| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 26, 2007 Restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive GovernmentOn March 26, 2007, the Reverend Ian Paisley announced that his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) would enter government with Gerry Adams' Sinn Fein on May 8, 2007. UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, had earlier signed an order resuming the devolution of political power at midnight March 25, 2007, and indicated that the UK government would accept a delay in devolution if both Sinn Fein and the DUP agreed to do so. Paula Dobriansky, U.S. Special Envoy on Northern Ireland, said: "The United States welcomes the historic agreement between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams. We congratulate the people of Northern Ireland on their successful election, and welcome the fact that the DUP and Sinn Fein have agreed to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive, bringing devolved government back to the people of the province. Today's agreement demonstrates a new era in Northern Ireland and augers well for the successful establishment of a fully functioning Northern Ireland Assembly." "We also congratulate, in particular, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, whose leadership throughout the process was critical to bringing a successful conclusion." "As Special Envoy, I will do all I can to assist the people of Northern Ireland in moving into full and effective government that fully implements the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements. My discussions with political leaders, policing officials, and community groups during St. Patrick's Day events have convinced me that all in Northern Ireland are committed to working toward a better future. These discussions will continue in the critical weeks ahead." 2007/231 |
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