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Devolution rows

October 12, 2009

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she is optimistic about ensuring a successful devolution process and a continuation of the peace process in Northern Ireland.

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Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton says she's "confident" about progress for Northern IrelandImage: picture alliance / abaca

Hillary Clinton's diplomacy efforts have been put to the test as she has touched down in Northern Ireland to help resolve a political stand-off threatening the success of its power-sharing government.

"The step of devolution for policing and justice is an absolutely essential milestone," the US secretary of state told reporters.

"Clearly there are questions and some apprehensions, but I believe that due to the concerted efforts of the British government, Irish government and support of friends like us in the US, that the parties understand that this is a step they must take together."

Northern Ireland's main parties have been at loggerheads over the details of its devolution process from the United Kingdom, resulting in a row which has brought its administration to a standstill with no clear resolution in sight.

Clinton says progress "within reach"

Clinton's presence in Northern Ireland has narrowed the gap between Northern Ireland's main parties, a step regarded as crucial to resolving the stand-off and pushing on with the devolution process.

"It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality, and I'm confident that that is within reach."

The new power-sharing government of Northern Ireland, a landmark accord between the Protestant conservative, pro-British DUP and Catholic socialist republicans Sinn Fein, agreed in principle on the transfer of responsibility from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland, however, differences over the details of the devolution process led to discord between the parties.

Two policemen at the site of the Massereene attacks near Antrim
In March 2009, two British soldiers died in an attack on military barracks near AntrimImage: picture-alliance/ dpa

Sinn Fein and the DUP have been in conflict over when powers for policing should be devolved from London, the former insisting it should have happened already and the latter choosing caution and saying it will only assent to devolution with an adequate financial package in place and broad community confidence.

INLA lays down arms for peace

The peace process, started in 1998 by the Good Friday Agreement, ended three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, in which roughly 3,500 people were killed. Its full implementation, rather than squabbling over its fine points, is vital to peaceful governance in Northern Ireland as stressed by Clinton.

Clinton's visit comes as the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), a republican paramilitary group infamous for its violent crimes during Northern Ireland's troubles, has signaled it's prepared to lay down arms. It has renounced its armed struggle, releasing a statement saying, "following a process of serious debate ... it has concluded that the armed struggle is over."

ft/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Andreas Illmer