February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
And if there is one point of agreement that should be dealt with at the outset it is that the United States has to remain involved in the working of a peace that suddenly looks fragile and threatened.
That means the appointment of a U.S. envoy without any further delay. It means an active role for the White House and the State Department with Hillary Clinton, long familiar with Ireland, to the fore.
The meeting after the presentation of traditional shamrock will also deal with the current economic crisis affecting both countries, and most others in the world.
If peace is to be bolstered on the island of Ireland it is more necessary than ever that people feel that they have a shared stake in a peaceful future.
And if there is one thing that will help peace now, it will be a renewed effort to promote a shared future prosperity.
To some, the annual gathering in Washington has the air of one great big party about it.
This year, however, the laughter and the backslapping associated with St. Patrick’s Day will occur against a sobering backdrop of economic hardship, and now mounting political challenges.