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13/10/2009
Obama Sends NI Message Of Support
US President Barack Obama's remains committed to supporting Northern Ireland's fledgling power-sharing structures.
This week, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met leading politicians, business figures and academics, emphasising that the Province's transformation to relative peace was an inspiration to the world.
During Mrs Clinton's visit, her seventh to Belfast, she also said that the US stood ready to help in "any way we can" and emphasised the superpower's economic help for the Province.
"I'm here today to send a strong message that the Obama administration and the United States are committed to supporting you as you continue your journey," she said.
On more pressing political matters, she said that America will not "meddle" in the Province.
Aware of unionist concerns that her visit was to pressure the DUP and Ulster Unionists into accepting the devolution of policing and justice powers, the powerful US politician made no direct mention of the recent acrimony between Sinn Féin and the DUP and only carefully-worded hints that the US wants to see policing and justice powers devolved were made.
The First and Deputy First Ministers met Mrs Clinton at the Europa Hotel, where she stayed, on Sunday night and yesterday morning the trio held further talks and made a joint public appearance outside Stormont Castle before Mrs Clinton travelled across to address the Assembly.
Mrs Clinton's address to the Assembly was described by the New York Times as "among the most heartfelt Mrs Clinton has delivered as Secretary of State".
The DUP's party officers released a statement afterwards expressing cautious welcome for a letter which all Assembly parties received yesterday from Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlining an offer for the financing of policing and justice operations if the powers are devolved.
The party said that it would be seeking a meeting with Conservative Leader David Cameron about the issue.
See: Policing Devolution Deal Inches Ahead
See: Clinton 'Supports' NI Jobs
(BMcC/KMcA)
This week, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met leading politicians, business figures and academics, emphasising that the Province's transformation to relative peace was an inspiration to the world.
During Mrs Clinton's visit, her seventh to Belfast, she also said that the US stood ready to help in "any way we can" and emphasised the superpower's economic help for the Province.
"I'm here today to send a strong message that the Obama administration and the United States are committed to supporting you as you continue your journey," she said.
On more pressing political matters, she said that America will not "meddle" in the Province.
Aware of unionist concerns that her visit was to pressure the DUP and Ulster Unionists into accepting the devolution of policing and justice powers, the powerful US politician made no direct mention of the recent acrimony between Sinn Féin and the DUP and only carefully-worded hints that the US wants to see policing and justice powers devolved were made.
The First and Deputy First Ministers met Mrs Clinton at the Europa Hotel, where she stayed, on Sunday night and yesterday morning the trio held further talks and made a joint public appearance outside Stormont Castle before Mrs Clinton travelled across to address the Assembly.
Mrs Clinton's address to the Assembly was described by the New York Times as "among the most heartfelt Mrs Clinton has delivered as Secretary of State".
The DUP's party officers released a statement afterwards expressing cautious welcome for a letter which all Assembly parties received yesterday from Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlining an offer for the financing of policing and justice operations if the powers are devolved.
The party said that it would be seeking a meeting with Conservative Leader David Cameron about the issue.
See: Policing Devolution Deal Inches Ahead
See: Clinton 'Supports' NI Jobs
(BMcC/KMcA)
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