Adams Says Process Survives Paisley

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Adams Says Process Survives Paisley

March 19, 2008

By April Drew

SINN Fein President Gerry Adams says the transition between Northern First Minister Ian Paisley and whoever replaces him in May may cause a “turbulence” in the power-sharing executive.

“Ian Paisley has been the only leader in the history of the DUP party. In his own right he is a big figure in Irish politics so there is bound to be a degree of uncertainty and disturbance when the transition occurs,” he said during an interview with the Irish American media in New York last week.

Adams was in New York last week attending to political business and participating in various St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. He also went to Buffalo and Washington, D.C. during his trip.

But on a positive note, Adams said he met with DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson recently, who is widely seen as Paisley’s successor. Adams doesn’t see any reason why a fruitful working relationship couldn’t continue to grow and expand.

“I see no reason why the success won’t continue,” he commented.

Adams, who arrived in New York last Thursday, met with reporters at the Affinia Hotel in Manhattan on Friday, March 14. He spent the first few minutes reflecting on what has been achieved in Northern Ireland since his visit to New York last St. Patrick’s Day.

“This time last year there was no power-sharing agreements in place or no political solutions, but things have come a long way,” he said

Commending the Irish government’s role in the power sharing executive, Adams said, “The Irish government has played a tremendous role in all of this, especially a financial role, and various dimensions have been worked upon, in particular the health and agriculture sector,” he said.

However, Adams attributes much of the success to the “friendly and cordial” relationship that has developed between Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein. “A lot of it has pivoted around them” said Adams.

Adams also discussed the upcoming investment conference scheduled for May in Belfast. He hopes that unsettled matters leading up to the conference will have ironed themselves out.

Adams stated he felt it is important to get issues such as the transfer of power on policing and justice and the Irish Language Act sorted out before the conference to prevent the undermining of the investment potential in Ireland.

“I think it’s very important that there is a social dimension to it also. Obviously we want investment and we want the to avail of the very best opportunities,” he said.

Mid-interview, Adams received what he called good news, that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be attending the conference in May.

Rita O’ Hare, Sinn Fein representative to the U.S., said that Paula Dobriansky, special envoy on Northern Ireland, has played a vital role in talks with the power-sharing Executive.

“The American government have helped out and made it clear they want to see devolution as per the St. Andrews deal on May 8,” said O’Hare.

Adams agreed and added, “The U.S. came out very positively in support of the St. Andrews agreement, so therefore that begs a responsibility of the administration to try effectively to ensure that the St. Andrews agreement is implemented.”

Asked how he would assess Senator Hillary Clinton’s role in the peace process, Adams said, “Well, the first thing I’m not going to do is get involved in your elections. I met the three candidates and I wish them well,” he said, explaining that Sinn Fein receives support from both Republicans and Democrats. “Strong supporters in Irish America have come from both those parties.”

However, Adams added, “I did take exception to David Trimble saying that she (Clinton) had no role in the peace process. That is not true. For the record it would have to be said that she did play a positive role in the peace process.”

Speaking about a united Ireland in the coming years, both Adams and O’Hare agreed that the time is now.

“We are not introducing a new concept here. It’s something that can be done and the timing is right,” said O’Hare. “There is no reason why we can’t have a united Ireland by 2016,” which marks the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising.

“We need to see national conversation between people who are Irish and who love Ireland. In the next few years a lot of work can be done,” said Adams.

Irish America has been involved all the way in Northern Irish issues, particularly in three obvious areas, said Adams.

“The Irish Americans mobilized hugely during the hunger strikes in 1981, the MacBride Principles was another huge point, and the support for the peace process from America was the most successful,” he stressed.

“A lot of the support was passive, which is understandable, and the challenge for us now will be to find a formula where the average Irish American can give us support, even if it’s only an hour a week,” said Adams.

On Saturday, March 15 Adams traveled to Buffalo, New York where he participated, by invitation of Congressman Brian Higgins in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Buffalo. Before leaving the city, Mayor Byron W. Brown, describing Adams as a “true hero,” and presented him with a key to the city.

Adams also attended a St. Patrick’s reception organized by Friends of Sinn Fein in New York on Thursday, March 13. On St. Patrick’s Day, he hosted a Friends of Sinn Fein breakfast in Washington, D.C. He also attended the Capitol Hill luncheon hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the same day.

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