Hillary Clinton Encourages Devolution, Discourages Disruption of the Peace

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that a deal on policing is "within reach" in Northern Ireland. These comments came in response to the paramilitary Irish National Liberation Army pledging to cease the violence they have been inflicting. Sinn Fein and the DUP have been arguing that devolution in Ireland should have happened far sooner, while the British government has been cautious about devolving power, "saying it will only assent to devolution with an adequate financial package in place and broad community confidence". Hillary Clinton and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have been discussing how to effectively devolve the power from London to the government in Northern Ireland, and make basic day-to-day governing possible for the region. Mrs. Clinton is especially adamant about following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, an agreement that basically guarantees a guided and stable devolution of Northern Ireland, until the conclusion of these talks. Ultimately, the goal is to limit violence and keep the region peaceful as the power is exchanged.

Sources: BBC and Northern Ireland Office

By: Grace Heimerl