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| Inter-party talks: US envoy Gary Hart begins meetings in Northern Ireland | Inter-party talks: US envoy Gary Hart begins meetings in Northern Ireland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former US senator Gary Hart has begun meetings with Northern Ireland politicians. | Former US senator Gary Hart has begun meetings with Northern Ireland politicians. |
| Mr Hart is on his first visit since being appointed US envoy to inter-party talks. | Mr Hart is on his first visit since being appointed US envoy to inter-party talks. |
| The Northern Ireland parties are trying to resolve outstanding issues, including budgets, welfare reform, and the legacy of the Troubles. | The Northern Ireland parties are trying to resolve outstanding issues, including budgets, welfare reform, and the legacy of the Troubles. |
| SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said his party had a "good meeting" with Mr Hart. | SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said his party had a "good meeting" with Mr Hart. |
| "I was very impressed, because Gary Hart brings a tremendous source of oxygen and energy to our talks and lifts them up a gear or two," he added. | "I was very impressed, because Gary Hart brings a tremendous source of oxygen and energy to our talks and lifts them up a gear or two," he added. |
| He said Mr Hart was "on top of the brief" and had urged the SDLP to stay "tightly engaged" with the process. | He said Mr Hart was "on top of the brief" and had urged the SDLP to stay "tightly engaged" with the process. |
| Earlier, Mr Hart promised to "listen closely" in his first meetings in the new round of inter-party talks. | Earlier, Mr Hart promised to "listen closely" in his first meetings in the new round of inter-party talks. |
| He is meeting political parties individually, and it is thought he will ask them to outline their aims and perspectives. | He is meeting political parties individually, and it is thought he will ask them to outline their aims and perspectives. |
| Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Hart said no-one underestimated the complexities facing Northern Ireland leaders. | Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Hart said no-one underestimated the complexities facing Northern Ireland leaders. |
| He said many questioned whether the institutions could emerge from the "current political stagnation". | He said many questioned whether the institutions could emerge from the "current political stagnation". |
| The current talks are aimed at resolving difficulties among the five parties in the Stormont government. | The current talks are aimed at resolving difficulties among the five parties in the Stormont government. |
| Mr Hart said Northern Ireland had made a "remarkable journey" in the past 20 years. | Mr Hart said Northern Ireland had made a "remarkable journey" in the past 20 years. |
| There had been major political, economic, and social successes, he said. | There had been major political, economic, and social successes, he said. |
| "The United States provided political, economic and social support throughout this period. | "The United States provided political, economic and social support throughout this period. |
| "In co-ordination with Secretary John Kerry, we will determine how the United States can use its good offices to help the parties find a path that will allow compromise and renewed progress. | "In co-ordination with Secretary John Kerry, we will determine how the United States can use its good offices to help the parties find a path that will allow compromise and renewed progress. |
| "Working together, the parties can give Northern Ireland the stable, prosperous, and shared future its people deserve." | "Working together, the parties can give Northern Ireland the stable, prosperous, and shared future its people deserve." |
| Mr Hart was appointed by US Secretary of State John Kerry last week to offer support to the parties. | Mr Hart was appointed by US Secretary of State John Kerry last week to offer support to the parties. |
| Like the Haass talks that ended without a deal last December, the negotiators are considering the problems of flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles. | Like the Haass talks that ended without a deal last December, the negotiators are considering the problems of flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles. |
| They will also examine changes to the way the assembly and executive work. | They will also examine changes to the way the assembly and executive work. |
| Mr Hart met the SDLP at noon, he is now holding talks with the Ulster Unionists, which will be followed by discussions with the Alliance Party. | Mr Hart met the SDLP at noon, he is now holding talks with the Ulster Unionists, which will be followed by discussions with the Alliance Party. |
| Commitment | Commitment |
| Ahead of the meeting, Alliance minister and MLA Stephen Farry said it was time for parties to be honest on the all-party talks. | Ahead of the meeting, Alliance minister and MLA Stephen Farry said it was time for parties to be honest on the all-party talks. |
| "Parties must show a commitment to this process and be willing to attend all meetings and discuss every issue on the table," he said. | "Parties must show a commitment to this process and be willing to attend all meetings and discuss every issue on the table," he said. |
| "The people of Northern Ireland want to see these talks succeed, but that will not happen while politicians continue to put the interests of their party first, ahead of the public." | "The people of Northern Ireland want to see these talks succeed, but that will not happen while politicians continue to put the interests of their party first, ahead of the public." |
| Mr Hart will speak to Martin McGuinness in his role as deputy first minister and as a senior member of Sinn Féin. He is due to meet the first minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson on Thursday. Mr Robinson said on Wednesday that he had taken a telephone call from US Vice-President Joe Biden. | |
| He is also due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers. | He is also due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers. |