Peace in North can halt global terror, says Clinton

PEACE needs to be secured in the North to help stop the advancement of global terrorism, Senator Hillary Clinton warned last night.

The former United States First Lady told all sides involved in a new attempt to restore the Stormont power-sharing executive that their success was vital in holding off a major worldwide threat. "What's at stake here in Northern Ireland goes far beyond the potential for lasting peace, justice and the opportunity of economic growth.

"It is a signal event in the unfolding challenge we confront around this world today."

Mrs Clinton delivered her call for a breakthrough in the political deadlock after she accompanied her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, in talks with the main parties and the Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy in Belfast.

She told an audience in Derry, which included Sinn Féin chiefs Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, that nihilistic forces were intent on destroying the modern way of life. But their plans to wreak havoc could be dealt a major setback if a new bid to restore devolution following all-party talks in Kent next month proves successful.

As she gave the Tip O'Neill peace lecture at the University of Ulster's Magee Campus she said: "The need for peace in Northern Ireland goes well beyond political stability. It now speaks to regional Europe and even global stability. "The motive behind the push for peace now goes not only to the security in one's neighbourhood, but also to Europe's security and to global security as well."

Even though the Stormont administration has been suspended for nearly two years following an alleged IRA intelligence gathering plot, Mr Clinton attempted to use his influence as a pivotal figure in the Northern Ireland peace process to get unionists and republicans to sort out their differences. He rejected claims that the Good Friday Agreement is beyond saving and stressed that the political rivals could find a way forward together.

One of the major issues preventing a breakthrough is unionists continued demands for complete IRA disarmament before agreeing a return to power-sharing with Sinn Féin.

Although he accepted paramilitary weapons needed to be dealt with, Mr Adams insisted there were others barriers to be overcome.

"There's a deep problem of apparent unwillingness among unionism to embrace change."