Clinton pushes for N. Ireland's peace work

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged to Northern Ireland's legislature Monday the United States' commitment to the peace process in that country.

"At this time, we can recognize you have traveled a great distance," she said during her remarks to the full session of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast. "But you do not need me to tell you that your journey is not yet over. ... And Northern Ireland is now facing a new challenge with the global economic downturn, which threatens some of the gains that you have made in the past decade."

Peace's value isn't only the absence of violence, she said.

"It is also the presence of new opportunities for investment and jobs, for education and healthcare and political participation," she said. "So it is critical, in this moment of economic turmoil, to protect the progress you have already achieved and to build upon it ... "

President Barack Obama is committed to helping Northern Ireland "finish your journey to put far behind you the long years of division and conflict, to build confidence and trust across all communities and political parties, and to honor the hopes and sacrifices of your people by making whole and permanent Northern Ireland's emerging peace," Clinton said. The commitment also has an economic component.

"I know the divisions within Northern Ireland are not fully healed," she said. "Even today, many Catholics and Protestants live segregated lives ... . But given time, and given the leadership that each of you can provide, the torn fabric of society will be woven together, stitch by stitch, choice by choice."

Clinton is in Belfast as part of a six-day trip to Europe, including Russia.