[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
[December 7, 2007]
[Pages 1531-1532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting With First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland
December 7, 2007

    President Bush. One of the great experiences for me during my 
Presidency is to witness historic occasions, and I'm witnessing such an 
occasion with the arrival of Reverend Paisley and Mr. Martin McGuinness 
here to the White House. These two men are--have dedicated themselves to 
embettering their--Northern Ireland through their courage and conviction 
and desire to put aside the past and focus on a hopeful future.
    And so I want to welcome you all here. I congratulate you for 
seizing the moment and writing a hopeful chapter. I'm looking forward to 
hearing about how the United States can help Northern Ireland move 
forward. I know one way we can help, and that is to encourage our 
business leaders to take a good look at the economic opportunities that 
Northern Ireland presents.
    And so I welcome you here. I'm proud of your accomplishments. And I 
welcome you all to say a few comments to the TV, if you care to do so.
    First Minister Paisley. Well, Mr. President, our first words on 
that--[inaudible]. We want to say from the people of Northern Ireland, 
``Thank you.'' Thank you to the American people for all they have done 
for us in the past. We did a lot for you in the past too.
    But what I can say is we deeply appreciate that. And we also deeply 
appreciate the fact that we're here today, and that you have met us and 
have tried to encourage us on this. We have had our political squabbles 
and fights. I think we have come to the end of that. I think that peace 
has come; there will be a fight for peace. You don't win peace; you have 
to fight to keep it.
    President Bush. Yes, sir.
    First Minister Paisley. And we intend to that, and we're dedicated 
to that.
    But we do need help in the economic field. And that--we're glad that 
the door has opened. We have had a very good reception in your country 
so far, and of course--[inaudible]. And when we look back and see this 
mighty army that's following hard in your tracks, we know that this is 
your final. And we say, thank you, and we look forward to good dealings 
between our little country and yours in the coming days.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir.
    Martin.
    Deputy First Minister McGuinness. Yes. Can I too reiterate the 
comments of the First Minister in expressing our deepest thanks and 
appreciation to you and your administration for the tremendous help that 
we have received throughout the course of the process; follows on from 
the tradition of President Clinton and his administration.
    So we're hugely appreciative of both of you for all of the 
tremendous support that we have received. Up until the 26th of March 
this year, Ian Paisley and I never

[[Page 1532]]

had a conversation about anything--[laughter]--not even about the 
weather. And now we have worked very closely together over the course of 
the last 7 months, and there hasn't been an angry word between us.
    President Bush. Thank you.
    Deputy First Minister McGuinness. So I think that that clearly shows 
that we are set for a new course. There is peace and stability. We have 
transformed the political situation. What we now need to do, as you have 
correctly identified, is transform the economic situation so that we can 
give our young people, in particular, a better future.
    I am confident that we can do that, and with the tremendous 
assistance we've received here in the United States, and particularly 
working towards the economic investment conference in May, the future 
looks greater than it ever has in the course of Irish history.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 1:49 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.