Washington, March 17, SPA -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with her Irish counterpart – Foreign Minister Michael Martin – on Monday and denounced what she called a “rejectionist” minority that was trying to push Northern Ireland towards violence. “In recent days, a handful of rejectionists have tried to drag the people of Northern Ireland back into a full cycle of violence and retaliation. The recent attacks, which killed two British soldiers and a police officer, are an affront to the values of every community, every ethnicity, every religion and every nation that seeks peace,” Clinton said. Clinton noted that she visited Northern Ireland numerous times as First Lady, while her husband and then-President Bill Clinton was working to secure a peace deal. She said the strength of the people she met convinced her that the violent minority would not prevail. “I want to commend the entire leadership of Northern Ireland as well as the Irish and British governments for their constructive statements and their strong resolve in the face of this attack. I hope that the recent arrests will bring an end to these tragic events, and allow the people of Northern Ireland to continue to move forward, not only with the important work of reconciliation, but with prosperity and progress that will redound to the benefit of all,” she said. “The United States stands with the people of Northern Ireland. We will not let criminals destroy the gains that have been achieved through great courage and sacrifice,” Clinton added. Foreign Minister Martin also made reference to what he termed “the tragic events of the past week, when three lives were needlessly and senselessly lost, as a result of unacceptable and criminal attacks by dissidents.” “What has emerged from the past week, as I spoke and discussed with Secretary Clinton, has been a very strong unity of purpose from both the Irish and the British government, and, indeed, from all of the political parties on the island of Ireland,” Martin said. “It has demonstrated a very significant unity of purpose in ensuring that we will never go back to the bad old days,” Martin added.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/645183