Bush salutes Ministers over power-sharing

The North’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister tonight received the approval of US President George Bush for seizing the moment with the restoration of power-sharing this year.

During a meeting in the White House, Mr Bush saluted the Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness’s courage and leadership.

“One of the great things about the Presidency is to witness historic occasions and I have witnessed such an occasion with the arrival of Reverend Paisley and Martin McGuinness here to the White House,” he said.

“These two men have dedicated themselves to bettering Northern Ireland with courage, conviction and desire to put aside the past and focus on a hopeful future.

“Though I want to welcome you all here, I want to congratulate you for seizing the moment and writing a hopeful chapter.”

Mr Bush said he was looking forward to discussing how the United States could help the North.

He said one way his government could help was to encourage business leaders in America to take advantage of the opportunities that existed for them in the province.