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Barack Obama: Work still to be done in Northern Ireland | Barack Obama: Work still to be done in Northern Ireland |
(about 3 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama has said urgent work is still needed in the peace process in Northern Ireland | |
In a statement, ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, he said people and political parties had to work together to build trust. | |
He said America would continue to be a friend and partner in the process. | |
The April 1998 agreement was signed after nearly two years of political talks. | |
In a statement, President Obama said: "As Easter approaches, we mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. | |
"The people of Northern Ireland and their leaders have travelled a great distance over the past 15 years. | |
"Step by step, they have traded bullets for ballots, destruction and division for dialogue and institutions, and pointed the way toward a shared future for all. | |
"There is urgent work still to be done - and there will be more tests to come. | "There is urgent work still to be done - and there will be more tests to come. |
"There are still those few who prefer to look backward rather than forward - who prefer to inspire hate rather than hope. | "There are still those few who prefer to look backward rather than forward - who prefer to inspire hate rather than hope. |
"The many who have brought Northern Ireland this far must keep rejecting their call." | |
Mr Obama said "every citizen and every political party" needed to work together in service of "true and lasting peace and prosperity". | |
He said the United States would be there as a friend and partner "at every step of the way". | |
"That is the message I will carry with me when I visit Northern Ireland and attend the G-8 Summit in June," he added. | |
"On behalf of the American people, I salute the people and leaders of Northern Ireland and the model they have given to others struggling toward peace and reconciliation around the world. | "On behalf of the American people, I salute the people and leaders of Northern Ireland and the model they have given to others struggling toward peace and reconciliation around the world. |
"I pledge our continued support for their efforts to build a strong society, a vibrant economy, and an enduring peace." | "I pledge our continued support for their efforts to build a strong society, a vibrant economy, and an enduring peace." |