Kennedy praises Stormont leadership duo

The visit of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness to the United States was a wonderful testament to leadership and courage, Senator Edward Kennedy claimed tonight.

As he and other Senators met the Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers, the veteran Democratic Senator was struck by their good humour.

“This is an extraordinary moment really for the United State Senate and the Congress,” he told the Press Association.

“What we are seeing now with these two extraordinary leaders and their followers is a period of reconciliation and leadership that is a great example for turmoil not only in our country, but everywhere in the world.

“As we are constantly reminded everyday and in every news report about the strife, the conflict and the death and killings that take place around the world, we have this noble achievement and accomplishment of shared power and reconciliation.

“These leaders are tough minded, very practical and I would say almost idealist in terms of their strong commitment to move the process forward.”

Senator Kennedy, who has been engaged for decades in helping Northern Ireland politicians resolve their differences, warmly received Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness.

Over the years he has been a critic of the IRA and also Mr Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party.

However today he and other Senators discussed with the joint leaders of the power sharing government bringing American investment to Northern Ireland, the lessons of the peace process for Iraq and other conflict zones and also the issue of immigration in the United States.

He presented the DUP First Minister and the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister with the Senate Resolution welcoming their visit.

In return Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness presented a dramatic photograph of Stormont to the Senator, who travelled to the North in May to witness the restoration of devolution.

The framed Senate Resolution was signed by at least four Presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, Chris Dodd, John McCain.

Senator Kennedy said while people talked about leadership and courage in the North there was also a striking sense of humour between First and Deputy Prime Ministers.

“You can see that there is a definite sense of humour, ”he observed.

“They understand that that always adds a pinch of something to the brew, gives it a flavour.

“It is extraordinary and it was an extraordinary meeting.”