Post by Shades40 on Jul 30, 2009 10:30:22 GMT
Published Date: 30 July 2009
DEMOCRATS in a powerful state in the US have unanimously voted to lobby for a united Ireland and write to President Barack Obama about the issue, prompting unionist fears of a change in US policy.
The influential California Democratic Party, of which the US House of Representatives' Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a member, passed the Support for Irish Unification motion and voted to send copies to the President, Vice-President and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who is expected to visit Belfast in September.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey labelled the motion "provocative" and called on Mr Obama's administration to restate its support for the principle of consent – that it is the right of the people of Northern Ireland to determine their constitutional position.
The Good Friday Agreement – which all US administrations since 1998 have supported – recognises "the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its status, whether they prefer to continue to support the union with Great Britain or a sovereign united Ireland".
The California resolution, co-authored by Jeannie Maher, president of the Irish American Democratic Club, and Senator John Burton, chairman of the California Democratic Party, states that the California Democratic Party "strongly supports Irish reunification and urges both the State Legislature and the California Democratic Congressional delegation to support all peaceful actions that support the final reunification of the island of Ireland (Eire] by all electoral and diplomatic means necessary".
Unionists said that would, if adopted by the White House, involve a significant move by the US, from respecting whatever choice the people of Northern Ireland make, to seeking to persuade the Province to support a united Ireland.
Last night, Sir Reg said that it was bizarre that the state of California, which faces a $24 billion budget deficit, was concerning itself with lobbying for a united Ireland.
"It is reasonable to assume that the hard-working people of California want their politicians to address the budget crisis at home, rather than waste their time passing ill-judged motions on the affairs of Northern Ireland," he said.
"Thankfully, President Obama's administration believes in pursuing sensible, mainstream policies towards Northern Ireland rather than the unrepresentative attitudes seen in the Californian Democratic Party."
He said it was "unfortunate" that the Californian Democratic Party has decided to support such a motion at a time when there is considerable speculation that Mrs Clinton may soon visit the Province.
Sir Reg said that she would be “most welcome”, but added: “However, the provocative act by the Californian Democrats will lead many in Northern Ireland to ask if this democratic administration will continue with its mainstream policies towards Northern Ireland or if it will be influenced by the unfortunate actions and views of the Californian Democrats?”
In recent weeks Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has been touring the US lobbying for a united Ireland, but Sir Reg said: “The fact is there is no prospect whatsoever of a united Ireland.
“The Californian Democrats have an outdated notion of 19th-century nationalism that has no place in 21st-century Europe. We have all moved on.”
www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Fears-as-Democrats-back-united.5506828.jp
DEMOCRATS in a powerful state in the US have unanimously voted to lobby for a united Ireland and write to President Barack Obama about the issue, prompting unionist fears of a change in US policy.
The influential California Democratic Party, of which the US House of Representatives' Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a member, passed the Support for Irish Unification motion and voted to send copies to the President, Vice-President and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who is expected to visit Belfast in September.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey labelled the motion "provocative" and called on Mr Obama's administration to restate its support for the principle of consent – that it is the right of the people of Northern Ireland to determine their constitutional position.
The Good Friday Agreement – which all US administrations since 1998 have supported – recognises "the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its status, whether they prefer to continue to support the union with Great Britain or a sovereign united Ireland".
The California resolution, co-authored by Jeannie Maher, president of the Irish American Democratic Club, and Senator John Burton, chairman of the California Democratic Party, states that the California Democratic Party "strongly supports Irish reunification and urges both the State Legislature and the California Democratic Congressional delegation to support all peaceful actions that support the final reunification of the island of Ireland (Eire] by all electoral and diplomatic means necessary".
Unionists said that would, if adopted by the White House, involve a significant move by the US, from respecting whatever choice the people of Northern Ireland make, to seeking to persuade the Province to support a united Ireland.
Last night, Sir Reg said that it was bizarre that the state of California, which faces a $24 billion budget deficit, was concerning itself with lobbying for a united Ireland.
"It is reasonable to assume that the hard-working people of California want their politicians to address the budget crisis at home, rather than waste their time passing ill-judged motions on the affairs of Northern Ireland," he said.
"Thankfully, President Obama's administration believes in pursuing sensible, mainstream policies towards Northern Ireland rather than the unrepresentative attitudes seen in the Californian Democratic Party."
He said it was "unfortunate" that the Californian Democratic Party has decided to support such a motion at a time when there is considerable speculation that Mrs Clinton may soon visit the Province.
Sir Reg said that she would be “most welcome”, but added: “However, the provocative act by the Californian Democrats will lead many in Northern Ireland to ask if this democratic administration will continue with its mainstream policies towards Northern Ireland or if it will be influenced by the unfortunate actions and views of the Californian Democrats?”
In recent weeks Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has been touring the US lobbying for a united Ireland, but Sir Reg said: “The fact is there is no prospect whatsoever of a united Ireland.
“The Californian Democrats have an outdated notion of 19th-century nationalism that has no place in 21st-century Europe. We have all moved on.”
www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Fears-as-Democrats-back-united.5506828.jp
