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US diplomat, Senator George Mitchell, is set to receive an award in Belfast for brokering the 1998 peace accord.<\/p>\nUS diplomat, Senator George Mitchell, is set to receive an award in Belfast for brokering the 1998 peace accord.<\/p>\n
Senator Mitchell chaired the Belfast Agreement talks which led to an historic deal and the establishment of the power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly.<\/p>\n
More than two decades later the statesman is set to return to Belfast where he will be honored by charity bosses at a special awards ceremony.<\/p>\n
Senator Mitchell is to receive an honorary award for leadership and peace building in Northern Ireland from CO3, the leadership organisation for the third sector, next month.<\/p>\n
Senator Mitchell was appointed US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland in 1995.<\/p>\n
He acted as a facilitator in the review of the deadlocked process, helping to find a way to implement an inclusive power-sharing executive and the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.<\/p>\n
The Maine man later wrote that when the Good Friday Agreement was signed: \u201cI took a deep breath and felt tears welling in my eyes. I had to sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nora Smith, chief executive of CO3, said Northern Ireland owes Senator Mitchell a \u201cgreat debt of gratitude\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge Mitchell made a remarkable contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. His achievements mean so much to everyone, but this is especially strongly felt by the voluntary and community sector,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter all, it does not seem so very long ago when it seemed as if civil society was all that stood between Northern Ireland and the abyss.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe both wanted to honor him and take inspiration from him. With no government in place and all the uncertainty and division that Brexit is causing, we need strong leaders to bring us together more than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we look back at what Senator Mitchell played such a leading part in achieving, his extraordinary ability to bring people together seems even more remarkable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe owe him a great debt of gratitude and we need leaders like that today.\u201d<\/p>\n