WHEN THE GUINNESS MILLIONAIRE HAD STRANGE VISITORS FROM IRELAND

Cheyne Walk on the servants, Frank steele from the Foreign Office and Philip Chelsea Embankment Woodfield of the Home Office. ranks as one of the most MacStiofain spoke for the fashionable areas of Lon- IRA. vy e nope. he said, 'that don. No. ( 96 is a huge discussions now may lead to settlement of white residence politely peoples. wblican move our two obscured by two trees in ment views meeting as the front garden.

plaque in devising machinery whereby that it i fore the rest the will whole of the people of irelandi mar dence of Whistler, century English Paul Chanday, ascertained.' MacStiofain the proposa s the IRA's le Guinness millionair Channon I and 1. Britain Should make Southend West lic declaration the whole of Ireland, cting and voting as a unit to ecide the future of Ireland 2. The republican movement called on phe British gement Conservative ment to give immediate declaration to Blues) and he now belongs to wo of the most exclusive club withdrawal to be completed on or before January 1, 1975. the Turf Club. troops must be withdrawn from sensitive areas. day, July 7. His statement continued: call on the British tinued:

to a all the luxurious mansion were political all interthe leadership of the Provisional IRA. sons on the wanted list.' They went Whitelaw was at his most panelled and not wanted to the "silly season of the Protestant which 'most wanted would begin I hook hands all round with ories' Ulster supremo Willian culties time of year The group who then settled upon us. Any on my down in the part might bring about a worse chairs were: situation.' Chief of Pro- Holding out the speedy visionals, Sean release remaining detainees, 'Give me O'Connell, Belfast Derry commander, two commander, surprise with McGuinness, two At this stage the meeting was interrupted a bizarre staff, and Gerry Adams. way. One of Whitelaw's aides Adams' presence at the would like a secret talks was most bizarre. taken time. The Provisionals they were 'on duty'. needed go-between in constitutional contribution Tory government could • thee • Coverend was in. Long Kesh involved in lifted earlier full-throated cheers nany shades had talks maita lisas ness benind s 'gun- and man' O Connell satisfied that growing realization that such could Government of ireland Act by be the concentration ing a trap.

tion of this the Probrought home visional the camp! closed.

mere ere the tory goo about 3 the talks non and two two separate rooms. Ten minutes later the talks resumed with the Provisionals presenting a statement. It read:

'We require to have in our hands, or at least in the hands of an agreed third party, on Monday next at 9 a.m. a letter indicating that the British government will accede to the proposals contained in points 1 and 2 of our peace proposals.' Whitelaw argued for an extension of this deadline-at least until Monday week. " After some argument it was agreed that: 1. A bi-lateral . suspension of offensive operations would continue until July 14. 2. In the event of a resumption of hostilities, 24 hours' notice would be given. 3. On July 14 a further meeting would take place at which the British government's submissions and documents in reply to points 1 and 2 would be made known. 4. In the event of the documents being unacceptable to the Irish, they would be at liberty to resume offensive operations without notice.

As the guests departed Whitelaw stressed that there should be no press leaks. On this point the IRA asked that if the ceasefire broke down, would they be at liberty to speak to the press?

Apparently Whitelaw's last words were: 'That is fair enough. If the truce ends, all bets are off.' The Provisional leaders then returned to Ulster the way they had arrived. They were driven to Northolt RAF base Top left: Seamus Twomey. Centre: 'On the reports I have read Flats stand to hold discussions