    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 27, 2000]
    [Page 1045]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Ulster Unionist Council Vote in Northern Ireland
    May 27, 2000

        I am delighted that, with today's historic developments, the
    Northern Ireland peace process is back on track. I congratulate David
    Trimble and the Ulster Unionist Council on
    their decision to return to self-government in Northern Ireland. This is
    a giant step toward fulfillment of the historic promise of the Good
    Friday accord to provide self-government to all the people on the basis
    of equality, consent, and the use of exclusively peaceful means. The
    parties are now ready to reenter the Executive and Legislative Assembly
    in the coming days. It is now possible for the politics of conflict to
    be transformed into the politics of consensus. I applaud the leadership
    of Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, and all the parties. The wind is back in the sails of
    peace in Northern Ireland.

    Note: The statement referred to Ulster Unionist Party leader and
    Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble; Prime Minister Tony Blair
    of the United Kingdom; and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland.