Senator Hillary Clinton described the groundbreaking move as a very positive announcement and further encouragement that the North’s parties continued to work toward full implementation of the tenets of the Good Friday agreement.
“I want to applaud Sinn Fein for their vote to endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland. So much has been accomplished in this process and I remain hopeful that the parties will continue moving forward.
“The United States stands firmly behind the peace process and we must reach the goal together with all of the people who seek lasting peace,” Clinton said.
The policing decision, taken at an extraordinary ard fheis held in Dublin, was also welcomed by outgoing U.S. special envoy to the peace process, Ambassador Mitchell Reiss.
Reiss, who was visiting Ireland and simultaneously introducing his successor, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights Paula Dobriansky, warmly welcomed the Sinn F