Obama to review validity of envoy for North if elected

Barack Obama would consider whether a special US envoy to the North was still necessary if elected president, a statement from the Democratic candidate said today.

Ten years after the Good Friday peace accord which enshrined political power-sharing in the North, the Illinois Senator would review whether an envoy or senior administration official would be most effective.

As Democrats gathered in Denver, Colorado, for their national convention, Mr Obama said the crisis for the North had passed and that local people were in charge of their own destiny.

However, SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said he was confident that the North would still have influence in a Democratic White House.

A statement on behalf of Mr Obama said: "Barack Obama understands that US attention and support will be required to solidify the peace.

"But he also recognises that the crisis period for Northern Ireland has passed and that the people of Northern Ireland are now in charge of their own destiny.

"He will consult with the Taoiseach, the British prime minister, and party leaders in Northern Ireland to determine whether a special US envoy for Northern Ireland continues to be necessary or whether a senior administration official, serving as point person for Northern Ireland, would be most effective.

"As president, Barack Obama will personally engage on Irish issues whenever necessary."

The Bush administration has used a series of special envoys including current incumbent Paula Dobriansky.

The Clinton administration also took up the practice, with Senator George Mitchell credited with helping break the political deadlock and establishing principles of non-violence characterising politics in the North.

However, at the weekend, government partners Sinn Féin again threatened to collapse the devolved arrangements in a row over handing down policing and justice powers.

Falmouth Kearney, Mr Obama's great-great-grandfather, emigrated to America from Ireland. He left Moneygall, Co Offaly, on a ship called Marmion.

Running mate Joe Biden has an Irish/American background.

Today's Obama campaign statement was issued through the non-partisan US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit body dedicated to cementing transatlantic relations.

It said: "Barack Obama will continue the tradition of welcoming the Irish Prime Minister to the White House on St Patrick's Day, and he intends to visit Ireland as president."

In April Mr Obama reiterated his call for the devolution of justice and policing and noted the need for reconciliation so that the North's people could live together as neighbours instead of being segregated by peace walls.

He recognised that the Bush Administration continued to support the peace process, endorsing a US investment conference aimed at attracting businesses to the North.

President George Bush visited the North in June as part of his European tour.

Mr McDonnell was confident the North would feature highly on the Obama agenda.

"They won't let it go at this stage. The reality is that the Irish/American vote now, while it is sizeable, it is also significant beyond its size," he said.

"I don't agree that the whole crisis is past but we are in a better place today than 15 years ago (after the paramilitary ceasefires) but we believe we will still need help and I still feel we need US assistance."