Northern Ireland Peace Initiative
Introduction to the Speech by Peter Robinson, MP by William
Flynn
April 5, 2006
National Committee on American Foreign Policy
Peter Robinson, DUP
Luncheon - 35th Floor
April 5, 2006
Thank you, President George Schwab. I want to thank
you, Peter Robinson, for the very fine presentation you made of
the Unionist position in Northern Ireland.
I must tell you, it is our strong conviction that
it is your party, the Democratic Unionist Party, that is doing
all in its power to see to it that the Assembly and Executive
are not restored. Furthermore, the DUP rejects the Good Friday
Agreement.
So to put the lack of progress in restoring a democratic
government to the Republicans, and to the IRA in particular, is
distressing. And to place responsibility with the International
Monitoring Commission's report is to me equally distressing. I
have had the pleasure of dining with all of the members of the
Commission just a few weeks back. They gave what I consider to
be one of the most favorable reports on the Republicans that I
have thus far encountered. It seemed to me that their gravest
problems concerned the activities of the Unionist Paramilitaries,
the UDA and the UVF, and their associated groups.
It is my view that the Commission is made up of
solid and experienced men. Furthermore, I happen to be one who
accepts Prime Minister Blair's right to select a particular group
of people to advise him on the situation in the North. Many, as
you know, question the existence of the Commission as well as
the men who serve on it. I accept them completely and am convinced
of their integrity. I fully expect them shortly to conclude that
the time has come to establish a devolved government in the North.
I don't have to remind you that three Irish Prime
Ministers, Reynolds, Bruton and Ahern fully support this. In addition,
two British Prime Ministers, Majors and Blair have supported this
all along with two American Presidents, Clinton and Bush.
I could add the names of many U.S. Senators and
Congressmen. I am pleased that one distinguished Governor is here
in person, Gov. Carey, and he strongly supports the immediate
establishment of a devolved democratic government in Northern
Ireland.
In short, Peter, as I see it, practically the whole
world is in sympathy with the Republican position on this matter.
It has been made clear by the British government
that should the parties in the North fail to establish a devolved
government by November 24th of this year, the British and Irish
governments will take charge and provide for the joint administration
of the North.
I urge my friend Peter Robinson, a member of the
British Parliament and his lovely wife, who is here with him today,
and who is also a Member of Parliament, and also Jeffrey Donaldson,
who I am delighted to see here today, to understand our strong
feeling that no one wants joint administration.
Peter and Iris forgive me for having taken advantage
of my position as Chairman of the National Committee to have had
the last word. I'm afraid I may have taken advantage of you.
Again, thank you for coming here to explain the
Unionist position on the Northern Ireland peace process.
