Dublin, Sept. 12 (SANA) US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would “love” to see a united Ireland, describing reunification as a “fantastic thing” during talks with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin.
Trump, who is making a two-day visit to Ireland, said reunification would eventually happen and described Martin as “the right man” to advance moving the process forward.
“Now, the UK would have something to say about it, obviously, but I think it would be a great thing. How can it be bad?” Trump said during their meeting at Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park. His remarks departed from the traditional US position of neutrality on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status, according to The Associated Press.
Martin’s spokesperson said the comments should come as no surprise because Trump had consistently viewed Irish unity as the optimal outcome.
The British government reiterated Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Burnham told Parliament on Wednesday that responsibility for calling a referendum rested with the Northern Ireland secretary and that it should be considered only when public opinion indicated likely majority support for reunification. He said such a vote was currently “off the table.” The UK government identifies Burnham as the serving prime minister.
Under the Good Friday Agreement, the British government must call a border poll if it appears likely that a majority in Northern Ireland would vote to join the Republic of Ireland.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged Trump’s remarks and called on Martin to begin preparations for reunification. Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson responded that Northern Ireland’s constitutional future must be decided by its people, rather than through comments from London, Dublin or Washington.
Earlier, Trump held a courtesy meeting with Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin, the president’s official residence. He later travelled to County Clare to attend the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 demonstrators marched through Dublin to protest against the US president’s visit.
A/Dh
