| Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC February 9, 2005 Question Taken at Daily Briefing of Feb. 9, 2005 Ambassador Reiss Meeting with Foreign Minister Dermot AhernQuestion: Please provide a read-out of the meeting Ambassador Mitchell Reiss had with Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern.
Answer: Ambassador Reiss and Foreign Minister Ahern had an excellent meeting that included a discussion of Northern Ireland and the status of the peace process there, as well as other international issues. They also talked about preparations for the visit to Washington in March by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, which will celebrate the enduring ties between America and Ireland. This is clearly a difficult period for the Northern Ireland peace process. Trust among the parties is at low ebb and it will take time to restore confidence. We were encouraged last year when the parties reached an agreement in principle to solve issues of power-sharing, policing and decommissioning. We believe that we can return to a position where these issues will be resolved. We also share the view of Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister Ahern that continued paramilitary activity and criminality is now the biggest obstacle to reaching a lasting settlement in Northern Ireland. Notwithstanding the present difficulties, we are confident that the peace process will succeed in building a Northern Ireland political system that includes power-sharing, tolerance of religious and cultural differences and a respect for the rule of law. The United States stands firmly with the British and Irish governments and we are prepared to assist the process in any way possible. It is in no one’s interest to move backwards. 2005/171
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