Secretary Clinton Delivers Remarks with First Minister Robinson And Deputy First Minister Mcguinness

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I'm very pleased to be back. And I want to thank both Peter and Martin for those very kind words, but more than that, for your leadership and the great work that you are doing together on behalf of Northern Ireland. It is fair to say this is a place that keeps drawing me back, and I'm sure will for as far as I can see into the future. I'm especially reminded of the first time I came to Belfast 17 years ago this month, when Bill and I came because of the glimmerings that there might be some path forward toward peace. And it was the first time an American president ever set foot in Northern Ireland. Peter is absolutely right that we had people who left, depart, and went to the United States and actually became president or were the descendants of those who had left, but this was the first time an American president came. It was a little over a year after the first ceasefire, Martin, and we were invited to turn on Belfast's Christmas lights. And I remember that as though it were yesterday instead of 17 years ago, and all that it meant to us to be standing there looking out at the vast throngs of people who had come with great expectations. So many fathers with their children on their shoulders as I looked out on that scene, and there was a little girl named Catherine who had lost her father in the Troubles, and she said her Christmas wish was that peace and love would last forever. That's a particularly good Christmas wish, but it's always a good wish here, not just in this season but all through the year, because the people of Northern Ireland know all too well that the alternative is not one that anyone can even imagine going back to. But peace does take sacrifice and compromise and vigilance day after day. And we've seen that again this week that the work is not complete, because we have seen violence break out again. And I join with both Peter and Martin and all the leaders and citizens who have condemned the recent attacks here in Belfast and around the whole area. Because look, there will always be disagreements in democratic societies. We're experts at that in the United States. We have a lot of very serious, difficult disagreements that divide us. But violence is never an acceptable response to those disagreements, and I strongly endorse what Peter and Martin have said, that all parties need to confront the remaining challenges of sectarian division peacefully and together. I'll have more to say about that when I speak at a lunch hosted by the Ireland Funds. The United States has been proud to be your partner for more than two decades now. We've worked to try to help build not only a future of peace but one of prosperity. In fact, the United States has supported the political process, providing more than $530 million in assistance through the International Fund for Ireland. And we have also tried to make it clear that we think what is important here is that people have a chance to see the benefits of peace, that they get an opportunity to have a better life for themselves and certainly for their children. I think that there will be a lot of ways that we can work together to spur economic growth. Northern Ireland has a skilled workforce, world-class research institutions, an advanced telecommunications infrastructure that is essential for competing in today's knowledge economy, and I am very keen on continuing not only in this position but in the future to be of whatever assistance I can to maintain our connection but also to work to produce results. The U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership is working to reinvigorate science and technology cooperation among Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the United States, and we just recently had a visit of our experts to help facilitate partnerships between our science and technology agencies, foster research networks, and try to build more economic connections between the North and the South. So it's always a pleasure to be with Peter and Martin and to really applaud their leadership, which has been extraordinary and absolutely essential, no more so than right now. And I think you've got so much to work toward that is positive and moving toward creating the kind of future that people have been working toward, and I'm very confident that you will continue to make progress together. Thank you. FIRST MINISTER ROBINSON: Thank you very much, indeed. Secretary, just before we allow some questions, Martin and I, when we had it confirmed that you would be visiting with us, we never know quite which element of the press we should believe, whether it's a valedictory tour or whether it's not, but we are not going to miss the opportunity because we felt that you have played such an important role in the process that we have been a part of in Northern Ireland that we would make an award to you. And if you'll join Martin and I, we'll make the presentation. SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER MCGUINNESS: Just for the press's information, this was the work other places including in the United States of America. When we asked him to do this, it just one word, "Agreement." (Inaudible.) DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER MCGUINNESS: We will. and in particular the role of women in conflict resolution, how depressing do you find it this dispute over the flying of the Union flag? Is there a danger that some people here, SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first let me say that I know Naomi Long, and obviously, I am However, I think, as I have also said, the violence is a reminder that although much We had a chance to speak about that when we were meeting before coming out here. And as The only path forward is a peaceful, democratic one that recognizes the right of others to Democracy requires dialogue, compromise, and constant commitment by everyone to protecting support the work that Peter and Martin and their colleagues are doing. As you heard, a better economic future will be impeded if violence returns. I mean, 17 years ago, the is a small minority of people - it always is in every society - who try to stir up passions someone feels about their political or social beliefs. sense from the meeting that Mr. Lavrov and the Russians have actually changed and compromised SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, it was a very constructive session, and I greatly appreciated dangerous developments inside Syria. Mr. Brahimi had his own additional information to contribute Syria to begin a political transition based on the outline that we agreed to in Geneva the Russians, to talk about how we can operationalize the path forward. with any influence on the regime or the opposition, needs to be engaged with Brahimi for a concerted, I would also just underscore that one of the chief strengths of the Geneva document is that we in the international community expect. one that is inclusive, but everyone must understand what is expected of them. And let me also - Sunni, Alawi, Christians, Kurds, Druze, men, women. Every Syrian must be included but a realistic understanding of how difficult it still is.