Biden: preserving peace a priority

(12 Apr 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Belfast - 12 April 2023 1. Tracking of US President Joe Biden walking on stage 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US President: "The dividends of peace are all around us and this very campus, situated at the intersection where conflict and bloodshed once held terrible sway. The idea, as I said, that to have a glass building here when I was here in (19)91 was highly unlikely. Where barbed wire once sliced up the city, today we find a cathedral of learning, built of glass and let the shine light in and out. It just has a profound impact for someone to come back to see it. You know, it's incredible testament to the power and the possibilities for peace." ++BLACK FRAMES++ 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US President: "There were no guarantees that the deal on paper would hold. No guarantees that it would be able to deliver the progress we celebrate today. It took long, hard years of work to get to this place. It took a people willing to come together in good faith and to risk boldly for the future." ++BLACK FRAMES++ 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Biden, US President: "Supporting the people of Northern Ireland, protecting the peace, preserving the Belfast Good Friday agreement is a priority for Democrats and Republicans alike in the United States, and that is unusual today because we have been very divided in our parties. This is something that brings Washington together, it brings America together. I spoke about this with Northern Ireland's political leaders as well, the Taoiseach and on St Patrick Day's celebration at the White House." STORYLINE: President Joe Biden said preserving peace and the Belfast Good Friday agreement was a priority across political lines in the US as he marked the 25th anniversary of the deal. The U.S.-brokered deal brought peace to this part of the United Kingdom, but a new political crisis has recently tested its strength. “This is something that brings Washington together, it brings America together,” Biden said in a speech at Ulster University. On his first presidential visit to Northern Ireland, Biden stressed that American investment can help fuel economic growth — especially if the fractious politicians in Belfast resolve a stalemate that has put their government on pause. Biden’s speech navigated Northern Ireland’s complex political currents, referring to his British as well as Irish ancestry, and noting the contribution to the U.S. of largely Protestant Ulster Scots as well as Irish Catholics like his own forebears. U.S. involvement was key to negotiating the Good Friday accord, which largely ended decades of sectarian violence that killed 3,600 people. Biden credited people who were willing to “risk boldly for the future” by reaching the agreement. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...