Clinton urges parties in Northern Ireland to advance peace process

Clinton urges progress in Northern Ireland peace process

May 18, 2000
Web posted at: 2:19 a.m. EDT (0619 GMT)

From CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged the parties involved in the Northern Ireland peace process to "lift their sights" and "seize the possibilities that are within their grasp."

In a written statement, Clinton noted that May 22 marks two years since voters in Ireland and Northern Ireland endorsed the Good Friday Accord.

Since then, Northern Ireland has made "great strides" toward peace, after decades of violence, Clinton said.

"Today we are on the threshold of a major achievement that will allow the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives to decide their future for themselves by exclusively peaceful means," said Clinton.

"This is a chance to lock in the unprecedented progress that has been attained and propel the process forward. It is an opportunity that must not be lost."

Efforts to revive the power-sharing government in Belfast had been deadlocked, mostly over the Irish Republican Army's unwillingness to give up its arms.

But this month, the IRA agreed to allow independent international representatives to inspect its weapons dumps.

However, some Ulster Unionists want the IRA to do more.

The governing council of the Ulster Unionist Party is to meet Saturday to decide whether to go back into the power-sharing government.

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May 12, 2000
IRA disarmament pledge puts N. Ireland peace focus back on Ulster Unionists
May 6, 2000
Blair, Ahern make new bid for peace in Northern Ireland
May 2, 2000
Royal visit to Northern Ireland spotlights stalled peace process
April 12, 2000
Queen bestows top honor on Northern Ireland's police force
April 12, 2000
Britain, Ireland scramble for N. Ireland solution
February 9, 2000

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