Joint statement on peace process by Bush, Blair, Ahern

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JOINT STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH AND PRIME MINISTERS
TONY BLAIR AND BERTIE AHERN ON IRISH PEACE PROCESS

HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE, 8 APRIL
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We reaffirm our individual and collective commitment to the Good
Friday Agreement and to its full and complete implementation.
The people of Northern Ireland and their leaders have a momentous
opportunity to ensure that peace is strengthened and political
stability is secured.

The opportunity to cement the peace is historic. The case is
compelling; the cause just; the outcome must be fair, balanced,
and comprehensive. The acceptance and implementation of the
Governments' forthcoming proposals would promote the
reconciliation that the people of Northern Ireland desire and
deserve.

These proposals, built on the firm ground of the Good Friday
Agreement, hold out the prospect of enormous progress. They
reflect our shared view that there can be no place in Northern
Ireland for paramilitary activity and capability. The break with
paramilitarism in all its past forms must be complete and
irrevocable. The proposals will encompass a wide range of
additional issues, including normalization, the devolution of
justice and policing, sustainable political institutions, and
human rights. The participation of all parties in effective
community policing, a necessary key to long term stability in
Northern Ireland, would constitute a significant step forward.
There will be a need for a mechanism, one designed to safeguard
the interests and rights of all, to verify compliance with the
key undertakings. All three Governments are committed to
supporting effective monitoring arrangements. Acts of
completion, and a reaffirmation that political change is to come
through exclusively peaceful and democratic means, will renew and
expand trust and confidence.

Peace is its own dividend. At the same time, peace fosters an
environment where entrepreneurship and business creativity can
thrive, where jobs will be created, and where prosperity will
follow. Our Governments have agreed to work together to explore
ways to encourage the flow of investment to Northern Ireland.

We call upon Northern Ireland's political representatives,
community and business leaders, and citizens from all walks of
life to respond positively to the forthcoming statements. We see
no better way to fulfill the promise of the Good Friday
Agreement. They have an unprecedented chance to continue their
bold march from a troubled past to a future of promise and hope
for generations to come. In seizing this opportunity, Northern
Ireland will serve as a model to the world for dialogue and
negotiation, demonstrating to all that what was once divided can
be drawn together in a spirit of reconciliation and respect.