Hillary Clinton addresses Northern Ireland Assembly, Part 1

United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses the Northern Ireland Assembly, 12 October 2009.

From the BBC:
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States stands ready to help and back Northern Ireland.

Speaking after talks with the first and deputy first ministers at Stormont, she said the Obama administration was committed to offering support.

"We stand ready to help in any way we can. Our two peoples are bound together," she said.

Mrs Clinton is addressing the NI Assembly as talks continue to transfer policing and justice powers.

First Minister Peter Robinson welcomed the US Secretary of State saying that Northern Ireland had "come a long way".

"Of course there are difficulties, but we are committed to making it work," he said.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said Hillary Clinton had been "a true friend" to Northern Ireland, offering strong intellectual, emotional and political support.

The financing of the deal on policing and justice powers has been a major sticking point in recent weeks, with a series of intensive talks held between Gordon Brown and NI's leaders.

After discussions on policing and justice at Downing Street on Thursday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein said all sides were "on the cusp of agreement".

The visit to Stormont may turn out to be one of the easiest stages of the five-day European tour by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

The curse of foreign diplomacy is arriving in a country and constantly needing ministerial aides to whisper in your ear the names of leading politicians. Mrs Clinton will not have that problem in Northern Ireland.

She has been to Stormont so often - as First lady, Senator and now as Secretary of State - that she is on first name terms with most of the key players. Indeed, she probably knows their spouses' names too.

Resolving the differences between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists may need more than some high-powered American charm and gentle words of persuasion.

Mind you, the indomitable Mrs Clinton will try her best.

First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP said recent negotiations with the prime minister had won "millions of pounds" more for the policing and justice budget.

However, Mr Robinson has made clear that finance is not the only issue.

He said there also needs to be confidence among the unionist community that the time is right to devolve the powers.

The DUP have welcomed Mrs Clinton's visit while also making clear her presence will not pressure them into reaching a deal.

Speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Mrs Clinton said: "Clearly there are questions and some apprehensions, but I believe that due to the concerted effort of the British government, Irish government and support of friends like us in the US, that the parties understand this is a step they must take together.

"It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality, and I'm confident that that is within reach."

Announcing the visit earlier this month, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said Mrs Clinton wanted to "help look at the jobs, opportunities and investment that America can bring to Northern Ireland".

Coinciding with her visit, US software company NaviNet announced its new £4.4m research centre in Belfast would create 60 jobs over three years.

BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said Mrs Clinton seemed to be linking the prospect of further US investment with achieving the devolution of policing and justice.

"When the Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward tried something similar he was met with a fairly scornful response from the DUP," our correspondent added.

"The Americans are still pushing that message, maybe in a slightly more nuanced way than Shaun Woodward."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Hillary
• Clinton
• Northern
• Ireland
• United
• Kingdom
• IRA
• CIRA
• RIRA
• INLA

[TarkinsApprentice]

Shut Up Clinton and mine your own business.

[Medeasbiggestfan]

She was invited to speak by the Northern Ireland Executive.

[TarkinsApprentice]

Yea, but she was the whole shit with the Good Friday Agreement, she butted in, and thats why she was invited to this.

[Medeasbiggestfan]

She was invited to speak in her capacity as Secretary of State.

The Assembly wanted to show their appreciation for the part the United States played in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. It wasn't really about the role Clinton played.

[Hillnobama]

I love her. That would not be a fair debate, Palin can't handle Hillary's intellect.

[ginaswo]

love you Hill! miss you in NY, glad to see you working for the world

[Laura80068]

Hillary is the most amazing woman ever and an extraordinary leader! HILLARY 2012!

[00die00991]

im english and to be honest no one here gives a rats ass what ireland does with itself, if it wants to be unified fine, independance? fine we support the destruction of great britain so we dont pay you our taxes. simply just unify ireland and get on with your lives the fighting has gone on long enough whats the point?

[THEIRISHVL97DIMIR]

@NIFootie2010 cant help what?

[THEIRISHVL97DIMIR]

@NIFootie2010 ok :) can you explain to me why i am gay? Are you stalking me?

[THEIRISHVL97DIMIR]

@NIFootie2010 We? Go feck yourself

[ttiiyy]

This is just retarded. The US has been criticized for butting in other countries' issues for so long. Even Democrats can't take a hint, and just butt out other people's business.

Clinton might be smarter than Palin, but she still needs to mind her damn business.

[KungfuCow5]

@NIFootie2010 2016- 32=1

[KungfuCow5]

@NIFootie2010 2016 32 1

[ben7368]

@NIFootie2010 do you speak for everyone there?

[pandadust1]

hillary clinton tried to slap me and call me a pervert, i ripped her fuckin tonsils out and fed her sherbert! - eminem wahahahahahahaha=D