IN EAST BELFAST. THE AREAS WERE
EVACUATED AND SEARCHED, BUT NO DEVICES WERE FOUND, AND
THEY WERE LATER DECLARED HOAXES.
6. SUNDAY, JANUARY 25: THE LVF CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A CATHOLIC MAN AS HE SAT IN THE
CAB OF A LORRY IN THE NATIONALIST TAGHNEVAN ESTATE IN
LURGAN, COUNTY ARMAGH JUST BEFORE 8 A.M. THE MAN, WHO
HAS NOT BEEN NAMED, IS IN THE HOSPITAL, HIS CONDITION
DESCRIBED AS "COMFORTABLE." ANOTHER CATHOLIC FROM THE
SAME ESTATE IN LURGAN HAS CLAIMED THAT HE MANAGED TO
THWART AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE ABOUT AN HOUR EARLIER
WHEN A CAR CARRYING THREE MEN STOPPED ALONG SIDE HIM AS
HE WALKED ALONG A ROAD IN THE ESTATE.
CONDEMNATION:
7. THE WEEKEND VIOLENCE HAS BEEN WIDELY CONDEMNED.
SECRETARY OF STATE MO MOWLAM DESCRIBED THE KILLERS AS
"SECTARIAN BIGOTS THAT ARE TRYING TO DESTROY THE PEACE
PROCESS." ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER (UUP) DAVID TRIMBLE SAID
HE WAS "APPALLED" AT THE CONTINUING VIOLENCE AND CALLED
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 BELFAST 0028
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BULTER
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD029\JAN98\MSGS\M3120049.htm)
Page 3 of 4
BONN FOR WARLICK
SHANGHAI FOR BARBORIAK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC, PINS, PTER, PREL, PREL, UK, EI
SUBJECT: VIOLENT WEEKEND FOLLOWS LOYALIST UFF
STATEMENT CLAIMING RE-INSTATEMENT OF
CEASE-FIRE
ON THE KILLERS TO STOP. SDLP LEADER JOHN HUME SAID THAT
THE VIOLENCE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DERAIL THE PEACE
TALKS. HE COMMENTED, "WE HAVE EXTREMIST SPLINTER
GROUPS OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO DERAIL THE PEACE PROCESS THE
VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE WANT LASTING PEACE AND
WANT THEIR POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES TO REACH
AGREEMENT." PROGRESSIVE UNIONIST (PUP) SPOKESMAN DAVID
ERVINE SAID THAT THE KILLERS WERE INTENT ON
"FUNDAMENTALLY DESTROYING THE PEACE PROCESS AND THE
TALKS BY PUTTING ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE IRA TO RESPOND."
ERVINE SAID POLITICIANS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO TALK. SINN
FEIN'S GERRY ADAMS CRITICIZED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S
HANDLING OF THE SITUATION, ACCUSING THEM OF "SUCCUMBING
TO THE ORANGE CARD. ADAMS SAID "THE LOYALIST KILLING IS
ABOUT PREVENTING CHANGE AND INTIMIDATING NATIONALISTS.
WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED."
UFF STATEMENT:
8. THE LOYALIST TERROR GROUP, THE UFF, ISSUED A STATEMENT
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 ADMITTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME
OF THE LATEST MURDERS. THE STATEMENT DESCRIBED THE
KILLINGS AS A MEASURED MILITARY RESPONSE" TO THE
"CURRENT PHASE OF REPUBLICAN AGGRESSION." THE
STATEMENT ADDED, "THAT RESPONSE HAS NOW CONCLUDED,"
AND CONTINUED, "THE UFF RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF
ENDING THE CURRENT CRISIS AND IS PREPARED TO FULFIL ITS
RESPONSIBILITIES. THE REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT MUST NOW REIN
IN ITS DOGS OF WAR.'
9. IN THE WAKE OF THE UFF STATEMENT, POLITICIANS HAVE
CALLED FOR THE GROUP'S POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES, THE
ULSTER DEMOCRATIC PARTY, TO BE BANNED FROM THE
POLITICAL TALKS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN LONDON THIS
WEEK DEPUTY LEADER OF THE ALLIANCE PARTY SEAMUS CLOSE
SAID, "THERE CAN BE NO EQUIVOCATION: NO ATTEMPT TO MIX
POLITICS AND VIOLENCE." THE UUP HAS CALLED UPON THE TWO
GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE THE DECISION OF WHETHER THE UDP BE
ALLOWED TO REMAIN. SDLP LEADER JOHN HUME SAID THE ISSUE
WAS A MATTER FOR DISCUSSION AT THE TALKS.
THE
SECRETARY OF STATE DESCRIBED THE ISSUE AS ONE OF
COMPETING MORALITIES. WE HAVE THE MORALITY OF THE
INTEGRITY OF THE TALKS, THE THREE MURDERS AND THE
MITCHELL PRINCIPLES ON THE ONE SIDE VERSUS TRYING TO HOLD
THE TALKS TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE MORE LIVES ARE NOT
LOST.
STEPHENS
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 02
^SECT>SECTION: 02 OF 02
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD029\JAN98\MSGS\M3120049.html
Page 4 of 4
SSN: 0028
< <^SSN>0028
TOR: 980126114655 M3120049
<^TOR>980126114711 M3120051
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BUTLER SUM2
SIT: NSC
PRT: SIT {c2}
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. cable
Re: [Irish Terrorism] (7 pages)
03/10/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
NSC Cables
Jan 1997 - Dec 1998 ([Enniskillen or Fermanagh])
OA/Box Number: 520000
FOLDER TITLE:
[01/26/1998 - 08/20/1998]
2016-0402-F
ke4252
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA|
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
h(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA|
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes |(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
002. cable
Re: [Continuity Irish Republican Army] (4 pages)
05/04/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
NSC Cables
Jan 1997 - Dec 1998 ([Enniskillen or Fermanagh])
OA/Box Number: 520000
FOLDER TITLE:
[01/26/1998 - 08/20/1998]
2016-0402-F
ke4252
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA|
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA|
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\MAY98MSGS\M3284940.html
Page 1. of 3
Cable
PREC: ROUTINE
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: RAAUZYUW RUEHBLA0210 1331109-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: R 131109Z MAY 98.
LINE4: FM AMCONSUL BELFAST
OSRI: RUEHBL
DTG: 131109Z MAY 98
ORIG: AMCONSUL BELFAST
TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9722
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0260
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 6854
SUBJ:
CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES 500 MILLION DOLLAR
PACKAGE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
TEXT:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELFAST 0210
LONDON FOR POL/HALL
LONDON FOR USDOC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, EINV, ECON, UK, EI
SUBJECT: CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES 500 MILLION DOLLAR
PACKAGE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
1.
SUMMARY: GORDON BROWN, ON THE FIRST VISIT TO
NORTHERN IRELAND BY A BRITISH CHANCELLOR IN EIGHTEEN
YEARS, ANNOUNCED IN BELFAST MAY 12, A 500-MILLION PLUS USD
ECONOMIC PACKAGE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND. THE PACKAGE,
THE LARGEST EVER ANNOUNCED FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, WAS
TWICE WHAT WAS FORECAST. END SUMMARY.
2. SPEAKING BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF POLITICIANS, TRADE
UNIONISTS AND OTHER BUSINESS PEOPLE AT STORMONT MAY 12,
CHANCELLOR BROWN SAID THE ECONOMIC PACKAGE WAS AIMED
AT CREATING JOBS AND PROSPERITY BY MAKING NORTHERN
IRELAND A "BETTER PLACE FOR BUSINESS." BROWN SAID THE
PACKAGE WAS NOT CONDITIONAL ON A "YES" VOTE IN THE
REFERENDUM ON THE MITCHELL PEACE AGREEMENT IN TEN YS
TIME, BUT HE STRESSED THE TRUE BENEFITS OF THE PACKAGE
WOULD ONLY BE FELT IN A PEACEFUL AND STABLE SITUATION.
"THE BEST WAY OF SECURING INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE ISN'T
JUST THROUGH THE INCENTIVES I'M PROVIDING BUT THROUGH
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY AND I THINK THE PEOPLE OF
NORTHERN IRELAND UNDERSTAND THAT."
3. THE CHANCELLOR'S PACKAGE COMPRISES FOUR FUNDS
FOCUSSING ON SKILLS, ENTERPRISE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND
INNOVATION/TOURISM.
F:\Cable\Data_SourceCables\CD031\MAY98MSGS\M3284940.html
Page 2 of 3
EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS - 100 MILLION USD
A NEW DEAL WILL BE OFFERED TO UNDER-25'S WITH UP TO "30,000
OPPORTUNITIES" ON OFFER. THE FUND WILL PROVIDE 16 MILLION
USD TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE FIND WORK. A SKILLS AUDIT OF
NORTHERN IRELAND WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY NEEDS.
ENTERPRISE FUND - 160 MILLION USD
NORTHERN IRELAND FIRMS WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE OFF ALL
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AGAINST TAX IN THE FIRST YEAR, FOR THE
NEXT FOUR YEARS. CHANCELLOR BROWN WILL ACCOMPANY
NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY MO MOWLAM ON A TEN-CITY
TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA THIS FALL. A NEW
VENTURE CAPITAL FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO FUND START-UP
COMPANIES. THE NORTHERN IRELAND BEEF INDUSTRY WILL BE
ALLOCATED 3 MILLION USD TO LAUNCH A MAJOR MARKETING
DRID.
INVESTMENT FUND - 205 MILLION USD
SIX KEY ROAD PROJECTS WILL BE STARTED INCLUDING
IMPROVEMENTS TO BELFAST'S WEST LINK FREEWAY AND OTHER
MAJOR PROJECTS IN COUNTIES LONDONDERRY, ANTRIM, DOWN
AND TYRONE. THE AIRPORT AT SAINT ANGELO IN COUNTY
FERMANAGH WILL BE UPGRADED. EDUCATION WILL ALSO GET
SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS INCLUDING GRANTS FOR INTEGRATED
SCHOOLS AND IRISH-LANGUAGE SCHOOLS. THE PROVINCE'S
WORST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WILL BE IMPROVED.
INNOVATION/TOURISM FUND - 35 MILLION USD
AMONG THE PROJECTS TO BENEFIT FROM THE FUND WILL BE A
SCIENCE PARK FOR BELFAST'S QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TOURISM.
4. THE NORTHERN IRELAND BUSINESS COMMUNITY WELCOMED
THE CHANCELLOR'S PACKAGE AS A "WELL-CRAFTED BOOST" FOR
LOCAL INDUSTRY. INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN ALAN
MCCLURE SAID THE PACKAGE WAS A "BADLY-NEEDED MESSAGE OF
CONFIDENCE." MCCLURE SAID HE WAS PLEASED THE
GOVERNMENT HAD DEMONSTRATED IT WAS PREPARED TO BE
IMAGINATIVE WITH ECONOMIC AS WELL AS POLITICAL ISSUES.
5. THE NORTHERN IRELAND CHAIRMAN OF THE CONFEDERATION
OF BRITISH INDUSTRY (CBI), CHRIS GIBSON, PRAISED THE
CHANCELLOR FOR LISTENING TO LOCAL OPINION IN ORDER TO
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 BELFAST 0210
LONDON FOR POL/HALL
LONDON FOR USDOC
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\MAY98\MSGS\M3284940.html
Page 3 of 3
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, EINV, ECON, UK, EI
SUBJECT: CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES 500 MILLION DOLLAR
PACKAGE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
"CREATE A PLATFORM FOR PROGRESS ON WHICH THE PROVINCE
CAN BUILD." CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOHN
STRINGER WELCOMED THE PACKAGE AND SAID IT WOULD FIND
FAVOR IN MOST QUARTERS.
6. ALMOST ALL POLITICAL PARTIES, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE
REFERENDUM "NO" CAMP, WELCOMED THE CHANCELLOR'S
INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT. CHANCELLOR BROWN REJECTED
DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST CLAIMS THAT THE PACKAGE WAS
DESIGNED TO "BUY YES VOTES" ON MAY 22. HE SAID IT WAS A
PLATFORM FOR LONG-TERM PROSPERITY AND HE HOPE EVERYONE
WOULD SEE IT THAT WAY.
STEPHENS
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 02
<^SECT>SECTION: 02 OF 02
SSN: 0210
<^SSN>0210
TOR: 980513071842 M3284940
<^TOR>980513072053 M3284948
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BOONE BUTLER HAINES KYLE LEE
SIT: NSC
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\MAY98\MSGS\M3312113.html
Page 1 of 3
Cable
PREC: ROUTINE
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: RAAUZYUW RUEHBLA0222 1491048-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: R 291048Z MAY 98
LINE4: FM AMCONSUL BELFAST
OSRI: RUEHBL
DTG: 291048Z MAY 98
ORIG: AMCONSUL BELFAST
TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9733
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0273
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 6864
SUBJ:
EXIT. POLL SUGGESTS MOST PROTESTANTS VOTED YES
TEXT:
UNCLAS BELFAST 0222
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BUTLER
LONDON FOR POL/HALL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PTER, PBTS, UK, EI
SUBJECT: EXIT POLL SUGGESTS MOST PROTESTANTS VOTED YES
x1. SUMMARY: AN EXIT POLL, CONDUCTED BY
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTANTS COOPERS AND LYBRAND
FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES NEWSPAPER, AND PUBLISHED MAY
24, INDICATED THE MAJORITY OF PROTESTANTS VOTED YES
IN THE NORTHERN IRELAND REFERENDUM. IN THEIR POLL,
COOPERS CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS AT 54 LOCATIONS
THROUGHOUT NORTHERN IRELAND'S 18 CONSTITUENCIES.
END SUMMARY.
2. THE OFFICIAL RESULT OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND
REFERENDUM WAS: YES - 71.12 PER CENT, NO - 28.88 PER
CENT. THE TURNOUT WAS 81 PER CENT. IN NORTHERN
IRELAND, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF
THE POLL AS A PROVINCE-WIDE TALLY RATHER THAN BY
CONSTITUENCY, POLITICAL PARTY OR RELIGION. IN THE
ABSENCE OF A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF THE RESULTS,
THE COOPERS' EXIT POLL IS SEEN AS THE MOST
AUTHORITATIVE AVAILABLE, THOUGH ITS FINDINGS ARE
NOT UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED BY POLITICIANS HERE.
3. THE EXIT POLL REVEALED THAT, ON A CONSTITUENCY
BASIS, ONLY IAN PAISLEY'S NORTH ANTRIM VOTED NO.
ACCORDING TO COOPERS, THE NORTHERN IRELAND
CONSTITUENCIES VOTED THUS:
PERCENTAGE
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\MAY98\MSGS\M3B12113:html
Page 2 of 3
CONSTITUENCY
YES
NO
BELFAST NORTH
57
43
BELFAST EAST
72
28
BELFAST SOUTH
85
15
BELFAST WEST
88
12
FOYLE
84
16
EAST LONDONDERRY
65
35
NORTH ANTRIM
45
55
EAST ANTRIM
63
37
SOUTH ANTRIM
62
38
NORTH DOWN
73
28
SOUTH DOWN
90
10
STRANGFORD
67
33
LAGAN VALLEY
52
48
UPPER BANN
60
40
NEWRY AND ARMAGH
82
18
MID ULSTER
79
21
WEST TYRONE
83
17
FERMANAGH/SOUTH TYRONE 87
13
4. BASED ON THESE FIGURES, THE YES CAMPAIGN HAD
THEIR BEST RESULT IN SOUTH DOWN WITH 90 PER CENT
SUPPORT. 17 OUT OF THE 18 NORTHERN IRELAND
CONSTITUENCIES VOTED FOR THE AGREEMENT. THE NO
CAMPAIGN DID BEST IN IAN PAISLEY'S CONSTITUENCY OF
NORTH ANTRIM. THE NO'S ALSO DID WELL IN JEFFREY
DONALDSON'S LAGAN VALLEY, AND IN UPPER BANN AND
EAST LONDONDERRY.
5. IAN PAISLEY, WHO LED THE NO CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE
AGREEMENT, CLAIMED 56 PER CENT OF UNIONISTS
OPPOSED THE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, THE EXIT POLL
SUGGESTS 55 PER CENT SUPPORTED THE YES CAMPAIGN
WITH 45 PER CENT AGAINST. 74 PER CENT OF SELF-
DECLARED ULSTER UNIONISTS VOTED FOR THE YES
CAMPAIGN, ACCORDING TO THE EXIT POLL.
6. THE FOLLOWING FIGURES REPRESENT THE PERCENTAGE
OF VOTES CAST BY RELIGION, GENDER AND AGE.
YES
NO
PROTESTANT
55
45
CATHOLIC
96
4
MALE
68
32
FEMALE
75
25
18 24
70
30
25 -C4
70
30
35 44
71
29
45 59
76
24
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\MAY98\MSGS\M3312113.html
Page 3 of 3
60&
72
28
7. THE VOTES CAST BY POLITICAL AFFILIATION WERE AS
FOLLOWS:
PARTY
YES
NO
UUP
74
26
SDP
98
2
DUP
15
85
SINN FEIN
93
3
PUP
85
15
ALLIANCE
97
3
UDP
77
23
UKUP
2
98
HERE, THE PARTIES WHICH LED THE NO CAMPAIGN, THE
DEMOCRATIC UNIONISTS (DUP) AND THE UK UNIONIST
PARTY (UKUP), POLLED STRONGLY AGAINST THE
AGREEMENT.
8. NOW THAT THE NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTORATE HAS
DELIVERED ITS VERDICT ON THE STORMONT AGREEMENT,
THE NEXT PHASE IN THE PROCESS IS THE ELECTION OF A
108 - SEAT NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 25.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLY ARE TO BE SUBMITTED
MAY 29 THROUGH JUNE 3. SIX SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN
EACH OF THE 18 WESTMINSTER CONSTITUENCIES.
STEPHENS
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 01
SSN: 0222
TOR: 980530015315 M3312113
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BUTLER SUM2
SIT: NSC
PRT: SIT {c2} STEINBERG
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031JUN98\MSGS\M3320270.html
Page 1 of 4
Cable
PREC: IMMEDIATE
CLASS: CONFIDENTTAL
LINE1: OAACZYUW RUEHDLA2970 1551632-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNY CCCCC ZZH
LINE3: O 041632Z JUN 98
LINE4: FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
DECLASSIFIED E.O. 13526
OSRI: RUEHDL
Department of State Guidelines,
DTG: 041632Z JUN 98
September 11, 2006
ORIG: AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
By
LOE
NARA, Date
0312217
TO: RUEHC/SECSTE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3510
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0338
2016-0402-F
RUEHLOB/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0661
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
SUBJ: REQUEST FOR U.S. HELP IN AVERTING CONFRONTATION
DURING UPCOMING MARCHING SEASON IN NORTHERN IRELAND
TEXT:
DUBLIN 002970
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BUTLER FROM AMBASSADOR SMITH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/08
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, UK, EI
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR U.S. HELP IN AVERTING CONFRONTATION
DURING UPCOMING MARCHING SEASON IN NORTHERN IRELAND
REF: BELFAST 223
CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JEAN KENNEDY SMITH. REASON 1.5 (B)
SUMMARY
/
1. (SBU) IN A FERVENT LETTER ADDRESSED TO ME, A FERMANAGH
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN ABOUT A LOOMING
CONFRONTATION IN NEWTOWNBUTLER, CO. FERMANAGH, BETWEEN THE
NATIONALIST RESIDENTS GROUP AND MARCHERS FROM THE ROYAL
BLACK PRECEPTORY (RBP). THE COUNCILLOR CLAIMS THAT AN
AGREEMENT THAT HAD BEEN BROKERED BY REVEREND ROY MAGEE HAS
NOT BEEN HONORED BY THE RBP. HE EXPRESSES CONCERN THAT
DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN ELEMENTS WILL EXPLOIT THE SITUATION,
AND CALLS ON THE U.S. TO EXERT ANY INFLUENCE THAT MIGHT
HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
2.
MARTIN MANSERGH SAID THAT THE GOI WILL LOOK INTO
THIS PARTICULAR MARCH, AND HOPES A MAJOR CONFRONTATION CAN
BE AVOIDED AT DRUMCREE. HE STRONGLY AGREED WITH MY
RECOMMENDATION THAT SECRETARY DALEY'S UPCOMING VISIT TO
NORTHERN IRELAND BE USED TO STRESS THE DAMAGE TO THE
INVESTMENT CLIMATE THAT WOULD ENSUE FROM A REPEAT OF
PREVIOUS YEARS' MARCHING SEASON VIOLENCE (SEE PARA 9).
Page 2 of 4
3.
MANSERGH INDICATED THE GOI IS NOT THAT UNHAPPY WITH
THE OUTCOME ON NOMINATIONS TO THE POLICE REVIEW
COMMISSION. OF MORE SERIOUS CONCERN TO THE GOI, HOWEVER,
IS PROPOSED BRITISH LEGISLATION ON PRISONER RELEASES,
WHICH MAY TRY TO ESTABLISH A LINKAGE TO DECOMMISSIONING.
END SUMMARY
/
4. (SBU) BRIAN MCCAFRREY, A COUNCILLOR IN FERMANAGH
DISTRICT COUNCIL, NORTHERN IRELAND, PRESENTED ME THE
FOLLOWING LETTER DATED JUNE 2, 1998, DURING MY RECENT
VISIT TO CO. FERMANAGH.
TEXT OF MCCAFFREY LETTER
/
5. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT:
A CHARA,
I WAS A MEMBER OF A DELEGATION FROM RESIDENTS GROUPS
ACROSS THE SIX COUNTIES WHICH MET YOURSELF AND A MEMBER OF
YOUR STAFF IN 1996 TO BRIEF YOU ON THE SITUATION REGARDING
LOYAL ORDER MARCHES IN NATIONALIST AREAS. WE FELT THAT
THE BRIEFING WAS EXTREMELY USEFUL TO BOTH SIDES.
I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO
THE SERIOUS SITUATION DEVELOPING IN THE FERMANAGH VILLAGE
OF NEWTOWNBUTLER WHICH IS PART OF THE AREA I WAS ELECTED
TO REPRESENT.
AN AGREEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN BROKERED BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS
GROUP AND THE ROYAL BLACK PRECEPTORY WITH THE HELP OF REV.
ROY MAGEE HAS NOT BEEN HONOURED BY THE R.B.P. THE
RESIDENTS GROUP NO LONGER HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THE
PARADES COMMISSION. LAST YEAR THE RESIDENTS, YOUNG AND
OLD, WERE BATTERED OFF THE MAIN STREET OF THE VILLAGE
WHILST ENGAGED IN A PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINS THE R.B.P.
MARCH.
FEELINGS ARE NOW RUNNING so HIGH THAT I BELIEVE THAT THIS
YEAR'S MARCHES WILL LEAD TO A FAR MORE SERIOUS SITUATION
DEVELOPING. IN PARTICULAR I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE
SITUATION WILL BE EXPLOITED BY DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN
ELEMENTS WHO RESIDE IN THE AREA.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD EXERT ANY INFLUENCE
WHICH YOU FEEL WOULD BE USEFUL IN TRYING TO FIND A
SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU FEEL THAT A MEETING WITH
MYSELF AND/OR THE NEWTOWNBUTLER RESIDENTS WOULD BE USEFUL
THEN PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. YOURS
SINC_, CLLR BRIAN MCCAFFREY.
END TEXT.
MARTIN MANSERGH: PARADES
F:\CableData_Source\Cables\CD031\JUN98\MSGS\M3320270.htmil
Page 3 of 4
/
6.
I MET WITH TAOISEACH'S POLITICAL ADVISER MARTIN
MANSERGH ON JUNE 4 TO GET HIS VIEWS ON THE MARCHING SEASON
AND WHAT THE U.S. MIGHT DO TO HELP AVERT CONFRONTATION.
MANSERGH HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT THE NEWTOWNBUTLER SITUATION,
AND SAID CLLR MCCAFFREY'S LETTER WOULD BE REFERRED TO DFA,
REF: BELFAST 223
WHERE THE MARCHING ISSUE WAS BEING WA
TCHED CLOSELY.
7.
MANSERGH COMPLAINED THAT THE LACK OF DIALOGUE WAS
HAMPERING EFFORTS TO REACH COMPROMISE ON KEY PARADES, SUCH
AS THE MARCH DOWN THE GARVAGHY ROAD. IN THE ABSENCE OF A
NEGOTIATED SOLUTION, IF ANYONE TRIED TO FORCE A MARCH DOWN
THAT ROAD, "MAJOR DISTURBANCES" WOULD ENSUE. MANSERGH
SAID SINN FEIN'S INFLUENCE IS NOT SO STRONG THAT IT COULD
PERSUADE GARVAGHY ROAD RESIDENTS TO ACCEPT AN ORANGE ORDER
MARCH - - EVEN IF SF WERE DISPOSED TO MAKE THIS ARGUMENT.
NEITHER DID LOYALIST PARTIES HAVE ANY REAL ABILITY TO
RESTRAIN MARCHERS WITHOUT LOSING THEIR OWN CREDIBILITY-
8.
MANSERGH SUGGESTED THE PARADES COMMISSION HAD BEEN
PREPARED TO BAN THE MARCH ON THE GARVAGHY ROAD, BUT MAY
NOT DO SO NOW. IN ANY CASE, THE ORANGE ORDER DID NOT
ACCEPT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE PARADES COMMISSION, HE SAID,
AND MIGHT PROCEED WITH THE MARCH REGARDLESS OF THE
COMMISSION'S RULING. DIALOGUE WAS THE ONLY HOPE FOR
AVERTING A CONFRONTATION.
9.
MANSERGH AGREED STRONGLY WITH MY RECOMMENDATION
THAT, DURING HIS UPCOMING VISIT TO NORTHERN IRELAND,
SECRETARY OF COMMERCE DALEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC
SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES TO STRESS, IN A NEUTRAL WAY, THE
HUGE DAMAGE THAT COULD BE DONE TO PROSPECTS FOR INVESTMENT
ON THE ISLAND BY A CONFLAGRATION OVER PARADES THIS SUMMER.
COMMENTS BY THE SECRETARY SHOULD FOCUS ON THE NEED FOR THE
ORANGE ORDER AND RESIDENTS' GROUPS TO PURSUE DIALOGUE AND
COMPROMISE. THIS WOULD ECHO A RECENT CALL BY REV. ROY
MAGEE, WHO HAD POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE REST OF THE
COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND THAT WOULD SUFFER IF
"BATTLES" WERE WAGED OVER MARCHES, MANSERGH SAID.
MANSERGH: POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION
/
10.
(C)
DESPITE PRESS REPORTS DESCRIBING "COLD FURY" IN
GOVERNMENT CIRCLES AT BRITISH ACCEPTANCE OF JUST ONE GOI
NOMINEE TO THE POLICING REVIEW COMMISSION (GERARD LYNCH),
MANSERGH SAID THIS DESCRIPTION OVERSTATED THE TAOISEACH'S
FEELINGS. THERE WAS SOME "ANNOYANCE" AMONG GOI OFFICIALS,
AND THE TAOISEACH HIMSELF WOULD HAVE PREFERRED HAVING TWO.
NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED WITH MORE APPEAL TO NATIONALISTS
BUT THE POLICING REVIEW COMMISSION WOULD CLEARLY BE OF A
"HIGHER CALIBER" THAN THE PARADES COMMISSION. BERTIE
AHERN HAD MET WITH CHRIS PATTEN LAST WEEK, AND HAD COME
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\VUN98\MSGS\M3320270.html
Page 4 of 4
AWAY WITH A POSITIVE IMPRESSION. MANSERGH SAID THE IRISH
HOPE PATTEN WILL MODEL HIMSELF ON GEORGE MITCHELL, RATHER
THAN ON LORD WIDGERY (WHO CONDUCTED THE FLAWED REVIEW OF
"BLOODY SUNDAY"), IN SEEKING A CAREFULLY BALANCED
CONSENSUS ON A WAY FORWARD ON THIS DIFFICULT ISSUE.
MANSERGH: PRISONERS/DECOMMISSIONING
/
11. (C) OF GREATER CONCERN TO THE GOI AT THE MOMENT,
HOWEVER, WAS PROPOSED BRITISH LEGISLATION ON PRISONER
RELEASES, WHICH HAD BEEN PRESENTED TO THE GOI TODAY,
MANSERGH TOLD ME. THERE APPEARED TO BE A "CLEAR LINKAGE"
TO ARMS DECOMMISSIONING IN THE DRAFT LEGISLATION. DUBLIN
WAS STILL CONSIDERING ITS RESPONSE, BUT IT WAS MANSERGH'S
FIRM VIEW THAT THE PROVISIONS OF AN INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENT (THE BELFAST AGREEMENT) SHOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE
OVER DOMESTIC LEGISLATION IN THE EVENT OF A CONTRADICTION.
AND, IN HIS VIEW, TO WITHHOLD THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS FOR
ANY REASON OTHER THAN A RETURN TO VIOLENCE WOULD BE
"PROVOCATIVE." HE DISCOURAGED ANY ATTEMPT TO "IMPORT"
INTO THE AGREEMENT A NEW DEFINITION OF "CEASEFIRE." IF
THE BRITISHHOSE TO GO THIS ROUTE, THE GOI "WOULD HAVE TO
DISAGREE,' HE SAID.
12.
MANSERGH SAID IRISH HISTORY WAS LITTERED WITH GOOD
AGREEMENTS THAT HAD NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY.
WHILE TONY BLAIR'S APPROACH WAS VERY POSITIVE (SEEKING TO
KEEP BOTH SINN FEIN AND THE UNIONISTS ON BOARD), MANSERGH
ASKED RHETORICALLY WHETHER THE PRIME MINISTER REALLY
UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS NEEDED TO FIND A SOLUTION. SMITH
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 01
SSN: 2970
TOR: 980604163739 M3320270
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BUTLER SUM2
SIT: NSC
PRT: SIT {c2}
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\JUN98\MSGS\M3328321.html
Page 1 of 4
Cable
PREC: ROUTINE
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: RAAUZYUW RUEHDLA3088 1611105-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: R 101105Z JUN 98
LINE4: FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
OSRI: RUEHDL
DTG: 101105Z JUN 98
ORIG: AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3547
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0354
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0670
SUBJ: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POLITICAL ROUND-UP: JUNE
1-8, 1998
TEXT:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 003088
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EFIN, UK, EI
SUBJECT: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POLITICAL ROUND-UP: JUNE
1-8, 1998
REF: (A) DUBLIN 2989 (B) DUBLIN 1129
SUMMARY
/
1. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CONCERN IRISH DOMESTIC POLITICS
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APRIL 10 BELFAST AGREEMENT.
POST WILL PERIODICALLY SUBMIT SUCH ITEMS AS A
SUPPLEMENT TO OUR REGULAR REPORTING ON POLITICAL
AFFAIRS AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS. THIS
ROUND-UP COVERS THE PERIOD JUNE 1-JUNE 8:
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER "DRAWS LINE IN SAND" FOR
CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
TAX EVASION FILE TO BE SENT TO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR AS
CORRUPTION CONCERNS GROW
AHERN GETS EMOTIONAL AT FIANNA FAIL CONFERENCE
POLLSTER STRESSES IMPORANCE OF VOTE TRANSFERS IN
JUNE 25 ELECTIONS TO NI ASSEMBLY
AGRICULTURE MINISTER CANCELS APPEARANCE IN THE
NORTH
RUC IN GAA: TOO EARLY TO AMEND RULE 21
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\JUN98\MSGS\M3328321.htmi
Page 2 of 4
END SUMMARY
/
MARY HARNEY "DRAWS LINE IN SAND" FOR CONTINUED
PARTICIPATION IN COALITION GOVERNMENT
2. MARY HARNEY, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LEADER OF
THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS, HAS WARNED THAT SHE WILL
WITHDRAW HER PARTY FROM GOVERNMENT IF FIANNA FAIL
WITHHOLDS ANY FURTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO
I [LAND'S ONGOING "PAYMENTS" TO POLITICIANS" SCANDAL.
HER REMARKS ON NATIONAL IRISH RADIO ON JUNE 6 FOLLOWED
LAST WEEK'S CONCESSION BY PRIME MINISTER AND FIANNA
FAIL LEADER RERTIE AHERN THAT HE "REGRETTED" FAILING
TO INFORM HARNEY OF INFORMATION, AVAILABLE TO HIM
SINCE MARCH, CONCERNING POLITICAL "CONTRIBUTIONS" TO
FORMER MINISTER AND PARTY COLLEAGUE, RAY BURKE, IN
1989 (REF A). THE LONGER-TERM IMPLICATION OF THIS
AFFAIR IS ITS POSSIBLE IMPACT ON PROSPECTS FOR A FF-
LABOUR COALITION AFTER THE NEXT ELECTIONS, DUE IN
2002: THE "DIRTIER" FIANNA FAIL APPEARS, THE MORE
LIKELY LABOUR IS TO GO INTO COALITION WITH FINE GAEL,
WHOSE LEADER, JOHN BRUTON, WOULD AGAIN BECOME PM.
TAX EVASION ADDS TO WHIFF OF SCANDAL IN IRISH PUBLIC
LIFE
3. MEANWHILE, HARNEY, WHO IS ALSO MINISTER FOR
ENTERPRISE, TRADE, AND EMPLOYMENT, HAS REFERRED A
THREE-MONTH OLD INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE TAX
EVASION BY CUSTCMERS OF NATIONAL IRISH BANK (NIB) TO
THE DIRECTOR OF PURLIC PROSECUTIONS (REF B). THE
INVESTIGATION WAS INITIALLY SPARKED BY MEDIA REPORTS
IN JANUARY THAT NIB HAD SOLD OFF-SHORE INSURANCE
PRODUCTS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO FACILITATE TAX
EVASION BY NIR CUSTOMERS, AND IS THOUGHT TO INVOLVE A
NUMBER OF "PROMINENT" WEALTHY IRISH BUSINESS PEOPLE.
ALTHOUGH THE "PAYMENTS TO POLITICIANS" AND NIB
INVESTIGATIONS ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED, THEY BOTH
FORM IMPORTANT PARTS OF ONGOING EFFORTS HERE TO SHED
LIGHT ON WHAT ARE NOW WIDELY PERCEIVED TO HAVE BEEN
ENDEMIC LEVELS OF TAX EVASION AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION
IN THE LATE 1980S AND EARLY 1990S.
AHERN: "WE ARE HONEST AND STRAIGHT PEOPLE"
4. INSISTING THAT FIANNA FAIL IS COMPOSED OF "HONEST
AND STRAIGHT PEOPLE," PM BERTIE AHERN TOLD A WEEKEND
FF WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN ON JUNE 6 THAT PAST
PROBLEMS ARE BEING CORRECTED. TEARS FORMED IN AHERN'S
EYES AS HE VOWED NOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO "JUDGE THE
PRESENT WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST." THE
CONFERENCE ALSO PRESAGED POTENTIAL FRICTION BETWEEN
FIANNA FAIL AND SINN FEIN, AS EMBOFF OBSERVED SOME FF
DELEGATES QUESTIONING THE PRESENCE ON THE SPEAKER'S
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD031\JUN98\MSGS\M3328321.html
Page 3 of 4
DAIS OF SF'S RAIRBRE (BARBARA) DE BRUN ON THE GROUNDS
THAT SINN FEIN WAS SEEKING TO CHALLENGE FIANNA FAIL IN
THE REPUBLIC.
IRISH POLLSTER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF VOTE TRANSFERS
IN JUNE 25 ELECTIONS TO NI ASSEMBLY
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 DUBLIN 003088
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EFIN, UK, EI
SUBJECT: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POLITICAL ROUND-UP: JUNE
1-8, 1998
REF: (A) DUBLIN 2989 (B) DUBLIN 1129
5. JACK JONES, WHOSE MRBI POLLS IN THE "IRISH TIMES"
HAVE BEEN GENERALLY ON TARGET, TOLD US JUNE 8 THAT AN
ANALYSIS SOON TO BE PUBLISHED WILL HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE
OF VOTE TRANSFERS IN THE UPCOMING NI ASSEMBLY
ELECTIONS. HE ESTIMATES THAT UP TO 80 PERCENT OF THE
SEATS WILL BE FILLED BY NON-FIRST PREFERENCE VOTES
I.E., SECOND OR THIRD PREFERENCES WILL DETERMINE WHO
ACTUALLY WINS. ALTHOUGH HE ESTIMATES TWO-THIRDS OF
THOSE WHO WERE "UNDECIDED" VOTED YES IN THE MAY 22
REFERENDUM, HE IS FAR FROM PREDICTING THE EXTENT TO
WHICH DISSIDENT UNIONISTS MAY OR MAY NOT RECEIVE
TRANSFER VOTES. "THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE
TO COPPER-FASTEN THE ASSEMBLY WITH "YES" VOTERS, HE
CAUTIONED.
AGRICULTURE MINISTER CANCELS MEETING IN NORTH
6. AGRICULTURE MINISTER JOE WALSH IS SAYING THAT,
BASED ON "SIGNALS" HE RECEIVED FROM AUTHORITIES IN
NORTHERN IRELAND, HE DECIDED TO CANCEL AN APPEARANCE
AT A JUNE 8 CROSS-BORDER AGRICULTURAL EVENT IN
ENNISKILLEN, CO. FERMANAGH, IN DEFERENCE TO UNIONIST
SENSITIVITIES DURING THE RUN-UP TOTHE JUNE 25 NI
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS. MEDIA REPORTS QUOTE THE BRITISH
MINISTER RESPONSIRLE FOR NI AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS AS
DENYING SENDING ANY SUCH SIGNAL. THE INCIDENT POINTS
OUT THE CONTINUING SENSITIVITY - - FOR BOTH SIDES
INHERENT IN CROSS-BORDER ACTIVITIES OF ANY FORM.
RUC IN GAA: NO EARLY CHANGE IN RULE 21
7. DESPITE EFFORTS BY THE GAELIC ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION'S LEADERSHIP TO DROP THE BAN ON GAA
MEMBERSHIP FOR MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ARMY OR RUC,
GAA DELEGATES VOTED IN DUBLIN LAST WEEKEND NOT TO
AMEND RULE 21 UNTIL RUC REFORM IS A REALITY. GAA
REPRESENTATIVES FROM NORTHERN IRELAND LED THE
RESISTANCE TO CHANGE, DESPITE THE LEADERSHIP'S PLEA
THAT AMENDING RULE 21 NOW WOULD SEND A POSITIVE
F:\Cable\Data Source\Cables\CD031\JUN98\MSGS\M3328321.html
Page 4 of 4
SIGNAL FOLLOWING RATIFICATION OF THE BELFAST
AGREEMENT. A DISAPPOINTED ARCHBISHOP DERMOT
CLIFFORD, PATRON OF THE GAA, HAS ACCUSED THE
ASSOCIATION OF REING OUT OF STEP IN THE MARCH TOWARD
PEACE. UDP LEADER GARY MCMICHAEL HAS VOWED TO SEEK
SANCTIONS ON THE GAA. THE GOVERNING BODY FOR HURLING
AND GAELIC FOOTBALL, THE GAA HAS LONG BEEN A STANDARD
BEARER FOR IRISH CULTURE UNDER BRITISH RULE.
SMITH
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 02
<^SECT>SECTION: 02 OF 02
SSN: 3088
<^SSN>3088
TOR: 980610073455 M3328321
<^TOR>980610073617 M3328324
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BUTLER
SIT: NSC
F:\Cab!e\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\JUL98\MSGS\M3367911.hml
Page 1 of 3
Cable
PREC: PRIORITY
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: PAAUZYUW RUEHBLA0270 1891434-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: P 081434Z JUL 98
LINE4: FM AMCONSUL BELFAST
OSRI: RUEHBL
DTG: 081434Z JUL 98
ORIG: AMCONSUL BELFAST
TO: RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9777
INFO: RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0321
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 6902
RUEHED/AMCONSUL EDINBURGH 0071
SUBJ:
NORTHERN IRELAND SITREP - JULY 8
TEXT:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELFAST 0270
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BUTLER
LONDON FOR POL/HALL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC, PGOV, PREL, PTER, CASC, UK, EI
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRELAND SITREP - JULY 8
REF: A) BELFAST 0262 B) BELFAST 0266
1. SUMMARY: A THIRD NIGHT OF RIOTING IN BELFAST AND
OTHER TOWNS IN NORTHERN IRELAND WAS MARKED BY
CONTINUED TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS, PETROL BOMB
ATTACKS, MALICIOUS VANDALISM, AND CONFRONTATIONS
BETWEEN LOYALIST RIOTERS AND THE POLICE. LIVE
ROUNDS WERE FIRED AT POLICE IN ANTRIM, NEWTONARDS,
AND EAST BELFAST. THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE OVERALL,
HOWEVER, WAS LOWER THAN THAT OF THE PREVIOUS TWO
NIGHTS. IMPROMPTU ORANGEMEN PARADES IN SUPPORT OF
THE DRUMCREE MARCH WERE HELD THROUGHOUT
BELFAST. DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER SEAMUS MALLON MET
WITH A CHILLY RECEPTION FROM NATIONALIST
RESIDENTS ON GARVAGHY ROAD. THE RESIDENTS FEEL
INCREASED TENSION AS MORE ORANGEMEN CONTINUE TO
GATHER AT DRUMCREE. POLITICIANS ARE CALLING FOR
RESTRAINT AND ACCOMODATION, BUT ORANGE LEADERS
ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES TO RESOLVE
THE DRUMCREE CRISIS THROUGH THEIR MEETING
TOMORROW WITH PM TONY BLAIR. END SUMMARY.
2. THE RUC CONTINUED RUNNING BATTLES WITH
PROTESTING MOBS LAST NIGHT IN BELFAST AND OTHER
PROVINICAL TOWNS. IN THE BELVOIR PARK AREA OF
BELFAST, AS WELL AS IN ARMAGH AND DERRY, MOBS
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\JUL98\MSGS\M3367911.html
Page 2 of 3
HURLED PETROL BOMBS AT POLICE AND SET UP ROAD
BLOCKS. ONE BUS WAS HIJACKED AND SET ON FIRE ON
DONEGAL STREET IN WEST BELFAST. MORE DISTURBINGLY,
LIVE ROUNDS WERE AGAIN FIRED AT POLICE, THIS TIME IN
ANTRIM, NEWTONARDS, AND EAST BELFAST. NO INJURIES
WERE REPORTED.
3. ATTACKS ON FAMILIES AND PROPERTY OCCURED IN
BELFAST AND OTHER PROVINICIAL TOWNS LAST NIGHT. IN
NORTH BELFAST, A FAMILY WAS FORCED OUT OF ITS HOME
BY VANDALS HURLING PETROL BOMBS. IN EAST BELFAST, A
HOSTEL FOR HOMELESS WAS SIMILARLY ATTACKED. IN
CARRICKFERGUS, A GUEST HOUSE WAS PETROL BOMBED. IN
LISBURN, A PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS VANDALIZED. IN
LURGAN, PETROL AND NAIL BOMBS WERE THROWN AT
SEVERAL HOUSES.
4. STATISTICS ON THE VIOLENCE OF THE LAST FOUR DAYS
RELEASED BY THE RUC INDICATED OVER 400 SEPARATE
ATTACKS ON MEMBERS OF THE RUC, INCLUDING 12
SHOOTINGS AND 25 BOMBINGS. SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
NORTHERN IRELAND MO MOWLAM STATED THAT THE
REPEATED AND WIDESPREAD ATTACKS WERE A
DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO STRETCH THE RESOURCES OF
THE RUC.
5. IN CONTRAST TO THE CONTINUED VIOLENCE OF SOME
ELEMENTS OF LOYALIST COMMUNITY, LOCAL ORANGE
LODGES IN BELFAST ORGANIZED IMPROMPTU AND FOR THE
MOST PART PEACEFUL PARADES LAST NIGHT THROUGHOUT
THE CITY, INCLUDING THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THESE
MARCHES WERE TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL BECAUSE
ORGANIZERS DID NOT PROVIDE THE RUC WITH 28 DAYS
NOTICE OF THEIR INTENT TO MARCH. SPECULATION EXISTS
THAT LAST NIGHT'S BRAZIL-HOLLAND WORLD CUP SOCCER
MATCH MAY ALSO HAVE LIMITED SOME CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR STEMMING FROM THE MARCHES.
6. IN DRUMCREE, TENSIONS CONTINUE TO RISE ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE BARRIER AS LOYALISTS CROWDS
CONFRONTED RUC FORCES ON BOTH ENDS OF THE
CONTESTED GARVAGHY ROAD. NATIONALIST RESIDENTS
OF GARVAGHY ROAD REACTED NEGATIOLY TO DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER SEAMUS MALLON'S CALL FOR
ACCOMODAION. IN ADDITION, MORE ORANGEMEN
CONTINUE TO GATHER AT PORTADOWN. REPORTS
INDICATE THAT UP TO 4000 ORANGEMEN FROM DERRY AND
1000 FROM FERMANAGH ARRIVED YESTERDAY IN SUPPORT
OF THEIR PORTADOWN BRETHREN. THE BRITIH
GOVERNMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD SEND IN
ADDITIONAL 800 TROOPS TO THE AREA.
7. LEADERS FROM ALL POINTS ON THE POLITICAL
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 BELFAST 0270
NSC FOR STEINBERG/BUTLER
LONDON FOR POL/HALL
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\JUL98\MSGS\M3367911.html
Page 3 of 3
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC, PGOV, PREL, PTER, CASC, UK, EI
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRELAND SITREP - JULY 8
REF: A) BELFAST 0262 B) BELFAST 0266
SPECTRUM, INCLUDING FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE OF
THE UUP, SEAMUS MALLON OF THE SDLP, GERRY ADAMS OF
SINN FEIN, AS WELL AS GARY MCMICHAEL OF THE UDP AND
DAVID ERVINE OF THE PUP, HAVE CALLED FOR NON-
VIOLENCE AND ACCOMODATION. HOWEVER, ORANGEMEN
SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH PM TONY BLAIR TOMORROW
ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES OF REACHING A
SOLUTION TO THE DRUMCREE CRISIS WITHOUT A
REVERSAL OF THE DECISION BY THE PARADES
COMMISSION.
STEPHENS
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 02
<^SECT>SECTION: 02 OF 02
SSN: 0270
<^SSN>0270
TOR: 980708103739 M3367911
<^TOR>980708103754 M3367912
DIST:
SIT: BANDLER BUTLER DAVIDSON RAGAN SCHWARTZ SUM2
SIT: NSC
PRT: HACHIGIAN SIT {c2} STEINBERG
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\AUG98\MSGS\M3429467.html
Page 1 of 9
Cable
PREC: IMMEDIATE
CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED
LINE1: OAAUZYUW RUEHLOA8428 2321102-UUUU--RHEHAAA.
LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH
LINE3: O 201102Z AUG 98
LINE4: FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
OSRI: RUEHLO
DTG: 201102Z AUG 98
ORIG: AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO: RUEHIA/USIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0901
INFO: RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEBBEA/DOT WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8654
RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0587
RUEHOL/AMEMBASSY BONN 1045
RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0503
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1139
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1043
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0891
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0090
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0806
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE VIENNA 0122
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0688
RUEHRL/USOFFICE BERLIN 0033
RUFTVFA/3AF RAF MILDENHALL UK//PA//
RHDLCNE/CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//019//
SUBJ: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
A) BROADCAST MEDIA
THE TOP STORIES ARE FACTUAL REPORTS ON THE CLINTON-LEWINSKY SAGA
AND THE AFTERMATH OF THE OMAGH BOMBING.
TEXT:
INCOMPLETE MESSAGE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 LONDON 008428
USIA
PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
F:\Cable\Data Source\Cables\CD032\AUG98\MSGS\M3429467.htm1
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USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
E.O. 12958: N/A
SUBJECT: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
A) BROADCAST MEDIA
THE TOP STORIES ARE FACTUAL REPORTS ON THE CLINTON-LEWINSKY SAGA
AND THE AFTERMATH OF THE OMAGH BOMBING.
B) MAJOR PRESS STORIES
1. CLINTON
2. AFRICAN BOMBINGS
3. NORTHERN IRELAND
C) SUMMARY
1. CLINTON
THE PAPERS ARE FULL OF POST MORTEMS ON THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH AND
REPORTS ON THE SUPPOSED LEWINSKY-TIE MATTER, AS WELL AS THE
REACTION OF AMERICANS POLITICIANS AND THE IMPACT OF THE SITUATION
ON THE PRESIDENT'S ABILITY TO WIELD POWER.
2. AFRICAN BOMBINGS
THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS ON FBI ACTIVITIES IN KENYA AND
SPECULATION ON WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBINGS IN EAST
AFRICA.
3. NORTHERN IRELAND
THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS OF THE
OMAGH BOMBING ARE DISCUSSED IN MOST PAPERS.
D) TEXT
1. CLINTON
"RESIGN CALL BY DEMOCRATS"
IN THE CONSERVATIVE "DAILY TELEGRAPH" (8/20) :
"FELLOW DEMOCRATS ROUNDED ON PRESIDENT CLINTON YESTERDAY WITH
STINGING CRITICISM OF HIS CONDUCT THAT MANY REPUBLICANS SEEMED
RELUCTANT TO VOICE.
"APART FROM GENUINE DISILLUSIONMENT OVER MR. CLINTON'S CONDUCT,
MANY DEMOCRATS SAW HIS TELEVISION CONFESSION AS JEOPARDIZING
THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS IN MID-TERM ELECTIONS IN TWO MONTHS'
TIME."
"DEMOCRATS TURN ON PRESIDENT AFTER APOLOGY" (8/20)
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IN THE CONSERVATIVE "TIMES" (8/20)
"LEADING DEMOCRATS YESTERDAY TURNED ON PRESIDENT CLINTON, VYING
TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM HIM. THOSE WHO ARE FACING TOUGH
COMPETITION FOR RE-ELECTION, OR NURSE AMBITIONS TO REACH THE
WHITE HOUSE ITSELF, WERE PARTICULARLY CRITICAL.
"THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS WILL NOW METHODICALLY BLOCK
MR'. CLINTON'S FAVORITE PIECES OF THE BUDGET BILL, SUCH AS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 07 LONDON 008428
USIA
PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
12958 N/A
SUBJECT: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. THE SENATE MAY ALSO
PROVE IMPLACABLE ON SCORES OF JUDICIAL AND AMBASSADORIAL
APPOINTMENTS WAITING FOR ITS APPROVAL."
"CLINTON LOSES HIS SUPPORT IN CONGRESS"
IN THE CENTRIST "INDEPENDENT" (8/20)
"EDITORIAL COMMENT IN LEADING NEWSPAPERS - THE FIRST DAY OF
CONSIDERED COMMENT IN MOST OF THE EAST COAST PRESS - WAS HIGHLY
UNSYMPATHETIC, EVEN IN NOTABLY LIBERAL PAPERS SUCH AS "THE NEW.
YORK TIMES" AND "WASHINGTON POST", "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL",
WHICH HAS TAKEN A TOUGH ANTI-CLINTON LINE EVER SINCE ALLEGATIONS
ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MS LEWINSKY FIRST BROKE IN JANUARY,
PRINTED A BATTERY OF COMMENT. THIS WAS LED BY A COLUMN HEADED:
"WHY HE MUST GO" FROM THE CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR, WILLIAM
BENNETT, WHO DESCRIBED MR CLINTON'S TELEVISION ADDRESS AS "THE
MOST DECEPTIVE, SHAMELESS AND SELF-PITYING SPEECH EVER DELIVERED
BY AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT".
"BIRTHDAY BOY FINDS NO TIME TO PARTY"
IN THE LIBERAL "GUARDIAN" (8/20)
"BILL CLINTON'S GRIP ON THE PRESIDENCY BEGAN TO LOOK MORE
VULNERABLE YESTERDAY. HIS EFFORTS TO RIDE OUT THE STORM AFTER
HIS ADMISSION OF AN AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY CAME UNDER
RENEWED LEGAL AND POLITICAL CHALLENGE AS THE FORMER WHITE7HOSE
INTERN PREPARED TO GIVE FRESH EVIDENCE TO A WASHINGTON GRAND JURY
TODAY."
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\AUG98\MSGS\M3429467.html
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"CLINTON'S AIDES DISMISS DISPUTE RUMORS"
"THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY SOUGHT TO BOLSTER SUPPORT FOR
PRESIDENBILL CLINTON AS FRESH DETAILS EMERGED ABOUT DISPUTES
BETWEEN HIS CLOSEST ADVISERS OVER HIS ADMISSION OF AN
INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY.
"WITH MR CLINTON ON VACATION, TOP AIDES DISMISSED RUMORS OF
UNHAPPINESS AMONG SENIOR WHITE HOUSE STAFF AT MR CLINTON'S
TELEVISED STATEMENT ON MONDAY NIGHT.
"WHILE MR. CLINTON'S GAMBLE HAS so FAR PAID OFF WITH THE GENERAL
PUBLIC, A BACKLASH APPEARS TO BE BUILDING ON CAPITOL HILL AND IN
THE MEDIA."
"WOUNDED PRESIDENT CAN STILL STRIKE ABROAD"
IN THE CENTRIST "INDEPENDENT" (8/20)
"THE PILLARS OF THE PRESIDENT'S POWER IN FOREIGN POLICY ARE
THREEFOLDPOLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC, AND MILITARY. POLITICALLY, THE
PRESIDENT WAS ALREADY WEAK AND IS NOW MORE SO. HE CANNOT
REALISTICALLY EXPECT TO GET MANY OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES THROUGH
CONGRESS.
"DIPLOMATICALLY, AMERICA REMAINS AMERICA. IT CONTINUES TO WIELD
ENORMOUS POWER IN EVERY KEY ARENA OF DECISION-MAKING. BUT AT THE
MARGINS, IT WILL BE THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO GET ALLIES TO
PLAY ALONG WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS so OBVIOUSLY WEAKENED; AND
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 07 LONDON 008428
USIA
PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
E.O. 12958:N/A
SUBJECT: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
OPRAH WITH NUKES."
2. AFRICAN BOMBINGS
"EMBASSY BOMBERS PART OF HUGE NETWORK"
FROM THE CONSERVATIVE "DAILY TELEGRAPH" (8/20)
"THE BOMBERS WHO KILLED MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE IN EXPLOSIONS AT TWO
U.S. EMBASSIES IN AFRICA WERE PART OF A WORLDWIDE NETWORK OF
ISLAMIC TERRORISTS ATTACKING AMERICAN INTEREST, IT WAS CLAIMED
YESTERDAY. REPUTEDLY LED BY OSAMA BIN LADEN, A DISSIDENT SAUDI
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\AUG98\MSGS\M3429467.html
Page 5 of 9
MILLIONAIRE IN HIDING IN AFGHANISTAN, THE TERROR GROUP IS SAID TO
HAVE A MEMBERSHIP OF BETWEEN 4,000 AND 5,000 MILITANTS FROM
VARIOUS MUSLIM COUNTRIES, SUPPORTED BY A HUGE ARSENAL OF AIR-TO-AIR M
BASED ON INFORMATION FROM PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS QUOTED
IN YESTERDAY'S WASHINGTON POST, CAME AS THE HUNT FOR THOSE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPLOSIONS AT THE EMBASSIES IN KENYA AND
TANZANIA APPEARED TO BE PRODUCING UNEXPECTEDLY RAPID RESULTS."
"U.S. -BACKED REBELS TURN AGAINST THE WEST"
FROM THE INDEPENDENT "FINANCIAL TIMES" (8/20)
"WHEN THE U.S. THIS WEEK HALVED ITS EMBASSY STAFF IN PAKISTAN AS
A PROTECTIVE MEASURE AGAINST FURTHER BOMB ATTACKS ON AMERICAN
TARGETS ABROAD, IT WAS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING THAT NEIGHBORING
AFGHANISTAN WAS AND REMAINS THE INCUBATOR OF THE MOST
UNCOMPROMISING AND ANTI-WESTERN ISLAMIST FIGHTERS. INDEED, U.S.
INVESTIGATORS ARE WORKING ON THE SUSPICION THAT THE TRUCK-BOMBINGS OF
WERE ORDERED FROM AFGHANISTAN, POSSIBLY BY OSAMA BIN LADEN, AND
WEALTHY SAUDI DISSIDENT WHO LEADS THE ARAB AFGHANS
WHILE THE
ARAB AFGHAN SAGA HAS ITS ORIGINS IN THE COLD WAR, IT HAS BECOME A
POST-COLD WAR STORY OF A DEADLY FORM OF PROLIFERATION WHICH THE
U.S., WHICH OVER-SAW THE AFGHANI RESISTANCE TO SOVIET RULE, HAS
GOOD REASON TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT. PROBABLY TENS OF THOUSAND
OF ARAB VOLUNTEERS WERE DRAFTED INTO THE JIHAD (HOLY WAR) AGAINST
THE RED ARMY, BLESSED AND ARMED BY THE CIA, FINANCED AND NURTURED
BY SAUDI ARABIA, WITH LOGISTICS AND BORDER SUPPORT LAID ON BY
PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE. WHILE THIS JOINT VENTURE DELIVERED A
SATISFYINGLY VIETNAM-STYLE HUMILIATION TO THE CRUMBLING SOVIET
EMPIRE, IT ALSO GAVE BIRTH TO A FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER: AN
ITINERANT ARMYNF HOLY WARRIORS AGAINST THE WEST AND TITS ARAB
AND MOSLEM ALLIES DESPITE ALL THIS, THE U.S. HAS BEEN SLOW TO
RESPOND. WASHINGTON'S ANTI-TERRORIST POLICY HAS FOCUSED ON STATE
SPONSORS OF TERRORISM, LISTING SEVEN "ROGUE" STATES, AMONG THEM
IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA, SUDAN AND SYRIA. THE PHENOMENON IT APPEARS TO
BE FACING NOW, HOWEVER, IS MORE FRAGMENTED, OFFERING NO CLEAR
TARGET FOR REPRISALS BUT WITH AN OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY
EQUIVALENT TO STATE SPONSORSHIP, WHICH THE U.S. ITSELF IS PARTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING PROVIDED THROUGH ITS AFGHANISTAN VENTURE.'
3. NORTHERN IRELAND
"LL REBEL REPUBLICANS' CEASEFIRE BRING REAL PEACE?"
FROM THE CONSERVATIVE "TIMES" (8/20)
"EVEN WITHIN REPUBLICANISM THE REAL IRA LOOKED ISOLATED AND
DISCREDITED, AND NO TERRORIST GROUP COOPERATE WITHOUT A MEASURE
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 07 LONDON 008428
USIA
PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
Page 6 of 9
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
E. O. 12958 N/A
SUBJET: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
OF SUPPORT WITHIN ITS OWN COMMUNITY. THE FEAR IS, HOWEVER, THAT
THE REAL IRA WILL DO WHAT THE PROVISIONAL IRA DID AFTER THE 1987
ENNISKILLEN BOMB - GO TO GROUND UNTIL THE HORROR FADES, THEN
STRIKE AGAIN. IF THAT HAPPENS DAVID TRIMBLE, NORTHERN IRELAND'S
FIRST MINISTER, WILL FACE A MUTINY BY FELLOW UNIONISTS WHO
QUESTION AN ACCORD THAT INVOLVES GREAT SACRIFICES BUT HAS YET TO
DELIVER PEACE. THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE WHAT PAUL BEW, A POLITICS
PROFESSOR AT QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, YESTERDAY DESCRIBED AS
A "GOOD COP, BAD COP" SCENARIO WHEREBY SINN FEIN MEMBERS INSIDE
THE NEW GOVERNMENT DEMAND CONCESSIONS TO AVERT REPUBLICAN
VIOLENCE OUTSIDE.'
"IRISH IN TERROR CRACKDOWN"
IN THE LIBERAL "GUARDIAN" (8/20)
"BERTIE AHERN, THE IRISH PRIME MINISTER, AWARE THAT THE REAL
IRA'S LEADERSHIP IS BASED IN THE REPUBLIC, REVEALED A PACKAGE OF
WHAT HE CALLED DRACONIAN MEASURES AGAINST RENEGADE REPUBLICAN
TERROnSTS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER AN EMERGENCY CABINET
MEETING.
"OMAGH BOMB ATTACK MAY SPELL THE END FOR THE REAL IRA"
IN THE INDEPENDENT "FINANCIAL TIMES" (8/20)
"WITH EACH FRESH ATROCITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND, IT HAS BECOME
TRADITIONAL TO EXPRESS HOPES THAT THE VICTIMS WILL BE THE LAST.
WITH REMARKABLE SPEED, IN THE WAKE OF THE OMAGH BOMBING, HOPES
THIS TIME MAY JUST COME TRUE - AT LEAST AS FAR AS BOMBINGS BY THE
REAL IRA ARE CONCERNED.'
"BREAKING THE CYCLE"
IN THE CONSERVATIVE "TIMES" (8/20)
"THE REAL IRA AND THE PROVISIONAL IRA HAVE THIS IN COMMON: IF
THEY WERE SERIOUS ABOUT PEACE THEN THEIR WEAPONS WOULD BE
SURRENDERED, NOT SUSPENDED. REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE TOLD THAT
DEMOCRATS DO NOT NEED DETONATORS, AND THAT UNLESS THEY ARE
SURRENDERED, THE LEVERS OF POWER WILL ALWAYS BE BEYOND REACH.
"UNLESS VIOLENCE IS NET WITH AN EXEMPLARY RESPONSE THERE WILL
ALWAYS BE REPUBLICANS, AND LOYALISTS, WHO ARE PREPARED TO PICK UP
THE WEAPONS LEFT BEYOND WHEN INDIVIDUAL TERRORISTS ARE
INCARCERATED. ONLY IS VIOLENCE, OR THE THREAT OF IT, IS
COUNTERED WITH A REFUSAL TO BEND WILL TERRORISTS RECOGNIZE THAT
THEIR TACTICS ARE FUTILE. THAT IS WHY THE RIGHT ANSWER TO OMAGH
IS CLOSING DEMOCRACY'S DOOR TO THOSE WHO WOULD CROSS THE
THRESHOLD ARMED, OR WITH ARMS AT THEIR COMMAND.'
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"ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO MORE NEEDED FOR SINN FEIN"
IN THE CENTRIST "INDEPENDENT" (8/20)
"THE OMAGH BOMB WILL BE REMEMBERED IN THE HISTORY OF THE PEACE
PROCESS FOR THE CONDEMNATION SINN FEIN HAS HEAPED ON THE SO
CALLED "REAL IRA". WE MUST HOPE THAT THE IMPACT OF THIS WILL BE
FELT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC IN THAT PART OF U.S. SOCIETY THAT HAS
UNCLAS SECTION 06 OF 07 LONDON 008428
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PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
E.0.12958:N/A
SUBJECT: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, A`GUST 20, 1998
HABITUALLY BANKROLLED REPUBLICAN VIOLENCE UNDER THE IMPRESSION
THAT THE ISSUE IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
"TOO OFTEN IN U.S. IRISH BARS, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH
GENERATION IRISH-AMERICANS ARE HEARD TO EXPRESS VIEWS THAT BETRAY
A PROFOUND IGNORANCE OF THE "OLDE COUNTREE" AND ITS MODERN
HISTORY. BY CONDEMNING THE bMB IN CO, TYRONE, SINN FEIN HAS
REACHED AN AUDIENCE THAT NO AMOUNT OF PEACEFUL WORDS FROM HEADS
OF STATE OR MODERATE POLITICAL LEADERS PREVIOUSLY COULD."
"PEOPLE POWER, FROM THE HORROR, HOPE"
IN THE LIBERAL "THE GUARDIAN" (8/20)
"FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS, AN ATROCITY DESIGNED TO
DRIVE A STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF THE IRISH PEACE PROCESS
APPEARS TO HAVE ACHIEVED<@CTLY THE OPPOSITE RESULT, LAST
MONTH, THE LOYALISTS WHO BURNED THREE CHILDREN TO DEATH IN
BALLYMONEY CREATED SUCH A WAVE OF REVULSION AMONG ORDINARY
UNIONISTS THAT THEY BROKE THE BACK OF THE DRUQDE PROTESTS AND
DECISIVELY ISOLATED THAT MOST BACKWARD WING OF ORANGEISM. NOW
THE MASSACRE PERPETRATED BY THE "REAL IRA" IN OMAG7 - A BOMBING
INTENDED TO CUT THE POLITICAL GROUND FROM BENEATH BOTH GERRY
ADAMS AND DAVID TRIMBLE - HAS LEFT THE SPLINTER GROUP'LEADERS
RUNNING FOREVER IN THE FACE OF HOSTILITY AND RAGE FROM BOTH THE
REPUBLICAN MAINSTREAM AND THE WIDER NATIONALIST POPULATION.
"IRISH BACKLASH"
IN TcMINDEPENDENT "FINANCIAL TIMES" (8/20)
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Page 8 of 9
"THE BACKLASH
AGAINST THE BOMBERS PROVIDES AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY
TO DESTROY THESE SPLINTER GROUPS BEFORE THEY CAN BUILD UP AN
COHERENCE OR MYSTIQUE OF THEIR OWN. IT IS AN EXCELLENT MOMENT TO
REINFORCE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE BORDER."
"UNITED FRONT WILL DEFEAT THESE KILLERS"
IN THE LEFT-OF-CENTER TABLOID "THE DAILY MIRROR" (8/20)
"THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY FALSE DAWNS IN THE BLOODY HISTORY OF
IRELAND BUT IT MAY REALLY BE THAT THIS WEEK HAS SEEN SOMETHING
TOTALLY NEW. THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF
IRELAND."
"STOP PUSSYFOOTING - LOCK THEM UP"
IN THE CENTRIST "THE SCOTSMAN" (8/20)
"LET'S NOT PUSSYFOOT. INTERNMENT OUGHT TO BE USED AGAINST THE
PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF THE OMAGH BOMB AND LET'S SAY IT, INTERNMENT
WILL BE USED.
"THE ENEMY IS ISOLATED, IDENTIFIED, HATED AND SMALL. INTERNMENT
WAS DESIGNED FOR IT. THER%'IS NO POINT IN BEING FLINCHINGLY
APOLOGETIC, INDICATING THAT IT WON'T BE FOR ONG OR IN BEING
AFRAID OF THE WORD. WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF EUPHEMISM, AND MARJORIE
MOWLAM, NICE WOMAN THAT SHE IS, USES TVEM LIKE WET FLOUR.
UNCLAS SECTION 07 OF 07 LONDON 008428
USIA
PERISHABLE INFORMATION - DO NOT SERVICE
USIA FOR I/GWEU; R/C; R/MR; WEU; NEA; VOA NEWS/CA; PL
LSECREST; B/TV/WP;
STATE FOR EUR/P AND PLS PASS ACDA/PA; EUR/PA; EUR/P/SP;
EUR/WE; EUR/NE; IO/CU; NEA/P; EB/TT; INR/P; PM; S/IR;
CSD ISA FOR ILN; FOR NEA; OASD/PA;
USDOC PASS USTR/PA;
WHITEHOUSE FOR NSC-WEUROPE, NSC FOR BERGER;
USMISSION USNATO FOR USIS;
PARIS FOR USIS; UNESCO; OECD;
E.0.12958:N/A
SUBJECT: LONDON MEDIA REACTION REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1998
"THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO SAY PLAINLY: "WE ARE
INTERNING EVERYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH THE
CAMPAIGN TO MURDER PEOPLE."
"I THINK THEY WILL." SMIH
SECT: SECTION: 01 OF 07
<^SECT>SECTION: 02 OF 07
<^SECT>SECTION: 04 OF 07
<^SECT>SECTION: 05 OF 07
<^SECT>SECTION: 06 OF 07
F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD032\AUG98\MSGS\M3429467.hml
Page 9 of 9
< <^SECT>SECTION: 07 OF 07
SSN: 8428
<^SSN>8428
<^SSN>8428
<^SSN>8428
<^SSN>8428
<^SSN>8428
TOR: 980820070318 M3429467
<^TOR>980820070435 M3429468
<^TOR>980820071005 M3429475
<^TOR>980820070711 M3429470
<^TOR>980820071255 M3429480
<^TOR>980820071021 M3429477
DIST:
SIT: NSC