Obama commitment to Irish peace process welcomed

Confirmation that US President elect Barack Obama will continue American interest in the North's peace process was welcomed today.

Confirmation that US President elect Barack Obama will continue American interest in the North's peace process was welcomed today.

The US Consul General in Belfast Susan Elliott said Mr Obama’s administration has pledged to maintain a special envoy to the North.

And after famous visits by President Bill Clinton at key stages of the peace process, she said the prospect of a future trip to Ireland by Mr Obama, or his Irish-American vice-president Joe Biden, could not be ruled out.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, who has met Mr Obama, today welcomed the prospect of continued US support for the peace process.

Ms Elliott said Mr Obama was committed to maintaining an interest in the North, given the crucial role US administrations have played in supporting and encouraging compromise over the last decade.

“Both (US presidential) candidates said that they were committed to continuing with the kind of support that we have had for Northern Ireland and the peace process here,” said the consul general.

“We have had a special envoy here since the Clinton years so we have shown that both a Democrat and a Republican administration would show interest in helping society here to overcome the problems you have had in the past.

“And I think one of the things that is inspirational about Barack Obama is that I think in order to have won the election he had to transcend and he had to convince all communities, especially you know, people maybe from the white community who were sceptical, that he would be able to lead and represent all of us.

“And I think that’s the kind of – especially in a divided society – those are the kinds of inspirational leaders that we all need.”

She said the special envoy role that has been central to maintaining US influence in the peace process would continue.

“I believe that they will because Barack Obama had said, as had John McCain, that they would continue.

“Our current special envoy, Paula Dobriansky, is with the Republican party so I would anticipate – president-elect Obama could ask her to continue – I would anticipate we might have a change there because we will have a change in the secretary of state, but I don’t know for sure.

“But I don’t anticipate that that (special envoy) position will go away.”

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today congratulated president-elect Obama and welcomed his pledge to back the peace process.

He also welcomed Mr Obama’s recent support for a full inquiry into the level of security force collusion in the loyalist murder of high-profile solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989.

“President elect Obama has committed to continue US support for the Irish peace process,” said Mr Adams.

“He also outlined his support for a comprehensive truth recovery process that would tackle the issue of state collusion and in particular endorsed the call for an independent, public inquiry into the murder of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane.

“I also welcome his comments on trade and investment, and his acknowledgement of the need for immigration reform.”

The Sinn Féin leader said Barack Obama’s election showed that change is possible in politics.

The general consul also said she hoped American interest in Irish affairs could see the new administration visit Ireland.

“I think it’s always possible,” said Ms Elliott.

She said other Presidents had visited Northern Ireland and added: “So I am quite keen to hope that Barack Obama will come again. If not Barack Obama, maybe the vice President Joe Biden, who is an Irish American.”

Meanwhile, deputy leader of the nationalist SDLP Alasdair McDonnell said: “I congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and Vice-President-elect Joe Biden, not only because they have Irish roots, not only because they are pledged to continue to support our own peace process, but because what they have done is historic by any standard.”

He added: “I have known Joe Biden for more than 20 years. I am delighted that he has reached such a position and I believe he will make a very fine Vice-President.”

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