Challenges facing Northern Ireland society - Durkan

‘‘The nature and the form of violence (in Northern Ireland) has changed,’’ Mr Durkan acknowledged.

‘‘But we are still seeing very deep sectarianism and bigotry manifesting itself.

‘‘I keep saying to people it is not enough that we have shared political institutions - although they are very important. It is not enough that we have the big ceasefires from the paramilitary groups - although they too are important.

‘‘We have to work right through to challenge violence at every level and to challenge prejudice at every level. So it is a big leadership task that we face but if we face it together, we can make further progress.’’

Mr Durkan told around 250,000 breakfast drivetime listeners to St Louis’ KMOX News Talk radio station that people should celebrate the progress in the peace process in recent years but not downplay the raw sectarian tensions and street violence in North Belfast over the past year.

He insisted, however, the power-sharing government in Stormont was addressing those divisions.

‘‘I don’t want to belittle the violence or the problems that are there,’’ the Deputy First Minister insisted.

‘‘We have all seen in north Belfast the problems as many people here in the United States would have seen - images of young schoolgirls being intimidated and harassed on their way to school.

‘‘But again, we in the new power-sharing administration have been able to take steps there and help that situation and we have seen that sort of protest, as it was called, coming to an end.

‘‘I believe we can work to make sure that some day in Northern Ireland the only thing any kid in Northern Ireland is going to have to worry about on their way to school will be the traffic.’’

Mr Durkan said following his and First Minister David Trimble’s joint meetings with the US President George W Bush, members of his administration and leading US Senators including Edward Kennedy of the Democrats and former Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain, the Good Friday Agreement was being seen around the world as a beacon of hope for other societies in conflict.

‘‘I think the President, his special envoy in relation to Ireland Ambassador Richard Haass and Secretary of State Colin Powell have all made the point that they constantly find themselves when talking to people in the Middle East and elsewhere referring to the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland to prove to people it isn’t impossible to make progress, it isn’t impossible to make change work no matter what their problems are.

‘‘There is also a particular appreciation in this country after what happened on September 11 and what you suffered at the hands of terrorists of the pain and hurt that many people suffered for so many years in Northern Ireland.

‘‘I think there is an empathy there that people feel. The good thing is that people are able to point to us a positive example as well.’’

Mr Durkan and his wife Jackie have been given the red carpet treatment since their arrival in St Louis.

The Deputy First Minister and his team will brief the editorial board of the city’s main newspaper the St Louis Post Dispatch on developments in Northern Ireland.

He will also visit the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses and in a sports mad town currently hosting the US’s major college basketball tournament will meet members of the city’s American Football team.

The SDLP leader will also address a Saint Patrick’s Day banquet.

One of the organisers of the parade, businessman Joe McGlynn welcomed the Deputy First Minister.

‘‘It is a great honour to have Mark Durkan here,’’ he declared.

''He was one of the negotiations of the Good Friday Agreement and his patience and innovativeness has really got Northern Ireland to where it is today.’’