So we have to share with everyone with everyone having some apparent stake in Northern Ireland. What support is she expecting from the US? It is unlikely to be support in favour of the UK. CD Villiers to strengthen US-NI relations The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, has embarked on a four day trip to the United States. While on the east coast trip, the Conservative politician will travel to Washington DC, New York and Boston where she will meet a number of senators, congressmen, senior government officials and academics. Ms Villiers will also meet with representatives from the wider Irish-American community. A statement from the Home Office said that the Secretary of State will use her visit to strengthen vital UK-US relationships. The brief trip will also be used to encourage the US Administration to maintain support for the Northern Ireland Executive and political parties over the coming months in finding resolutions to issues including parading, flags and the past. Ms Villiers met with Paula Dobriansky, former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, and Congressmen Ritchie Neal and Peter King in Washington on Tuesday. She also delivered a speech at an event at American University, where she explored progress in Northern Ireland 15 years on from the Good Friday Agreement. The assistance and goodwill of those I will be meeting this week is still vital as we face key challenges for Northern Irelands future peace and prosperity. Theresa Villiers She said the British government would uphold the democratic wishes of the people in respect to their constitutional future on whether to stay part of the United Kingdom or choose a United Ireland. We will also work with all parties and the whole community to build a Northern Ireland in which everybody is treated with equal respect, whatever their background or political aspirations, she said. And along with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish government we will strive to establish a stronger, more cohesive society based on a shared future for all. She said remaining challenges in Northern Ireland included a residual terrorist threat from dissident republicans but stressed the PSNI and an Garda Síochána are doing a highly effective job in countering the threat. Ms Villiers said that the region was showing signs of economic recovery with a steady fall in unemployment and local companies attracting global business, but she added that NI relies far too much on government spending. She stated: The UK government is acutely conscious that Northern Ireland will never realise its economic potential while parts of society remain so bitterly divided along sectarian lines. Ms Villiers welcomed the publication of a community relations strategy by the Executive as well as former US envoy to NI, Dr Richard Haass talks on remaining contentious issues. He has a very difficult task but I remain optimistic that progress can be made if Northern Irelands politicians show the same leadership and courage that has helped to deal with seemingly insoluble problems in the past, she added. She concluded by emphasising the role America can have in supporting and encouraging Northern Irelands leadership in future along with the UK and Irish governments. Next stop for the NI Secretary of State will be New York, where she will meet the New York State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, and the outgoing Chairman of American Ireland Funds Loretta Brennan Glucksman. She will also tour Fordham Universitys radio facilities and meet its Irish production staff. The final leg of the programme in Boston will see the Secretary of State meet State Senate President Theresa Murray and the Mayor-Elect of Boston, Rep Martin Walsh. She will also hold a question and answer session on A shared future: Economic prosperity and development with students from Boston College. u.tv/News/Villiers-to-strengthen-US-NI-relations/13f89259-77e2-4f9d-840a-aa134c73cc52
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 21:18:47 +0000
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