Purpose of the Clinton Visit

Now that we have a few minutes where nothing is happening (and the Close Protection Unit have supplied coffee!) I can get a chance to have a think about why this is all happening. Why is the second most powerful politician in the world coming to 'our wee country'?

It is a case that the Clinton's have developed over the years a very close affinity with the people of this island and a genuine concern for its future. The focus of the future is principally economic as opposed to purely political.

Northern Ireland is also seen as a success story in terms of peace processes. (Today the INLA said that it would decommission weapons) Wouldn't it be a great legacy to Northern Ireland and a big thank you to those countries like the United States, who have helped us, if one of our major exports was a guide to resolving conflict?

The US Secretary of State recently appointed Declan Kelly as the new Special Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. His aim is to quickly get positive economic results for both NI and the USA. We need to take full advantage of this great, and possibly temporary, opportunity to be a centrepiece of foreign policy for the USA.

This important visit will naturally act as a stimulus for our politicians to see the bigger picture and focus on issues that genuinely matter to people.

I do get a sense that our luck will eventually run out and that other areas from around the world will become the focus of attention.

Policing and Justice has been the major distraction here for weeks, months or even years and it now needs to be sorted so that the economy can have the full and undivided attention of our politicians.

This visit is our opportunity to shine on the world stage, so let us show the world that Northern Ireland is open for business.