London/Belfast - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday linked praise for the peace process in Northern Ireland with a pledge of further investment in the province. In an historic address to the regional assembly (parliament) in Belfast, Clinton said Northern Ireland had become a "model for conflict resolution" around the world.
"It's a story to tell the world - that there is an alternative of peace. If you don't believe it, come to Northern Ireland," Clinton said.
She urged politicians in the province to overcome remaining differences on the issue of justice and policing and to make peace "whole and permanent."
The US would support all efforts to complete the full implementation of the 1988 Good Friday Agreement, but it would not "meddle" in the negotiations still required to finalize devolution.
It was up to the province's politicians to solve the remaining obstacles, she said. "As a true friend, my hope is that you will achieve the completion of the process of devolution."
"You can count on us to help you finish your journey," said Clinton, citing the huge "economic and human potential" Northern Ireland had to offer.
Clinton revealed that a special panel of more than a dozen US business experts would help boost the economy in Northern Ireland and support the efforts of Declan Kelly, the US Special Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland.
She told an audience of business experts at Queen's University that US economic investment in the region was a "win/win situation" that brought benefits to both sides of the Atlantic.
Clinton catalogued the record of international investment in Northern Ireland and highlighted the continuing desire of the US to support the peace process through economic investment.
She said a leading US healthcare communications company was planning a software design centre for Belfast, and welcomed plans for a conference in the city which is set to attract leading technology companies based in Silicon Valley.
"Now, these efforts to promote greater partnership are win/win," she said. "We often talk about investment in Northern Ireland but we have also got thousands of jobs created back in the States because of Northern Ireland investment."
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.
