North should 'accentuate the positive' says US ambassador

The US ambassador to the UK has advised the people of Northern Ireland to take pride in "the example they have given the world" and to "accentuate the positive aspects" of the peace dividend.

In what had been billed as the US administration's current thinking on Northern Ireland, US ambassador to the UK William Farish emphasized the economic advances made since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the future rewards for continued peace.

Throughout a buoyant speech, the ambassador underlined both the commitment of the US administration to the province whilst also stressing that the lead within the north must come from the elected representatives of both communities. He also said that the business community had a special role, adding that "what is good for business is what is good for the community at large". He said that during the stability of peace US firms had created 20,000 jobs in the country since 1994, whereas the total number of jobs created had increased by 35,000.

The ambassador, who has visited Northern Ireland five times in the last seven months, talked of his affinity for Belfast, which he described "as a special city". He told the gathering that Northern Ireland "deserves permanent peace and prosperity".

However, he had stern words for those who were involved in the Holy Cross protests who were detrimental to the travel and investment prospects for the province.

On a more general note, he said that the US economy was turning around and with market analysts suggesting that growth in the second quarter could top four per cent – invigorated by a seven per cent hike in retail sales.

William Farish was named as ambassador to the UK in March 2001 and he arrived in Britain in mid-July.

(GMcG)