London/Belfast - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday praised the peace process in Northern Ireland as a "model for conflict resolution" around the world and urged its politicians to make peace "whole and permanent" in the province. In an historic address to the Northern Ireland regional assembly (parliament), Clinton pledged Washington's support for the successful completion of the process of devolution in Northern Ireland.
However, it was up to the province's politicians to solve the remaining obstacles. "As a true friend, my hope is that you will achieve the completion of the process of devolution," she said.
Northern Ireland had been "an example to the world" as a place where staunch political adversaries could overcome their differences," said Clinton, urging politicians to continue the process in the "spirit of unstoppable grit and resolve."
Her visit to Northern Ireland, on the third day of a European tour, coincided with efforts by the political parties in Belfast to overcome remaining differences over the transfer of judicial and police powers from the British government in London to the regional administration in Belfast.
Agreement on the vexed issue would complete the implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that provided the framework for the peace process after 30 years of bloody conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.
