Clinton calls for agreement on policing in the North
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pictured with the North's First Minister Peter Robinson (left) and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (right). Photo: Getty Images
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for more progress to be made during a visit to Belfast, telling political leaders that an upsurge in terrorism can be defeated and political progress will attract investment.
She spoke of the dissident republican murders in March of two soldiers and a PSNI officers, strongly condemning the “thuggish tactics” of those responsible.
Dissidents are “looking to seize any opportunity to undermine the process and to destabilise this government,” Clinton told the North's 108 seat assembly in a speech today. “Moving ahead together with the process will leave them stranded on the wrong side of history.”
A dispute over policing between the DUP and Sinn Fein has recently threatened power-sharing at Stormont.
Sinn Fein wants policing powers transferred to Belfast from London before the end of the year, while the DUP won’t set a timeframe. In June 2008 Sinn Fein exercised a veto over the issue, causing the suspension of the province’s ruling executive for five months. Last week British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met Sinn Fein and the DUP in a bid to resolve the dispute.
Clinton, the first senior foreign dignitary to address the Assembly in the North, yesterday said the devolution of policing powers is an “absolutely essential milestone.” She said today that the US will support the parties in reaching agreement on the issue, though she stressed she didn’t want to “meddle” in the decision.
Economic slump
Clinton, who appointed a special economic envoy to Ireland, said the region could thrive if it moved forward with the peace process.
The global economic slump is already undermining gains made as a result of the peace process. Unemployment has almost doubled in the past year as firms cut jobs. House prices have fallen by almost 35pc since hitting their peak in late 2007, according to Nationwide Building Society.
“It is critical in this moment of economic turmoil to protect the progress that you have already achieved and to build upon it,” Clinton told the Assembly today.
Over the past fortnight Brown has pushed for agreement between First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on a schedule for the devolution of powers currently held by the British Parliament in London.
Robinson and McGuinness later told reporters that Brown had sent a letter detailing the financial arrangements relating to the proposed devolution of policing powers, which Robinson described as a “positive contribution.”
Clinton stayed at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, which was the most-bombed in Europe during the conflict.
Recalling her trip to the North as First Lady in 1995, Clinton said she and her husband, then-President Bill Clinton, stayed in the Europa, “even though then there were sections boarded up because of damage from bombs.”
The progress achieved since then has been possible because of the “risks” taken by politicians in the North, she added.
Clinton noted that she often refers to the peace process as an inspiration to foes in other places to make peace. “Many people who are despairing over the prospects of peace look to Northern Ireland,” she said yesterday after meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
“They think to themselves that if it could be done there, then perhaps we, too, have a chance to try to cross that border between conflict and peace.”
Before flying to Belfast yesterday, Clinton made an impromptu, campaign-like stop in downtown Dublin, detouring to Grafton Street while en route to the airport.
Clinton first surprised patrons at Bewley’s cafe when she came in and ordered a cappuccino. She then walked to McDaids pub, and hoisted a pint as people there cheered and raised their glasses to her.
- Janine Zacharia and Colm Heatley
© Bloomberg
