PROPOSED PAYMENTS TO VICTIMS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S TROUBLES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELFAST 000006


DEPT FOR EUR/WE, NSC FOR BRADLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/30/2019
TAGS: PTER PREL EI UK PGOV
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PAYMENTS TO VICTIMS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S TROUBLES
IGNITE CONTROVERSY

CLASSIFIED BY: Susan Elliott, Consul General, Belfast, State
Department.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Summary: The public release on January 28 of The
Consultative Group on the Past's report sparked controversy
among Northern Ireland's politicians and victims groups. The
Group, appointed by the British government in 2007, had a
mandate to explore ways to deal with Northern Ireland's legacy
of conflict. The Group made 31 recommendations including the
creation of a Legacy Commission to investigate all outstanding
murder cases and study future reconciliation efforts. One
recommendation, a payment of 12,000 British pounds to relatives
of all victims of the Troubles, including members of
paramilitary organizations, has sparked intense controversy.
Unionist politicians, in particular, have been vocal in opposing
the payment to relatives of the IRA members. Eames and Bradley
defended their compensation scheme, saying there should be no
hierarchy of victims. UK Prime Minister Brown was cautious in
his response, but said he understands the concerns of those
opposed to such payments. With the total cost of the
recommendations expected to be around 300 million British pounds
(roughly 450 million US dollars),it is likely the British and
Irish governments will carefully study all aspects of the report
before making decisions on how to implement its findings. While
the final report does not mention USG financial support, Eames
and Bradley have indicated privately that they would like the
USG to share in the cost of financing their proposals. End
Summary.

Consultative Group Makes Recommendations
--------------


2. (SBU) The Consultative Group on the Past, headed by Lord
Eames, former Anglican Archbishop of Armagh, and Denis Bradley,
formerly a Catholic priest and Vice Chairman of Northern
Ireland's Policing Board, released its report publicly on
January 28. The British government set up the Consultative
Group in June 2007 to make recommendations on all issues
relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Before releasing
the report publicly, Eames and Bradley met with Prime Minister
Brown on January 22 to brief him on the report's conclusions.
While collecting information for the report, Eames and Bradley
met on several occasions with former Special Envoy Dobriansky
and Consul General.

Legacy Commission Key Proposal
--------------


3. (U) Key recommendations include the creation of a Legacy
Commission, chaired by an international commissioner appointed
by the British and Irish governments, which would have a
five-year mandate to complete investigations of historic murder
cases as well as assist with reconciliation efforts. Eames and
Bradley also call for the creation of the Reconciliation Forum
to help the new Legacy Commission and the already existing
Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland
(CVSNI) address issues linked to the Troubles.

Compensation Recommendation Creates Controversy
-------------- --


4. (U) The recommendation that compensation of 12,000 British
pounds be paid to relatives of those who died during the
conflict has generated considerable negative reaction because
the payments would go to relatives of members of paramilitary
groups, including the IRA who died during the conflict. Several
Unionist politicians were quick to denounce the recommendation
saying innocent victims could not be equated with terrorists.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson has harshly criticized the
proposal and said publicly that he would never support its
implementation. A few victims groups protested noisily at the
January 28 press conference where Eames and Bradley presented
their findings. Eames and Bradley have defended their
compensation scheme, saying there should be no hierarchy of
victims. They point out a similar scheme had taken place in the
Republic of Ireland. (Note: Press reports indicate this was
the "Remembrance Fund" established in 2003 by former Irish Prime
Minister Ahern to help the families of those in Ireland who had
been killed or injured during the Troubles. This fund allowed
for payments to families of paramilitary group members,
including the IRA. End Note.)

Nationalist Reaction
--------------


5. (U) Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, who attended the January 28
press conference, told the media he needed to study the full
report, but noted his view that the Legacy Commission should not
be a UK-appointed body. Adams would prefer that the United
Nations or other international entity establish this Commission.
SDLP Leader Mark Durkan was less critical and called for
careful reflection of the Consultative Group's recommendations.

Prime Minister Brown Guarded In Response to Report
-------------- --------------


6. (U) DUP MP Nigel Dodds strongly criticized the compensation
scheme during a session of the UK Parliament and asked a
response from the Prime Minister. Gordon Brown said he
understood why one of the recommendations has evoked controversy
in Northern Ireland (i.e. the compensation scheme),but noted
that some of the recommendations such as settling outstanding
cases and moving forward with reconciliation should be
acceptable to all communities.

Comment
--------------


7. (C) The British and Irish governments will likely take
several months to review the Eames-Bradley report before making
public what they will be able to support financially. With the
total cost of the recommendations expected to be around 300
million British pounds (approximately 450 million USD),the
British and Irish governments will probably focus on the
Report's less controversial aspects, such as the creation of a
Legacy Commission. Over the last 18 months Eames and Bradley met
several times with the Consul General and former Special Envoy
Dobriansky. During those meetings they mentioned the high cost
of implementing their proposed recommendations. While the final
report does not mention USG financial support, Eames and Bradley
have indicated privately that they would like the USG to share
in the cost of financing their proposals.


ELLIOTT