Bush promises to help North

US President George Bush has pledged to help the North develop its economy and has shown a firm grasp of the issues facing it, the Reverend Ian Paisley claimed today.

As he returned from a week-long visit to the United States with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the Stormont First Minister said he was flabbergasted by the goodwill America had shown them.

“Every meeting in New York and Washington was successful in ways that were unexpected,” the Democratic Unionist leader said.

“We were really encouraged to get that kind of engagement but the final meeting with the President was the coronation for our whole trip.

“We came away knowing that the leader of the western world has a firm knowledge of how things are in Northern Ireland and what we need to do.

“He has given us a promise that he will do everything in his power to help us with the economy and with the investment conference we are planning for American businessmen next May.”

White House and Stormont officials were taken aback by the President’s meeting with the DUP First Minister and the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister.

The discussions overran and also touched on the lessons of the peace process in the North for other conflict zones, including Iraq.

Earlier, Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness met Senator Hillary Clinton, the front runner in the Democratic Party’s race for the Presidential nomination.

Taking a break from a hectic campaign schedule, she told the joint leaders of the power-sharing executive that the doors of a Clinton White House would be open to them.

Earlier in the week, the joint leaders of the power-sharing executive lobbied 25 top chief executives of financial services sector companies to invest in Northern Ireland.

They also secured a promise from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg that he will visit the North next year after the investment conference.

They were also watched by millions on coast-to-coast television in the United States launching the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in Times Square.

Mr Paisley said America was fascinated by the new political beginning in the North, as other countries were too.

“In Northern Ireland there has been a settlement – even our enemies have to admit that,” he said.

“They say they did not know if it will last but I think they have not read the people correctly. The people of Northern Ireland want us to get on with government. They have asked us to deliver what they want and economically I believe it will happen.”

Mr McGuinness said today there had been many highlights during the visit to New York and Washington.

He said they were leaving the United States greatly encouraged.

“Obviously it was a particularly gruelling week and the schedule was hectic,” the Deputy First Minister reflected.

“However given Ian Paisley’s age I thought he was absolutely tremendous.

“The visit has made a huge impact in New York and Washington within the business community who are really anxious to support our economic investment conference and also the politicians on Capitol Hill.

“The decision by Hillary Clinton to spend an hour with Ian Paisley and myself despite her intense presidential campaign was also a tremendous testimony to how she has been affected by the political progress that has been made.

“The words she spoke came from the heart and I have no doubt that she will maintain an on-going interest in political leaders who are willing to take risks for peace and stability.

“To go to the White House from that meeting and spend an hour with President Bush was also hugely significant.

“Whatever our individual views, and I have my own on the international situation, you have to acknowledge the positive role the Bush administration and the Clinton administration played in our peace process.”

Mr McGuinness also cited the switching on of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and a reception hosted by Loretta Gluxman in a Manhattan penthouse for 150 people including the actor Liam Neeson as highlights.

“This visit has had a positive impact on the Executive,” he said.

“It is clear people are enjoying engaging and working together. I made the point in the Oval Office to President Bush that up until March 26, Ian Paisley and I never had a conversation about anything.

“Yet here we are and the work that we are engaged in is remarkable given our history.”