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The writer is a former American special envoy in northern Ireland
All Irish are on St. Patrick’s Day. Or says the saying. Donald Trump, like all other US presidents from Ronald Reagan, urged the leaders of the Irish government to mark the celebration in the oval office. The mutual toast and ritual presentation of the Samrocks bowl is a symbol of American engagement – political, cultural and economically – with Ireland. While Trump’s administration pauses on a long partnership of America with Europe on mutual safety and trade, there is no better evidence of the mutual benefits of continuing this relationship from the transformation of northern Ireland.
From 1968 to 1998, over 3,500 people died, and it was estimated that 50,000 were injured as a Sectaski conflict known as the troubles raging in Northern Ireland. President Bill Clinton has appointed former senator George Mitchell for a special envoy in 1995 to find a common basis between unionists and nationalists and lure US investments to offer economic capabilities and reduce tension between communities.
During countless listening hours, cajoling and pushing, Mitchell, along with other officials, helped the sworn enemies see a different path forward. This resulted in a 1998 agreement on Good Friday. Over 71 percent of referendum voters in Northern Ireland supported it, as well as over 94 percent in the Republic.
Of course, problems do not end with a peace agreement. Fortunately, the US engagement is not either. Each subsequent administration, on a two -sided basis, has appointed a special envoy to be upgraded on the agreement, demilitarizing paramilitary groups, dealing with challenges with police and promoting economic growth. I hope President Trump will soon appoint his envoy.
This engagement is important. Today, more than 1500 international companies, including over 280 based in the United States, have a presence in Northern Ireland. The region is the world’s leading investment destination for US Cyber Security and main display center with blockbusters like Game of Thrones. The trade agreement between London and Brussels will prove favorable for advanced production companies seeking a simplified access to the US export from the USA of others. Unemployment is 1.6 percent. Since Belfast’s legislation backwards initiated after a 24 -month hiatus, the puzzles for the puzzle finally fit into their place.
However, the greatest achievement of northern Ireland – a gradual reduction in conflict on the basis of identity policy – cannot be measured only by economic indexes. Reflects the power of engagement.
America has always provided public and private meetings for political and communities leaders on both sides of the division. In the meantime, collaboration in politics and business has helped to encourage cooperation on the field-valuable lesson in our polarized political ecosphere.
The old guarantee of the leadership of Northern Ireland gave way to a new generation. The Assembly of Northern Ireland is now running two women, Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Féin and Emma Little-Pengelly of DUP. Their exaltation led to a noticeable change of tone in political discourse. Each leader is making a deliberate effort to express that the future of Northern Ireland is high enough to adjust to the differences. Tolerance accelerates the path to prosperity.
Northern Ireland is a safer, stronger and more prosperous place today because of the consistent and permanent double -sided engagement of the US government and because US business and academic leaders arrived through the Atlantic to support peace.
Today, at the time of hesitation of commitment to exceeding cooperation to ensure peace, security and economic growth in Europe, we should think about the lessons of our unfinished work in Northern Ireland.
