We are fortunate to have been able to hear the views of a number of distinguished South African visitors on how their country's remarkable transformation was achieved. In addition to the joint lecture given in Belfast last June by Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer, to which the question refers, interesting presentations have been given by, among others, Judge Albie Sachs, Minister Kader Asmal and Dr. Alex Boraine. Moreover, several Members of this House, including myself, were present at the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation when it was addressed by former President De Klerk in November 1995.
Each of these speakers has been at pains to emphasise that each conflict is unique and that drawing exact parallels is simplistic, though there are undoubted elements of similarity. As Cyril Ramaphosa said, "While you might learn some lessons from the experiences of others, ultimately you will have to find for yourselves the processes and solutions that suit your own situation."
Of course, there are undoubtedly technical aspects of the South African experience which offer potential guidance. The rules of procedure of the multi-party negotiations have already drawn from the South African example the concept of "sufficient consensus", although it is somewhat more tightly defined. As the Taoiseach has already stated, the adoption of a clear and realistic agreed timeframe would also be potentially valuable — as it proved to be in South Africa — and I would like to see the two Governments bring forward proposals for consideration by all the participants when the negotiations resume in June. The parties may also be able to draw useful lessons from South African views on matters such as internal consultation and the composition of delegations.