U.S. wants Brexit that encourages stability in Ireland - Vice President Pence

[webfact]

U.S. wants Brexit that encourages stability in Ireland - Vice President Pence

By Alexandra Alper

 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speak during a press conference in Warsaw, Poland September 2, 2019. Slawomir Kaminski/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

 

SHANNON, Ireland (Reuters) - The United States wants the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union to protect stability on the island of Ireland and respect Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday.

 

A proposed clause in Britain's EU divorce deal designed to protect the peace deal by ensuring an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland has become the key sticking point in efforts to agree a managed exit before Britain's exit date of Oct. 31, raising fears of a chaotic withdrawal.

 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has demanded that the so-called "backstop" clause be removed as it could subject Britain to EU rules after exit day, but the Irish government says that can only happen if an alternative mechanism to ensure an open border is agreed.

 

"We will continue to work closely with our partners in Ireland and the United Kingdom to support a Brexit plan that encourages stability and also one that keeps the strong foundation forged by the (1998) Good Friday Agreement," Pence told reporters after arriving in Ireland for a two-day visit.

 

"We understand these are complex issues," said Pence after arriving at Shannon Airport from Poland where he commemorated the 80th anniversary of the beginning of World War Two.

 

On Thursday Pence is due to visit London and meet with Johnson, who U.S. President Donald Trump last week praised as "exactly what the U.K. has been looking for".

 

Pence said he hoped talks with the Irish government on this issue would make Washington "even better equipped to hopefully play a constructive role in ensuring that when Brexit occurs it in turn will reflect stability and addresses the unique relationship between the UK and the Republic of Ireland".

 

The Good Friday agreement, which helped end three decades of violence in Northern Ireland, dismantled all physical border infrastructure between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland, guaranteeing that people and goods on either side can move freely.

 

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month said there was no chance Congress would approve a planned U.S.-British trade deal if Britain's exit from the European Union undermined the landmark 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

 

Pence, a descendent of Irish immigrants, is visiting Ireland for the first time as vice president.

 

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper; Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Catherine Evans)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-03

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[OneMoreFarang]

Did he talk with Donald about that great deal Donald is hoping for?

Trump would be delighted with No-Deal-Brexit. It gives him the best opportunity to get all he wants because the UK can say yes, yes or yes.

Great job, Boris!

[sandyf]

He is preaching to the converted. Once the UK is out Bojo will throw NI under the bus, after all what could be more stable than a unified Ireland.

Governor of the 51st state has become quite appealing.

[grumbleweed]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

protect stability on the island of Ireland and respect Northern Ireland's 1998 peace deal,

Protect stability and respect deals?

A max file size of 14gb forbids me from listing all the instances of instability and broken deals the US has played a starring role in.

[dunroaming]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month said there was no chance Congress would approve a planned U.S.-British trade deal if Britain's exit from the European Union undermined the landmark 1998 Good Friday peace agreement.

Something to reflect on Mr Johnson.  The Irish lobby in the US is very influential and I have no doubt any trade deal with the US would be scuppered with a no-deal scenario.

[puipuitom]

Too many Irish voters in the US. Can be the difference between a Rep or a Dem candidate for president... as is voted per state, not per country

[henry15]

When the Yanks gone learn not to interfere in other countries business.

[zorrow424]

 

  This will bring tears,yes full blown tears,floods of them down irish Micks face.

  All irish brought up to respect this song

[daveAustin]

Ball n chain! If only it were up to Britain, NI would go back to Eire... and quite rightly. Don't buy into all that religio-unionist nonsense. The amount of dumbos I've met overseas - yanks usually - with the ole, why don't you just get out... like derrr, as if the place is filled with English!

 

Best case scenario: NI to Eire, full brexit, Jocks gain independence. Everyone happy - save the nostalgic jocks that will head south to preserve Britishness. 

[jastheace]

4 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Ball n chain! If only it were up to Britain, NI would go back to Eire... and quite rightly. Don't buy into all that religio-unionist nonsense. The amount of dumbos I've met overseas - yanks usually - with the ole, why don't you just get out... like derrr, as if the place is filled with English!

 

Best case scenario: NI to Eire, full brexit, Jocks gain independence. Everyone happy - save the nostalgic jocks that will head south to preserve Britishness. 

not saying you're wrong , but....

pad it out a bit and you could write for the broadsheets.

summed up nicely, but needs a bit more to convince the patriots on both sides.

I know what i would like to see,  an old story read many times, blamed on the English that the English do not give 2 monkeys about, let's see what bojo can do . <deleted> I give up, maybe DT can sort it out

[jastheace]

8 hours ago, henry15 said:

When the Yanks gone learn not to interfere in other countries business.

err..... never

[jastheace]

8 hours ago, henry15 said:

When the Yanks gone learn not to interfere in other countries business.

THE WORLD BELONGS TO U.S.