THE SDLP's declining fortunes were highlighted 26 years ago.

THE proposal by Bill Clinton to appoint a `peace envoy' for Northern Ireland caused deep concern in British government circles.

1993 was one of the darkest years of the Troubles, with IRA explosions on both sides of the Irish Sea and a series of loyalist assassinations.

STATE papers reveal British government efforts to help a TV company defend a libel action by alleged republicans.

A SPEECH by Pope John Paul II condemning violence in Northern Ireland, was met with approval by the British government.

CONCERNS were raised by the Irish government about "discrimination" in funding between State and Catholic schools in 1991, according to confidential files released this week.

IN what may have been an attempt to initiate discussions with the British government in the last years of the Troubles, Martin McGuinness sent personal letters to leading Conservative politicians seeking a meeting with the Sinn Féin leadership.

BRITISH government officials raised concerns in the 1990s about public funding given to an anti-paramilitary pressure group with links to a political party associated with the Official IRA.