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| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Progress in NI 'an inspiration' | Progress in NI 'an inspiration' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Political progress made in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years has been unimaginable, US President George W Bush has said. | Political progress made in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years has been unimaginable, US President George W Bush has said. |
| He was speaking outside Stormont Castle where he met with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. | He was speaking outside Stormont Castle where he met with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. |
| He said the world was impressed by the progress of peace and reconciliation. | He said the world was impressed by the progress of peace and reconciliation. |
| "This is a good place for investment. Ultimately investment will help NI reach its full potential," he added. | "This is a good place for investment. Ultimately investment will help NI reach its full potential," he added. |
| He said other countries around the world looked to Northern Ireland and wondered if reconciliation was possible for them. | He said other countries around the world looked to Northern Ireland and wondered if reconciliation was possible for them. |
| "Northern Ireland is a success story," he said. | "Northern Ireland is a success story," he said. |
| "Obviously more work has to be done. Progress made to date would have been unimaginable 10 years ago." | |
| Peter Robinson praised George Bush's role in encouraging economic development in Northern Ireland. | |
| "We are very grateful for the work that has been done by the president and his ambassadors over the previous years ," he said. | |
| "The endorsement of the president for our investment conference goes a long way and it lets people throughout the world know that Northern Ireland truly is open for business." | |
| Earlier, the First Lady, Laura Bush, and Mr Robinson's wife, Iris, met young people and community workers in the city. | |
| Mr Bush also met Irish leader Brian Cowen and former first minister Ian Paisley. | Mr Bush also met Irish leader Brian Cowen and former first minister Ian Paisley. |
| One of the final stops on the presidential party's schedule has been to Loughview Integrated Primary School in the east of the city where they met pupils and some of the champions of integrated education. | |
| The president and first lady arrive in Belfast | |
| Earlier on Monday, several hundred people demonstrated in Belfast city centre against Mr Bush's visit to Northern Ireland. | |
| Some climbed to the roof of the city hall and erected an Iraqi flag. | Some climbed to the roof of the city hall and erected an Iraqi flag. |
| The protest at Belfast City Hall was organised by the Belfast Anti-War Movement representing trade unions and student and women's groups. | The protest at Belfast City Hall was organised by the Belfast Anti-War Movement representing trade unions and student and women's groups. |
| The police maintained a security presence and cordoned off the road to traffic immediately in the front of the City Hall as the number of protesters grew. | The police maintained a security presence and cordoned off the road to traffic immediately in the front of the City Hall as the number of protesters grew. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown also travelled to Belfast to greet the president and his wife, Laura, on their arrival. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown also travelled to Belfast to greet the president and his wife, Laura, on their arrival. |