President Barack Obama, G8
Summit Ireland, Sammy Wilson DUP, Gerry Adams TD, Politics
Sammy Wilson DUP was exposed
to some unwanted hand-touching by Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams TD, Sammy Wilson once
pictured running naked through the fields of France appears not to welcome the
advances of Adams today as Obama arrived in Belfast. Adams was recently exposed
in a court in Belfast as a man who had concealed the rape of his 4 year old
niece Aine in order to protect his lucrative political career.
President Barack Obama has
said the decision by people in Northern Ireland to choose peace was
“extraordinary” but has called on politicians to deal with segregation.
In a 30-minute speech to a
predominantly young audience of 2,000 people at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, Mr
Obama contrasted the Belfast of the Troubles, with the presence of soldiers on
the street and the fear that went with violence, with the city today.
“Belfast is a different
city,” he d referring to pubs and cafes full of people asking each other:
“what’s the craic?”
He said this generation
could now travel without the burden of checkpoints or soldiers on patrol.
People could be friends with and fall in love with whoever they wished.
But he said it was up to the
next generation to build a genuinely reconciled society. “The previous
generation brought the ceasefires and the Agreement. The next stage in the
process was up to the next generation present in the hall.”
He said the decision by
those living in Northern Ireland “to choose to wage peace was extraordinary,”
he said. “It gave the world hope. But there is still much work to do; there are
those who are not convinced that the effort was worth it. Wounds have not
healed and there are walls that still stand.”
Quoting WB Yeats, he told
his audience: “Peace comes dropping slow,” but said that did not mean there
should be slow progress.
“We need you to get this
right and to set an example to those who seek peace of their own,” adding that
the fate of peace is decided by each individual.
Others in conflict zones
around the world were taking note of Northern Ireland and “watching to see what
you do next”, he said.
“I admire the Stormont
executive for making power sharing work, that is not easy to do. I applaud
them.”
The president focused on the
need to counter segregation and impressed on politicians the requirement to
take down walls which divide communities, especially in Belfast.
Addressing young people -
who accounted for some 1,500 of the audience - specifically, he said their
world had fewer walls and instant communication.
“Young people fill me with
awe. Here, in Northern Ireland young people have seen even more rapid change.
You have more reason to be hopeful. Day to day life is changing throughout the
North.”
“When those who got started
on peace began they didn’t have a model, the rest now is up to you,” he said.
“Peace is harder than war,
he said. “Its constant fragility is part of its beauty.”
For peace to work we need to
be reminded of its existence again and again. “That’s what we need from you and
from every young person around the world.”
“You have to remind us of
hope again and again, despite tragedy and hardship. You have to remind us of
the future.”
Mr Obama urged young people
to overcome barriers and defend the peace process.
“When you peace is attacked
you have to decide to respond with the same bravery you have shown so far or
succumb to impulses which keep this great land divided for far too long.”
“You should know than as you
move forward America will stand by you. We will keep working to strengthen our
economies. Job and opportunities are essential to peace.”
He said he was confident
young people “will stick to that course” and added that the US would always be
“a wind on your back”.
Earlier, Mr Obama referred
to his visit to Dublin and to Moneygall, Co Offaly, and said he wished he had
known of Irish ancestry when he first ran for office in Chicago.
“It pays to be Irish in
Chicago,” he quipped.
He said he met his eight
cousin recently - “Or Henry the Eighth as he is known”.
“It was a magical visit but
all too short. We have been eager to return to the Emerald Isle and to bring
our daughters too.”
He expressed regret that he
would not have time for a round of golf and mentioned that when he met Rory
McIlroy last year, the golfer observed that the president’s swing needed work.
Tens of millions of
Americans share a link with this country, he said, referencing the significant
Ulster connection with the US since 1776.
He said US core beliefs were
based on Irish qualities: “Perseverance, faith and unshakeable dream that
something better lies around the bend.”
People could not have
imagined that you would host a major world conference, he said and he personally
thanked PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott for security.
Mr Obama paid tribute to
Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness, Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers and
ministers from the Stormont Executive during a speech at Belfast’s Waterfront
Hall.
After his speech the
president and the first lady spent a few minutes shaking hands with young
people in the audience as Irish traditional music played on uilleann pipes
filled the hall.
The presidential party is
now travelling to Co Fermanagh for the opening of the G8 summit.
British prime minister
Cameron is already there and the two are rumoured to have included a joint
appearance in Enniskillen later today.
Canadian prime minister
Stephen Harper was the first world leader to arrive, he is understood to be at
the Lough Erne resort already.
