USA trip great success, Kennedy

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The visit by the first and deputy first ministers to the USA was a great success, Senator Ted Kennedy has said.

Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness met prominent business figures including President Bush and Senator Hillary Clinton.

They also spent an hour with Senator Kennedy who said US companies now viewed Northern Ireland as an area for possible investment.

He said US firms "were looking forward to this interesting opportunity".

President Bush told Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness he "would do his best to help Northern Ireland".

The meeting marked the climax of the pair's five-day visit to the United States.

The two men also had talks with the head of the national security council Stephen Hadley.

Earlier, Senator Hillary Clinton said there would be an open door for the first and deputy first ministers if she were elected to the White House.

Congressman Jim Walsh proposed that formal links be established between Stormont and Congress.

The Politics Show, BBC 1200 GMT.