U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
95/05/25 REMARKS ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN IRELAND
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN




 
                              DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
                            Office of the Spokesman 
                                                                   
As Prepared for Delivery                              May 25, 1995 
 
 
                    SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER 
                                     AT 
     THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN IRELAND 
                         Sheraton Washington Hotel 
                              Washington, D.C.
                                May 25, 1995 
 
 
 
     Cardinal Daly, Reverend Dunlop, honored guests from the United 
Kingdom and Ireland, and distinguished representatives of American 
business, I am pleased to join you today at this important and hopeful 
event. 

     Northern Ireland now has an historic opportunity for lasting peace.  
The British and Irish governments, represented here today by Sir Patrick 
Mayhew and Dick Spring, have undertaken a bold effort to overcome the 
animosity and distrust fueled by years of violent sectarian clashes.  
Now a process of genuine reconciliation is taking hold.  Bombs and 
bullets are giving way to ballots and business.  And the world has seen 
again that even the most intractable conflicts can be subject to 
peaceful resolution. 
 
     President Clinton has pledged to support these courageous efforts 
by the British and Irish governments, and by the people of Northern 
Ireland, to build a durable peace. In Europe no less than the Middle 
East, this Administration believes that the United States must be 
willing to support those who take risks for peace.  Our close bonds of 
history, culture and tradition with the United Kingdom and Ireland give 
us a unique role and responsibility in helping to achieve this goal. 
 
     We also believe that peace can endure only when it produces 
tangible benefits.  Governments can make the peace.  Governments can 
create the climate for economic growth.  But only the private sector can 
marshall the resources necessary for sustained growth and development.  
Only the private sector can produce a peace that will endure. 
 
     That is why President Clinton appointed Senator George Mitchell as 
his Special Advisor on Economic Initiatives in Ireland.  That is why he 
sent Commerce Secretary Ron Brown to Belfast last December to identify 
opportunities for new business links among our nations.  That is why he 
has strongly supported the International Fund for Ireland.  And that is 
why he has convened this Conference for Trade and Investment. 
 
     These initiatives will allow Americans to build on the strong 
business, trade, political and cultural ties that we already enjoy with 
Ireland, north and south.  American companies in Northern Ireland and 
the border counties already enjoy major advantages:  access to the 
entire EU, the largest integrated market in the world; a highly trained, 
flexible, and well-educated work force; and a tradition of hard work and 
fair play. 
 
     Our message to you is simple:  A Northern Ireland at peace is a 
Northern Ireland that is ready for business.  The people of Northern 
Ireland are demonstrating their willingness to settle their once bitter 
differences through dialogue and to build a better, more prosperous 
future.  We stand ready to help.  Working with the British and Irish 
governments, the United States will continue to help Northern Ireland 
attain the lasting and durable peace that has eluded it for so long. 
 
 
Thank you very much.