IAUC Calls on Obama Administration to Fulfill Commitment to Appoint Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

August 12, 2009—The Irish American Unity Conference today called upon the Obama Administration to carry out previous commitments to appoint a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland within the US State Department. A recent statement made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton downplayed the necessity for a full-time Special Envoy role and implied that the post may be folded into the regular business of US-European affairs. IAUC National President Kate McCabe said she believes that the American government has a crucial role to play in realizing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the promotion of peace-building on the ground in the North. On behalf of the IAUC, she asked for final clarity on the Special Envoy and Business Envoy issues.

Speaking from Belfast, McCabe said: “While we have no doubt about Secretary Clinton’s concern for and commitment to Irish issues, anything less than the Special Envoy role that was promised during both the Clinton and Obama Presidential campaigns is simply unacceptable. Each recognized the importance of the role to Irish Americans and to the Irish peace process alike, and made public assurances that the position then held by Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky would continue.

At a Presidential Forum in New York last March, Clinton said, “…having an envoy will signal my personal commitment that it’s not something farmed out to the appropriate desk officer in the state department but instead someone who reports directly to the President.” President Obama made a similar commitment last October in a questionnaire organized by the IAUC, Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. The statement from the Obama campaign read: “After consultations with prominent Irish Americans, and informal soundings with British and Irish officials, Senator Obama affirmed his intention to appoint an envoy.”

McCabe continued: “The focus of the debate should not be on whether Secretary Clinton has the time or commitment to pursue this role herself. What we are talking about is a repetition of a debate that Irish America had with the three major Presidential candidates last year. The focus of the debate should be on when the Obama Administration will fulfill their obligation to Irish Americans.

“The United States has such a rich history of involvement in the Irish peace process, and the appointment of a Special Envoy would be true demonstration of a real commitment to securing equality, sustainable socio-economic development, and peace with justice in a post-conflict society,” McCabe said.

Members of the IAUC, other Irish American groups and concerned citizens are being asked to contact President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton as well as Congressional leaders to show their continuing support for the Special Envoy role.