Special Correspondent PETER KELLY meets US Special Envoys George Mitchell & Joe Kennedy in Boston as America pushes for progress in Northern Ireland
A prestigious line-up of top Irish-American political supremos gathered at Boston’s Edward Kennedy Institute to renew support for the Northern Irish peace process.
In a rare public appearance together, former White House Special Envoy Senator George Mitchell joined his successor, Joe Kennedy III to pass on wisdom and encouragement in his vital trans-Atlantic role.
The Massachusetts special event also featured senior Northern Irish, British and Irish political hierarchy who joined leading Irish-American Congressman Ritchie Neal to push for progress on the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Belfast Agreement.
Senator Mitchell reminded those assembled in the Kennedy Institute’s specially-recreated US Senate chamber that whilst US involvement in Irish peace was critical, it had to be owned by the local parties in Northern Ireland.
“On the very first day of the negotiations I said to the delegates that I did not come with an American peace plan. I said there’s no Clinton plan, there’s no Mitchell plan, there’s no American plan. If there is ever to be an agreement it must be your agreement. And it was.”
The former Senate Majority Leader and federal judge encouraged the North’s politicians to again reach for compromise amid the current stalemate over the Brexit Protocol and Windsor Framework.
“It is now up to the current leaders to act with the same courage and vision as did their predecessors 25 years ago,” he said.
“The current leaders can, and they must, do whatever is necessary to preserve peace to return self-government, to ensure for those they represent, freedom and hope and opportunity.”
Mr Mitchell, now aged 90 years old, told the Irish Examiner USA of his pride at naming his new-born daughter Claire, after a survivor of the Omagh bombing. Aspiring pianist Claire Gallagher was blinded in the 1998 attack which exploded some 4 months after the Agreement was signed. The former Senator posed with a commemorative media front page dedicated to the Omagh survivors, co-written by this correspondent.
Special Envoy Joe Kennedy reminded the distinguished audience of the determined spirit of America’s Irish forebears, including that of his own Kennedy family, which remains his inspiration in the US push for Irish peace and prosperity.
He said, “We gather today much in that same spirit 25 years after the signing of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement to ask the question: what do the next 25 years hold? I am convinced it is a future of peace and prosperity with the enormous effort put forth by generations [of Irish-Americans].”
Speaking exclusively to the Irish Examiner USA, Envoy Kennedy said, “The American people have for decades and generations, bet on the people of Northern Ireland. US businesses can help partner alongside people there to expand economic opportunities across society. That will be a great story for all of us.”
The 42-year old former Massachusetts Congressman, the grandson of former Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, and grand-nephew of former President John F Kennedy, paid tribute to his predecessor and hopes to emulate the Maine statesman’s style and success.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be considered for the role at the request of the President,” he said. “Although I’m daunted,” he joked.
“I think not only of the success that Senator Mitchell was able to create, but more than anything, the trust he was able to build with different people and different parties.
“The fact that through his dedication, his patience, just genuineness, he was able to create the space to have so many different people come together around a really difficult issue is inspirational to me.”
Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III returns to Belfast on October 24 to host the United States-Northern Ireland Economic Summit.