10 July | ||
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1972: Whitelaw's secret meeting with IRA
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw has been involved in secret talks with the provisional IRA in London.
Mr Whitelaw broke the news to the House of Commons as he announced that the two week ceasefire in Northern Ireland had come to an end. Six IRA leaders were involved in the meeting that took place in a private house on Friday 7 July. After numerous approaches by the IRA this was the first time that Mr Whitelaw had met with provisional leaders and he claims that he did so to preserve the peace. In the face of criticism by Conservative backbenchers, Mr Whitelaw said: "I decided that if I were to see these people personally I might be able to do something to save lives."
The demands were: a total withdrawal of British forces; the right to self-determination by the Irish people; and an amnesty for political prisoners. Mr Whitelaw knew the British Government would not accept what was essentially a re-statement of routine and unworkable demands. Before he had chance to discuss the matter with his cabinet colleagues hostilities recommenced in Belfast over the distribution of housing amongst Catholics and Protestants. Mr Whitelaw points to intimidation on both sides and says: "I want to make it perfectly clear that terrorism and extremism in the community cannot be tolerated, that the rule of law and justice must be restored." He has sent a further 1,800 troops to Northern Ireland in preparation for the marching season and to respond to IRA threats that they will use the "utmost ferocity".
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