Senator George Mitchell:

I thank the Chairman and members of the committee for inviting me to join them today. As they requested, I have prepared a brief opening statement, which I will read. I will then be pleased to respond to questions. As the Chairman noted, it was 24 years ago that the people of Northern Ireland changed the course of their history. They worked for, voted for and established a democratic and peaceful process as their preferred form of governance. They rejected violence as a way to resolve their political differences. They had the strong support of the people of Ireland, who also voted overwhelmingly for the agreement, and the support of the eight political parties in Northern Ireland who negotiated the agreement along with the governments of Ireland and the UK. On the evening the agreement was reached, I commented on and commended the men and women who negotiated and signed the agreement. In the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances, they acted with courage, strength and vision. However, I also said that evening that it would take other leaders in the future to safeguard and extend their work.

Today, nearly a quarter of a century later, the people of Northern Ireland continue to wrestle with their doubts, differences and disagreements. That is, and should not be, a surprise. No society is free of differences and disagreements but unlike in the times prior to the agreement, they are trying to resolve their differences through democratic and peaceful means, not through violence. Imperfectly to be sure, it involves slowly trying to work forward with occasional steps backwards but with the support of the governments and people of Ireland, the UK and people of good will all around the world, they must be encouraged to resolve their differences peacefully. The solutions will not be perfection or permanence so it is for the current leadership in Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK to find practical and workable solutions and answers to their current problems and preserve the peace, freedom and opportunity for their people.

From 1995 through 1999, I had the privilege of serving in Northern Ireland. I am often asked about what about those years is most important to me. My answer is in the following numbers: between 1968 and 1998 in Northern Ireland during what had come to be known as the Troubles, approximately 3,500 people were killed and an estimated 50,000 were injured and between 1998 and the present, there have been approximately 160 security-related deaths. I believe that latter figure includes the 30 people killed in a single tragic bombing in Omagh in August 1998.

With enormous patience and skill over several years and under several different governments, Ireland and the UK played crucial roles in establishing the process that led to the talks and ultimately to agreement. Ireland is now directly engaged in that continuing effort and for that, I commend it. I wish politicians here and their counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK the best of success.

In conclusion, I will make some personal comments. I am sorry that I cannot be with the committee today in Dublin. As members may know, approximately two years ago, I was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Since then, I have been treated with chemotherapy in hospitals and now as an outpatient. As a result, my ability to function, travel and appear at public events has been severely limited and I have suffered some decline in memory and hearing. However, what has happened and what will happen in Northern Ireland means a great deal to me so I am very grateful to the Chairman and the members of the committee for letting me participate in this way. I am now pleased to respond to all their questions.