First Lady Praises ‘Quiet Acts Of Courage’

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton came to this land of sectarian violence Friday to praise the “quiet acts of courage and faith” by women on both sides of the conflict that she said have helped create “a hopeful moment” for peace in the region.

But she warned that the moment could be lost unless negotiators now engaged in the peace talks here have the courage to compromise and reconcile their differences. “All sides must compromise and seek this common ground in the weeks and months ahead,” she said, adding that the United States would stand behind those who are willing “to take risks for peace” in Northern Ireland.

“For the first time in more than 25 years, leaders of Northern Ireland’s Protestant and Catholic communities are meeting, and the world is watching to see if they are able to end a generation of senseless killings and forge a lasting peace,” she told an audience at Ulster University.

Two years ago, the first lady accompanied President Clinton on a visit to Northern Ireland that resulted in a huge and enthusiastic outpouring in the streets of Belfast and elsewhere and is remembered here as a moment of optimism. Within months of the visit, however, an Irish Republican Army cease-fire ended with a massive bombing in London. Now another cease-fire is in place, and serious talks have begun.

Clinton said the examples of women in Northern Ireland are being replicated around the world.

“You have helped to lay a solid foundation for permanent peace,” she told the audience that included many activists. “You should never feel alone in your efforts. You are part of a powerful movement of family feminists working to strengthen democracy across the globe. Your partners are everywhere.”