INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE ACCORDS

WHEREAS, Northern Ireland has been mired in over thirty years of political and religious conflict between Nationalist (mainly Catholic) and Unionist (mainly Protestant) factions; and

WHEREAS, on May 24, 1998, the citizens of Northern Ireland passed an historic peace agreement that calls for an end to one of the most intractable civil wars of our time; and

WHEREAS, mayors are aware of the reality that aligning the thinking of Nationalists, Unionists in Northern Ireland and the people of the Irish Republic toward the common goal of peace will be laborious; and

WHEREAS, the peace accords will offer an opportunity for Northern Ireland to give expression to the firm commitment of its people to create an environment where all can practice their faiths and live their lives freely and without fear; and

WHEREAS, the United States government supports peoples that want to settle their disputes through non-violent, peaceful and democratic means,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The United States Conference of Mayors, assembled in Reno, Nevada, June 19-23, 1998, to express its strong support for efforts in Ireland to establish peace among all its citizens.