McCain Addresses Irish American Forum

White House Republican Party nominee John McCain has said he will retain the US special envoy to Northern Ireland if elected.

Senator McCain told the Irish-American Presidential Forum in Pennsylvania that Northern Ireland's political progress was "inspirational".

Reminding delegates he is of Scots-Irish descent, he said there would be "no weakening in America's commitment to peace in Northern Ireland".

He urged Democratic rival Barack Obama to ensure the US envoy position stays: "Many of those who saw decades of fighting in that proud and beautiful land thought that the day might never come when talking took the place of tanks, and ballots the place of bullets. But that day has dawned in Northern Ireland and we are all - Irish and American alike - better off for it," said McCain.

"When in May of last year the world saw images of a devolved government in Belfast, restored under the stewardship of Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, it captured a political courage the previous generation could have scarcely imagined."

"There remains hard work ahead. It is an honor for the United States to be trusted as an honest broker by both parties to the Good Friday agreement, and if I am elected President, I will continue America's leadership role. I am committed, as I know the American people are committed, to furthering the bonds of cooperation that have been forged in Northern Ireland's peace process. As a demonstration of that commitment, I will continue the practice, begun by President Clinton, of appointing a U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. I know Senator Obama has questioned whether that appointment is needed. I would urge him to reconsider," said McCain.

"If I am elected president, I assure you that there will be no weakening in America's commitment to peace in Northern Ireland. I'll maintain the special U.S. envoy for Northern Ireland, and I will welcome peacemakers to the White House."

"The people of Northern Ireland want the same things that we Americans want - the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their children. It is up to leaders of both countries to create the conditions that will let them do so," he concluded.

Following Senator McCain's visit, the Obama campaign released a statement that said: "Senator Obama has long said that, if elected President, he intends to invest the full weight of his office in the vital Irish peace process.

"After consultations with the members of his senior panel of advisers on Irish issues and informal soundings with British and Irish officials, Senator Obama has said that if he becomes President, he will appoint a senior envoy to Ireland who will build on the groundbreaking achievements of the Clinton Administration and help bring the historic process to final fruition."