1990 To The Present
1990-1997 IRL: Mary Robinson is elected President of Ireland. Ireland experiences rapid economic growth. It is called the Celtic Tiger.1990 City: Castle Court and Westside shopping centres are built.
IRL: Secretary of State, Peter Brooke, tells his UK constituency that Britain has no selfish economic or strategic interest in Northern Ireland and would accept unification by consent (Nov 9th).
World: Introduction of public to World Wide Web . Gen. Manuel Noriega surrenders in Panama (Jan 3rd). Yugoslav Communists end 45 year monopoly of power (Jan 22nd). Soviet Communists relinquish sole power (Feb 7th). South Africa frees Nelson Mandela after 27 and a half years imprisonment (Feb 11th). Hubble Space Telescope launched (April 25th). U.S.A. and Soviet summit reaches accord on armaments (June 1st). NATO ends cold war and proposes joint action with Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (July 6th). U.S. Appeals Court overturns Oliver North's Iran-Contra conviction (July 20th). Iraqi troops invade Kuwait and seize petroleum reserves, setting off Persian Gulf War (Aug. 2). East and West Germany reunited (Oct 3rd). Gorbachev assumes emergency powers in Russia (Nov 17th). Leaders of 34 nations in Europe and North America proclaim a united Europe (Nov 21st). Margaret Thatcher resigns as British prime minister (Nov 22nd). John Major succeeds her (Nov 28th). Lech Walesa wins Poland's runoff presidential election (Dec 9th).
1991 IRL: NI Secretary Peter Brooke, says peace talks are "a possibility, not a probability" (Jan 31st). PIRA launch a
rocket attack on 10 Downing Street (Feb 7th).
In March the Birmingham Six are released. The UVF and UFF announce a joint ceasefire for the duration of talks (April 22nd). Bilateral party meetings with Brooke begin, but fail to resolve impasse over venue for North-South talks (April 30th).
The UFF breaches its ceasefire by killing Sinn Féin councillor, Eddie Fullerton, in Co Donegal (May 25th). Three UDR soldiers are killed in a PIRA lorry bomb in Glenanne, Co Armagh (May 30th). Stormont talks begin on June 17th and end on July 3rd. On July 5th the Combined Loyalist Military Command ends its ceasefire.
Brooke meets local party leaders over four days in an attempt to restart talks (Sept. 16 - 20), but with a Westminster election looming in November, no progress is made.
World: United Nations - UK, USA and Allies - at war with Iraq (Jan15th). Warsaw Pact dissolves military alliance (Feb 25th). Cease-fire ends Persian Gulf War. UN forces are victorious (April 3). Europeans end sanctions on South Africa (April 15th). Communist government of Albania resigns. Jiang Qing, widow of Mao, commits suicide (June 4th). South African Parliament repeals apartheid laws (June 5th). Warsaw Pact is dissolved (July 1st). Boris Yeltsin inaugurated as first freely elected president of Russian Republic (July 10th). Bush-Gorbachev summit negotiates strategic arms reduction treaty (July 31st). China accepts nuclear nonproliferation treaty (Aug 10th). Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia win independence (Aug 25th). Israel and Soviet Union resume relations after 24 years (Oct 18th). U.S. indicts two Libyans in 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight over Lockerbie, Scotland (Nov 15th). Anglican envoy Terry Waite and U.S. Prof. Thomas M. Sutherland freed by Lebanese (Nov 18th). Last three U.S. hostages freed in Lebanon (Dec 2–4th). Soviet Union breaks up after President Gorbachev's resignation. Constituent republics form a Commonwealth of Independent States (Dec 25th)
1992 IRL: Three men are shot dead at Sinn Féin office on Falls Road, Belfast, by an off-duty RUC officer who later shoots himself (Feb 4th). Loyalist gunmen shoot dead five Catholics at a bookmakers in Belfast (Feb 5th). On March 9th delegates from four main NI parties meet at Stormont for plenary meeting of new talks. By June 12th these are deadlocked. The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is banned (Aug 10th). On Sept. 2 the talks reconvene and DUP leaders, Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson, walk out a week later but return within three weeks to discuss Articles 2 and 3. Amid indications that talks are leading nowhere, a 2,000lb IRA bomb destroys Belfast forensic science laboratories (Sept 23rd). Unionists withdraw from the talks (Nov 10th).
World: Yugoslav Federation breaks up (Jan15th). Bush and Yeltsin proclaim a formal end to cold war (Feb 1st). USA lifts trade sanctions against China (Feb 21st). Gen. Noriega, former Panama leader, is convicted in U.S. court (April 9th). Four police officers acquitted in Los Angeles beating of Rodney King; rioting erupts in South-Central Los Angeles (April 29). Last Western hostages freed in Lebanon (June 17). Gen. Noriega sentenced to 40 years on drug charges. Court clears Exxon Valdez skipper (July 10th). Israeli Parliament approves Yitzhak Rabin's coalition government, dominated by the Labour Party (July 13th). Police officers acquitted in April on criminal charges in Rodney King beating are indicted on federal civil rights charges (Aug 5th). UN expels Serbian-dominated Yugoslavia (Sept 22nd). Bill Clinton elected president of USA, Al Gore vice president (Nov 3rd). Russian Parliament approves START treaty (Nov 4th). U.S. forces leave Philippines, ending nearly a century of American military presence (Nov 24th). Czechoslovak Parliament approves separation into two nations (Nov 25th). UN approves U.S.-led force to guard food for Somalia (Dec 3rd). Prince and Princess of Wales agree to separate (Dec 9th). Bush pardons former Reagan administration officials involved in Iran-Contra affair (Dec 24th).
1993 IRL: A republican bomb in Warrington, England, kills two children (March 20th). On April 10, Hume and Adams meet for talks arranged by a priest, Fr Alex Reid, and later issue a joint statement excluding an internal settlement and asserting the right to "national self-determination" of the Irish people as a whole.
Ten people are killed following a PIRA bomb at a fish shop on the Shankill Road in Belfast. Gerry Adams later carries the bomber's coffin (Oct. 23rd). Seven people are killed in UFF gun attack in a bar in Greysteel, Co Derry (Oct 30th). “The Observer” newspaper reveals that a channel of communication has existed for years between the IRA and the British Government (Nov 28th). Following talks between the British Prime Minister, John Major, and the Irish leader, Albert Reynolds in the Downing Street Declaration of Dec 15th, Britain commits itself to the search for an answer to the problems in Northern Ireland. It states that the people of Northern Ireland should be free to decide their own future and that representatives of various groups should meet to discuss a solution. Republicans feel the Declaration is not going far enough while Loyalists fear they have been sold out. Sinn Féin is offered a seat provided that IRA violence is ended. As a result the IRA declares a cease fire in August 1994 and this is followed a month later by a cease fire declaration from Loyalist groups.
World: Vaclav Havel elected as Czech president (Jan 26th). U.S. begins airlift of supplies to besieged Bosnia towns (Feb 28th). US Federal agents besiege Texas Branch Davidian religious cult after six are killed in raid (March 1st). Five arrested and a sixth sought in bombing of World Trade Center in New York (March 29th). Two police officers convicted on federal civil rights charges in Rodney King beating are sentenced (Aug 4th). Fire kills 72 as cult standoff in Texas ends with federal assault (April 19th). President of Sri Lanka is assassinated (May 1st). The British Parliament approves the European unity pact (May 20nd). 22 UN troops are killed in Somalia (June 5th). Iraq accepts UN weapons monitoring (July 19th). Vincent W. Foster, Jr., a senior White House lawyer, commits suicide (July 22nd). Israeli-Palestinian accord is reached (Aug 28th). U.S. agents are blamed in Waco, Texas, siege (Oct 1st). Yeltsin's forces crush revolt in the Russian Parliament (Oct. 4). China breaks the nuclear test moratorium (Oct 5th). Canada's opposition Liberal Party regains power in landslide (Oct 25th). Europe's Maastricht Treaty takes effect, creating European Union (Nov 1st). Jean Chretien sworn in as Canada's 20th prime minister (Nov 4th). South Africa adopts majority rule constitution (Nov 18th).
1994 The glass doors at the west front are erected in memory of the Right Reverend William J. McCappin, former Bishop and Archdeacon of Connor, member of the Cathedral Chapter, and Past-Chorister. A service of remembrance and thanksgiving is held on Sept 16th for those who died in the RAF Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kyntyre on June 2nd.
IRL: The Irish Government removes the Section 31 broadcasting ban on Sinn Fein.
Gerry Adams is granted a first visa to visit USA. 25 senior police, army and MI5 intelligence officers are killed when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashes into a hillside near the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse in thick fog. They include some of the most experienced intelligence experts in the country and are described by the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland as a "catastrophic loss in the fight against terrorism" (June 2nd). Six Catholic men shot dead by loyalists in a pub in Loughinisland, Co Down (June 18th). PIRA declares a complete cessation of violence in Northern Ireland (Aug 31th). A similar response the following month is made by Loyalist groups (Oct 13rd). Prime Minister Major announces exploratory talks with Sinn Fein and lifts exclusion orders from mainland Britain on Adams and senior Sinn Fein official Martin McGuiness (Oct 21st). British troops stop patrolling streets of Derry, for first time in 25 years (Oct 24th). On Oct 28th the Irish government opens A Forum for Peace and Reconciliation to discuss a political settlement. Adams visits British House of Commons (Nov 17th). British army makes first troop reduction in Northern Ireland since IRA cease-fire, though only a few hundred troops are removed (Nov 23rd). The first official meeting between British officials and Sinn Féin is held on Dec 9th. Decommissioning is a major stumbling block.
World: Serbs' heavy weapons pound Sarajevo (Jan 5–6). Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan attacked (Jan 6th); three are arrested for the attack (Jan 13th). A major earthquake jolts Los Angeles; 51 dead (Jan 17th). President Clinton ends trade embargo on Vietnam (Feb 9th). Four convicted in World Trade Center bombing (March 4th). Mexican presidential candidate assassinated (March 23rd). Rwandan genocide of Tutsis by Hutus begins. An estimated 800,000 are slaughtered in about 100 days (April 6th). South Africa holds first interracial national election (April 29th) and Nelson Mandela is elected president. Israel and Palestinians sign an accord (May 4th). President Clinton is accused of sexual harassment whilst he was Governor of Arkansas (May 6th). O. J. Simpson arrested in killings of wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend, Ronald Goldman (June 18th). US Supreme Court approves limit on abortion protests (June 30th). Women's health clinic doctor shot dead outside Florida clinic (July 29th). “Carlos the Jackal,” an international terrorist, is captured (Aug15th). A small plane crashes into White House (Sept 12th). Baseball owners end season and cancel World Series following a players’ strike (Sept 14th). A powerful earthquake strikes Japan (Oct 4th). U.S. sends forces to Persian Gulf (Oct 7th). Israel and Jordan sign a peace treaty (Oct 17th). Former US President, Ronald Reagan, 83, reveals he has Alzheimer's disease (Nov 6th). President Clinton orders the Bosnian arms embargo to be ended (Nov 10th). Russians attack secessionist Republic of Chechnya (Dec 11th).
1995 IRL: Army ends daytime patrols in Belfast (Jan 12th). British Gov't acknowledges that cross-border bodies with executive powers will be proposed for Northern Ireland (Jan 19th). John Major and new Irish Prime Minister John Bruton unveil joint framework document on a political settlement for Northern Ireland (Feb 22nd). British government minister holds first talks with leaders of Protestant political parties linked to loyalist guerrilla groups (March 22nd). Sinn Féin pulls out of talks with Britain (June 17th). In July Gerry Adams tells Sinn Fein party rally the "IRA has not gone away". British and Irish governments announce "twin track" process setting end of February 1996 for start of all-party talks (Nov 28th).President Clinton shakes Adams' hand in Falls Road cafe during his visit to Belfast (Nov 30 th). The head of the International Body on Decommissioning, former US senator George Mitchell, invites submissions on arms decommissioning from all parties (Dec 5th). Sinn Fein holds first talks with Britain's Northern Ireland secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, under twin-track process (Dec 19th). Seamus Heaney wins the Nobel prize for Literature. The people of the Republic of Ireland vote in a referendum to allow divorce (Nov 24th).
World: Republicans take control of US Congress (Jan 4th). More than 5,000 are killed in Japanese earthquake (Jan17th). Criminal trial of O. J. Simpson opens in California (Jan 24th). Nerve gas attack in Tokyo subway kills eight and injures thousands. The Aum Shinrikyo (“Supreme Truth”) cult is to blame (March 20th). Baseball strike ends in USA (April 2nd). UN Council votes for easier sanctions for Iraq (April 14th). Scores killed as terrorist's car bomb blows up Oklahoma City federal building (April 19th). Timothy McVeigh, 27, a US army veteran is arrested as suspect (April 21st). Death toll of 2,000 in a massacre in Rwanda (April 22nd). Fighting escalates in Bosnia and Croatia (May 1st). U.S. shuttle docks with Russian space station (June 27th). France explodes nuclear device in Pacific; wide protests ensue (Sept 5th). Israelis and Palestinians agree on transferring the West Bank to Arabs (Sept 24th). Los Angeles jury finds O. J. Simpson not guilty of murder charges (Oct 3rd). Pope John Paul II visits USA on whirlwind tour (Oct 4–8). Warring parties agree on cease-fire in Bosnia (Oct 5th). Quebec narrowly rejects independence from Canada (Oct 30th). Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin is killed by a Jewish extremist at a peace rally (Nov 4th). Nigeria hangs writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other minority rights advocates (Nov 10th). Combatants sign Bosnia peace treaty (Dec 14th).
1996 IRL: The Mitchell report is published, laying down six principles of non-violence for entry into all-party talks. Mitchell proposes all-party talks alongside a phased surrender of guerrilla weapons. John Major proposes elections in Northern Ireland to pave way for talks (Jan 26th).The IRA ceasefire ends with a one tonne bomb in London's Canary Wharf district, killing two people (Feb 9th).
In Northern Ireland Forum elections for participation in all-party talks, Sinn Féin polls a record vote (May 30th). Detective Garda Jerry McCabe is shot dead during a post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick, which gardaí say had the hallmarks of an IRA raid (June 7th).Sinn Féin are barred from the opening of inter-party talks(June 10th). Five days later a1.5 tonne van bomb rips through Manchester city centre. On
July 7th a Catholic taxi-driver, Michael McGoldrick, is shot dead near Lurgan, Co Armagh by the UVF. A 1,200lb car bomb devastates the Killyhevlin Hotel at Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, injuring 40 people. This comes after a week of rioting after the RUC forced an Orange march down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown following a standoff. Security sources blame the INLA (July 13). Two IRA bombs at the army's Northern Ireland HQ, Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, Co Antrim, kills one soldier (Oct 7th). Gaelic T.V. begins in the Republic.
World: U.S. budget crisis in fourth month (Jan 3). Clinton approves resumption of many government operations (Jan. 6). Senate ratifies major arms reduction treaty (Jan. 26). France announces end to nuclear tests (Jan. 29). At least 73 dead in Sri Lankan suicide bombing (Feb. 1). Suicide bombers kill 59 in Israel (March 4). Bob Dole sweeps Republican primaries (March 5). Britain alarmed by deadly cow disease (March 20 et seq.). UN tribunal charges war crimes by Bosnian Muslims and Croats (March 22). Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown killed in plane crash (April 3). FBI arrests suspected Unabomber (April 3). Clinton signs line-item veto bill (April 9). President blocks ban on late-term abortions (April 10). ValuJet crashes in Everglades; all 110 aboard killed (May 11). Chechnya peace treaty signed (May 27). Israel elects Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister (May 31). China agrees to world ban on atomic testing (June 6). Leaders in Balkans sign accord on arms limits (June 14). Jazz great Ella Fitzgerald dies (June 15). Truck bomb kills 19 at U.S. base in Saudi Arabia (June 25). Boris Yeltsin is reelected in Russian election (July 3). Prince Charles and Princess Diana agree on divorce (July 12). 747 airliner crashes in Atlantic off Long Island; all 230 aboard perish (July 17). Bomb mars Summer Olympic games in Atlanta (July 25). Clinton signs bill to raise minimum wage (Aug. 2). Congress passes welfare reform bill (Aug. 2); approved by Clinton (Aug. 22). Republican convention opens in San Diego (Aug. 12); Bob Dole and Jack Kemp nominated (Aug. 14). Democrats convene in Chicago (Aug. 26). Iraqis strike at Kurdish enclave (Aug. 31); after warning, U.S. attacks Iraq's southern air defenses (Sept. 2–3); Iraq halts attacks on U.S. planes enforcing flight exclusion zones in north and south (Sept. 13). Violence flares in Jerusalem over Israel opening tourist tunnel (Sept. 24). Taliban Muslim fundamentalists capture Afghan capital (Sept. 27). Ethnic violence breaks out in Zairian refugee camps (Oct. 13); thousands of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi abandon camps (Oct. 21). Clinton-Gore ticket wins national election; Republicans retain control of Congress (Nov. 5). Mid-air collision in India kills 342 (Nov. 12). Texaco settles racial bias suit (Nov. 15). Hundreds of thousands of Hutu refugees return to Rwanda (Nov. 15–18). Clinton appoints Madeleine Albright as first female U.S. secretary of state (Dec. 5). Kofi Annan named UN secretary-general (Dec. 13). FBI agent charged with spying for Moscow (Dec. 18). Thousands march in Belgrade in continuing protest against president's annulment of election results (Dec. 26).
1997 City: Waterfront concert hall opens.
IRL: Loyalist Volunteer Force leader Billy Wright is jailed for eight years for threatening a witness (March 7th). Parades Commission formed, chaired by Alistair Graham(March 20th). An IRA bomb warning causes the evacuation of Aintree racecourse just before the Grand National (April 5th).Labour Party under Tony Blair sweeps the Conservatives out of office (May 1st). Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness elected to Westminster. Blair visits NI and gives the go ahead for exploratory contacts between government officials and Sinn Féin (May 16th). On
June 6th Bertie Ahern becomes Taoiseach after a narrow election win for Fianna Fail. Blair bans further contact with Sinn Féin following IRA shooting of two RUC men in Lurgan, Co Armagh (June 16th). On July 6th army and police surround flashpoints in Portadown and allow an Orange march down the Garghavy Road. The march is followed by widespread violence with more than 600 petrol bombs thrown, 200 car hijackings and 500 attacks on the security forces. July 20: The IRA announces a second "complete cessation of military operations". Sinn Fein meets British government representatives (July 28th). An international decommissioning body is set up to oversee the handover of weapons but no progress is made (Aug 26th). On Aug 29th Secretary of State for NI, Mo Mowlam, announces that an IRA ceasefire is sufficient for Sinn Féin to enter talks.Sinn Féin signs up to the Mitchell Principles (Sept. 9th) and enters all party-talks (Sept 15th). Sept. 12: The IRA rejects the Mitchell Principles.The Ulster Unionists join the talks (Sept 17th) .The DUP boycotts talks. On Oct 7th all sides sit down at Stormont for talks for the first time in 25 years. Adams and McGuinness meet Blair for the first time at Stormont (Oct 13th). In December Adams visits Blair in Downing Street. LVF leader Billy Wright is killed inside the Maze Prison by the INLA (Dec 27th). His death sparks off a cycle of deaths lasting until late January as loyalists exact revenge. Loyalist prisoners of the UFF and UDA vote for their political representatives to leave the talks but Mo Mowlam pays them a personal visit on Jan 9th and they reverse their decision. Mary McAleese becomes President of the Republic of Ireland.
World: Two Hutu sentenced to death in Rwandan genocide (Jan 3rd). Floods cause wide damage in U.S. West (Jan. 5th). Newt Gingrich reelected as House Speaker (Jan. 7th). Hebron agreement signed; Israel gives up large part of West Bank city of Hebron (Jan. 16th). U.S. shuttle joins Russian space station (Jan. 17th). Gingrich found guilty of ethics violations (Jan. 17th). President Clinton starts second term (Jan. 20th). U.S., U.K., and France agree to freeze Nazis' gold loot (Feb. 3rd). O. J. Simpson found liable in civil suit (Feb. 5th). Deng Xiaoping, Chinese leader, dead at 92 (Feb. 19th). Israeli government approves establishment of Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem, a setback in Middle East peace process (Feb. 26th). Tornadoes wreak havoc in Arkansas, Ohio, and Kentucky (March 3rd). State of anarchy in Albania when third of population loses savings because of pyramid schemes (March 13th). Hale-Bopp comet is the closest it will be to Earth until 4397 (March 22nd). Heaven's Gate cult members commit mass suicide in California (March 27th). U.S. Appeals Court upholds California ban on affirmative action (April 8th). U.S. judge upholds California marijuana law (April 11th). Tiger Woods breaks multiple records in Masters golf tournament (April 13th). Fire kills 300 pilgrims outside Mecca (April 15th). Senate, 74–26, approves chemical-weapons treaty (April 24th). Thousands flee North Dakota flood (April 27th). Sergeant Major of the Army, Gene C. McKinney, charged in sex cases (May 7th). Russian president Yeltsin signs Chechnya peace treaty (May 12th). U.S.-Russian spaceship linkup in orbit ends (May 21). U.S. jobless rate for May reported 4.8%, lowest since 1973 (June 6th). European Union bolsters currency merger (June 16th). Congress votes major tax cuts (June 26th). Hong Kong returns to Chinese rule (June 30th). U.S. spacecraft begins exploration of Mars (July 4th). Khmer Rouge hold trial of longtime leader Pol Pot (July 25th). U.S. spacecraft transmits thousands of pictures from Mars (Aug. 8th). Timothy J. McVeigh sentenced to death for Oklahoma City bombing (Aug. 14th). Princess Diana, 36, killed with two others in Paris car crash (Aug. 31st). Three Islamic suicide bombers kill four persons in Jerusalem (Sept. 4th). Mother Teresa dies aged 87 (Sept. 5th). Swiss plan first payment to Holocaust victims (Sept. 17th). Militant Taliban leaders seize Kabul (Sept. 27). Iraq expels all U.S. members of UN arms-inspection team (Oct. 29). GOP victorious in off-year elections (Nov. 4). Pakistani convicted in 1993 CIA killings (Nov. 10th). Two convicted in New York World Trade Center bombing (Nov. 12th). Egyptian Islamic militants kill 62 at Luxor tourist site (Nov. 17th). FBI ends 16-month investigation of crash of Flight 800 off Long Island; denies sabotage (Nov. 18th). European Union plans to admit six nations (Dec. 13th). Paris court convicts “Carlos the Jackal” of murder (Dec. 24th).
1997 - 98 IRL: In 1997 the British government proposed a resumption of peace talks. Once again Sinn Féin were invited on condition that a six-week cease fire had been observed. In July 1997 the IRA announced the cease fire.
1998 City: Forrestside shopping centre opens.
IRL: Tit-for-tat violence between splinter groups kills 18 people.The UFF admits taking part in three killings (Jan 23rd). The UDP, which is linked to the UFF, walks out of talks before it is expelled (Jan 26th). Blair announces an independent judicial inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972 (Jan 29th). The IRA is blamed by the RUC for two killings (Feb 20th). It says its ceasefire is still intact and Sinn Fein protests angrily when it is suspended from the talks until March 9th. The UDP returns to talks (Feb 23rd). Sinn Fein takes its seat again in talks (March 23rd). George Mitchell sets a deadline of April 9th for agreement. On April 10th,17 hours after the deadline set by Mitchell, after months of discussion all parties announce a deal has been struck. It is Good Friday. The terms in brief are:
- Ireland shall not be one united country without the consent of a majority in Northern Ireland.
- The people of Northern Ireland have the right to call themselves either Irish or British.
- A multi party assembly will be elected to govern the community.
- A north/south council be set up to consider areas of mutual interest.
- An Anglo-Irish council be set up to consider areas of mutual interest.
- All people shall have basic human rights, civil rights and equality.
- Linguistic diversity to be recognised - Irish to be taught in all schools.
- Paramilitary groups to be decommissioned within two years.
- A gradual reduction in the number of security forces deployed in Northern Ireland.
- To work towards having an unarmed police force.
- Political prisoners to be released providing the ceasefire is maintained.
It is a landmark accord in the search for peace in Northern Ireland because of the clause that calls for "the decommissioning of illegally-held arms in the possession of paramilitary groups."
The IRA issues a statement saying the Good Friday Agreement falls short of what will provide a lasting peace process and it has no plans to decommission its weapons(April 30th).
April-May: The 'Yes' campaign for the Agreement stages a rock concert in which the pop group U2, David Trimble and John Hume appear together on the same stage. Three days later (May 22nd) referendums in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland show that an overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland support the Good Friday Agreement. On July 1st the first sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly sees David Trimble of the UUP elected First Minister and Seamus Mallon of the SDLP elected Deputy First Minister by the Assembly. A car bomb blast in Omagh kills 29 and injures hundreds. The Real IRA, a splinter group of the faction, claims responsibility for this attack which is referred to as the worst in 30 years (Aug 15th). Ulster Unionist Party First Minister David Trimble and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Leader John Hume win the Nobel Peace Prize for working to implement the Good Friday Agreement (Dec 11th).
World: Ramzi Ahmed Yousef sentenced to life for 1993 World Trade Center bombing (Jan 9th). Pope John Paul II visits Cuba (Jan 21st–25th). President accused in White House sex scandal; denies allegations of affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky (Jan 21st et seq.). President outlines first balanced budget in 30 years (Feb. 3rd). U.S. plane cuts ski cable in Italy and sends car plunging; 20 killed (Feb 3rd). Thousands dead in Afghanistan quake (Feb 4th et seq.). Serbs battle ethnic Albanians in Kosovo (March 5th et seq.). U.S. drops condemnation of China's human rights record (March 13th). Hindu nationalist Vajpayee becomes India's prime minister (March 19th). FDA approves Viagra, male impotence drug (March 27th). U.S. trade deficit biggest in decade (April 17th). Europeans agree on single currency, the euro (May 3rd). Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski, sentenced to four life terms (May 4th). India conducts three atomic tests despite worldwide disapproval (May 11th, 13th). Indonesian dictator Suharto steps down after 32 years in power (May 21st). Pakistan stages five nuclear tests in response to India's (May 29th, 30th). Serbs renew attack on Kosovo rebels (June 1st). Life sentence meted out to Terry Nichols, convicted in Oklahoma City bombing fatal to 168 (June 4th). Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha dies (June 8thh). Iraq ends cooperation with UN arms inspectors (Aug 5th). U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania bombed (Aug 7th). Clinton admits to affair with White House intern in televised address to nation (Aug 17th). Russia fights to avert financial collapse (Aug 17th). U.S. cruise missiles hit suspected terrorist bases in Sudan and Afghanistan (Aug 20th). North Korea fires missile across Japan (Aug 31th). Swissair jet crashes; kills 229 (Sept 2nd). Starr Report by independent counsel outlines case for impeachment proceedings against President US (Sept 11th). Senate sustains veto of bill to outlaw late-term abortions (Sept 18th). Iran lifts death threat against Salman Rushdie (Sept 24th). German chancellor Helmut Kohl defeated by Gerhard Schröder (Sept 27th). U.S. budget surplus largest in three decades (Oct 5th). Matthew Shepard, gay Wyoming student, fatally beaten in hate crime (Oct 6th). NATO, on verge of air strikes, reaches settlement with Milosevic on Kosovo (Oct 12th). Former Chilean dictator Pinochet arrested in London (Oct 16th). Wye Mills Agreement between Netanyahu and Arafat moves Middle East peace talks forward (Oct 23rd). More than 10,000 die in Central American hurricane, Mitch (Nov 1st). Democrats unexpectedly gain five House seats in national election; Republicans keep control of House and Senate (Nov. 3rd). House Speaker Gingrich to step down (Nov 9th). House panel drafts impeachment charges; votes along party lines to approve four articles (Dec 11th–12th). Clinton orders air strikes on Iraq (Dec 16th–19th). House impeaches President Clinton along party lines on two charges, perjury and obstruction of justice (Dec 19th).
1998-99 Boundary walls to the cathedral precints erected and major work completed at the west front to allow wheelchair access.
1999 IRL: On Jan 27th, Eamon Collins, a self-confessed killer and IRA defector who wrote a damning book of the organization in 1996, is stabbed and bludgeoned to death as he takes an early morning walk near his home. The attack is widely seen as a revenge killing, though no group claims responsibility. Meanwhile, so-called "punishment killings" continue within the unionist and nationalist communities, raising concern that the rough justice meted out by sectarian groups will continue despite the peace process. This violence threatens to hold up the creation of the province’s first all-party cabinet in February.
On Feb 16th rival members elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998 reach an accord for an all-party cabinet, which paves the way for a new system of government and a hand-over of power from London in March. After two days of intense talks and negotiations, the plan, put forth by First Minister and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon of the mostly Roman Catholic Social Democratic and Labour Party, is approved by a vote of 77-29. The vote is nearly derailed by unionist representatives who want the IRA to begin decommissioning its large weapons stashes before the Assembly assumes power.
On March 10th a second deadline for appointing a Northern Ireland cabinet as called for in the "Good Friday agreement" passes with no resolution to the deadlock in sight. David Trimble, Northern Ireland's "First Minister" and leader of the largest Unionist party, insists that the IRA's political allies, Sinn Fein, will not be allowed to join a provincial government until the IRA begins to disarm.
On May 15th after weeks of talks between Irish and British officials, the IRA refuses to commit to a disarmament date. After the IRA refusal to make a disarmament commitment, Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair announces an "absolute deadline" of June 30th for resolution of the impasse in the hope that Northern Ireland's new government could be formed on July 1st. That is also the date that Scotland's new parliament and the new assembly in Wales will hold their first sessions.
On June 30th Blair’s "absolute deadline" comes and goes. Sinn Fein gets IRA backing for a plan to let the formation of the new government immediately "trigger" a decommissioning timeline. But Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and party members balk, throwing the future of the peace process into doubt. Britain calls for a review of the peace agreement.
On July 12th The Orange Order cuts back on its annual marches after British troops mount one of the tightest security operations in the history of the Troubles. The marches of the Orange Order and other groups pass off with relatively little conflict between police, unionists and nationalists.
On July 21st alleging frustration with the Ulster Unionists and the stalled peace process, on the second anniversary of its 1997 cease-fire the IRA threatens to return to its armed struggle in Northern Ireland. The paramilitary statement coincides with the return of peace deal architect and American mediator George Mitchell to Northern Ireland to try and salvage the peace process. The IRA rejects a disarmament proposal set out by the Ulster Unionists (Aug 14).
George Mitchell concludes meetings with all Northern Ireland parties, and promises to return on Sept 6 to act as a facilitator for a formal review on the status of the Northern Ireland peace process. He is as good as his word and he returns to Belfast and prepares to begin a rescue effort to halt the disintegration of the peace agreement he helped broker in April 1998. He says that failure would be "unforgivable." Relations between the unionist and nationalist sides in the conflict have deteriorated to their worst level since the accord was signed.
On Sept 9th an independent report (the Patten report) on policing in Northern Ireland is published. It recommends that the unionist-dominated police force be dramatically cut and radically overhauled, with a new name, new oath and new recruits - including women and nationalists. The drafting group was chaired by Chris Patten, a former direct rule minister.
The IRA on Nov 16th breathes new life into the peace process by agreeing to join a panel to discuss the disarmament of the province's paramilitary groups. The move goes a long way toward meeting unionist demands that disarmament work begin before the IRA's political allies, Sinn Fein, could take their place in the new provincial government. The IRA says it would appoint a representative to the arms commission and underscores in a statement that they see the full implementation of the historic April 1998 accords as the best way to ensure peace in Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Council backs a plan by former U.S. senator George Mitchell to rescue the peace process and set up a power-sharing government (Nov 18th).
For the first time since 1972, the British government on Dec 2nd transfers power back to a locally elected government in Belfast to administer the day-to-day affairs of the province. The new Northern Ireland government begins self-rule for first time in 25 years. The "devolution" of power is the culmination of the April 1998 "Good Friday" peace accord, which has been delayed by the dispute over IRA disarmament.
World: U.S. agrees to ease restrictions on Cuba (Jan 4th). Dennis Hastert elected to replace Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House (Jan 6th).King Hussein of Jordan dies (Feb 7th). Senate acquits President Clinton of impeachment charges (Feb 12th). Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo elected president of Nigeria (Feb 28th). First nonstop balloon flight around world completed in 20 days by Bertrand Piccard (Switzerland) and Brian Jones (UK) (March 1st–20th). Marine pilot acquitted in killing of 20 in 1998 Italian ski gondola accident; Italians outraged (March 4th). U.S. accuses China of stealing nuclear secrets (March 5th). Joe DiMaggio dies at age 84 (March 8th). Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary join NATO (March 12th). NATO launches air strikes on Serbia to end attacks against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo (March 24th). Dr. Jack Kevorkian convicted of second-degree murder in assisted-suicide case (March 26th).Libya hands over two suspects in 1988 Pan Am jet bombing (April 5th). Two students go on shooting spree in Columbine High School,US, killing 15, including themselves (April 20th). NATO bombs mistakenly hit Chinese embassy in Belgrade (May 7th). Crime rate in U.S. falls for seventh consecutive year (May 16th). Ehud Barak defeats Benjamin Netanyahu in Israeli prime minister election (May 17th). U.S. inspects suspected nuclear weapons site in North Korea, finds nothing (May 20th–24th). Serbs sign agreement to pull troops out of Kosovo after 11 weeks of NATO air attacks (June 9th). Nelson Mandela retires as president of South Africa; succeeded by Thabo Mbeki (June 16th). Britain's Prince Edward marries Sophie Rhys-Jones (June 19th). Kurd leader Abdullah Ocalan sentenced to death for treason in Turkey (June 29th). U.S. soccer team tops China for women's World Cup (July 10th). Taiwanese leader Lee Teng-hui challenges “One China” policy (July 11th). John F. Kennedy, Jr., wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette killed in plane crash off coast of Martha's Vineyard (July 16th). Col. Eileen Collins becomes first female to head a space shuttle mission (July 16th). Falun Gong meditation sect banned by Chinese government (July 22nd). Day-trader kills 9 and wounds 13 in two Atlanta brokerage offices before committing suicide (July 29th). Yeltsin replaces Prime Minister Stepashin with Vladimir Putin in fourth government shakeup in 17 months (Aug. 9th). Islamic militants declare independence for Dagestan and announce holy war against Russia (Aug. 10th). White supremacist opens fire at Jewish community center in LA, wounding five and killing one as he flees (Aug. 10th). More than 17,000 people die in 7.4 earthquake in Turkey (Aug. 17th). US Attorney General Janet Reno reopens investigation of 1993 Waco, Tex., stand-off (Aug. 25th). People of East Timor vote for independence from Indonesia (Aug. 31st). Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and PLO leader Yasir Arafat announce peace accord (Sept. 4th). Dozens of people exposed to radiation in Japan's worst nuclear accident (Sept. 30th). Russia sends ground troops to Chechnya as conflict with Islamic militants intensifies (Oct. 1st). World population reaches six billion milestone (Oct. 11th). Military coup led by Gen. Pervez Musharraf overthrows Pakistani government (Oct. 12nd). Tobacco companies admit to harm caused by cigarette smoking (Oct. 13th). Senate rejects 1996 nuclear test-ban treaty; international leaders upset by U.S. stand (Oct. 13th). Indonesia elects Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid president (Oct. 20th). EgyptAir flight crashes over Atlantic, killing all 217 on board (Oct. 31st). Judge finds Microsoft to be a monopoly (Nov. 5th). U.S. and China reach landmark trade agreement (Nov. 15th). China launches first spacecraft (Nov. 21st). World Trade Organization conference disrupted by violent protests in Seattle (Nov. 29th et seq.). Muslim terrorists hijack Indian Airlines jet with 189 on board (Dec. 24th).
