CLINTON LAUDS IRISH PEACE PROCESS, URGES MORE PROGRESS
By Sonja Pace
Voice of America
12 October 2009
London
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has praised the peace process
in Northern Ireland, saying it serves as an example for other conflict
areas that bitter enemies can resolve differences peacefully. Secretary
Clinton was addressing the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast,
during a stop during her five-day trip to Europe and Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) leaves Stormont Castle
in Belfast with Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson
(L) and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (R), 12 Oct 2009 US
Sec. of State Hillary Clinton (C), N. Ireland’s 1st Minister Peter
Robinson (L), Deputy 1st Minister Martin McGuinness (R) leave Belfast’s
Stormont Castle, 12 Oct 2009 Speaking to a packed chamber at Stormont,
the Northern Ireland Assembly, Hillary Clinton praised lawmakers for
progress made in a long and often arduous peace process.
"Today, Northern Ireland stands as an example to the world of how even
the staunchest adversaries can overcome differences to work together
for the common and greater good," she said.
For decades Northern Ireland was engulfed in sectarian violence, in
which nearly 4,000 people were killed. It pitted the mostly Catholic
Republicans, who want Northern Ireland free of British rule, against
the predominantly protestant Unionists, who want to remain part of
the United Kingdom.
Mrs. Clinton’s husband, President Bill Clinton helped mediate a
peace deal, the Good Friday Accord, in 1998. And, in May 2007 a new
power-sharing government took over administration of Northern Ireland
with bitter foes agreeing to sit together.
Since then, disagreements and suspicion have often kept the two sides
from moving forward.
Secretary Clinton said no doubt progress had been difficult and
divisions remain, but she urged the lawmakers to keep moving ahead.
"Even today many Catholics and Protestants live segregated lives;
separate schools, separate neighborhoods, e still divided by walls. But
given time and given the leadership that each of you can provide,
the torn fabric of society will be woven together, stitch by stitch,
choice by choice," she said.
Secretary Clinton warned against those seeking to disrupt the peace
process, referring to dissident republicans who killed two British
soldiers and a policeman earlier this year.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves as she speaks with
Armenian FM Edouard Nalbandian (R) at the University in Zurich, 10 Oct
2009 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves as she speaks with
Armenian FM Edouard Nalbandian (R) at the University in Zurich, 10 Oct
2009 Clinton’s visit to Europe began Saturday in Zurich, Switzerland
to attend another reconciliation meeting – between long-time enemies
Turkey and Armenia. The two countries agreed to establish diplomatic
ties and re-open their borders.
Hostilities between them stem from the mass killing of Armenians by
Ottoman Turkish forces during and after World War One.
Clinton also held talks in London, where Iran and Afghanistan figured
prominently. She said the United States and others are willing to
listen to Iran, but she warned patience would not last forever.
In an interview on British radio, Clinton said Washington remains
committed to the goals set out for Afghanistan, but she also said
much more is expected of the Afghan government.
Secretary Clinton heads to Moscow for talks with Russian leaders.