NI leaders' first meeting since Robinson freeze on Maze centre
NI leaders' first meeting since Robinson freeze on Maze centre
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have held their first meeting since Peter Robinson's decision to stall the Maze Peace Centre.
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have held their first meeting since Peter Robinson's decision to stall the Maze Peace Centre.
Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness met privately on Monday evening in New York where they are working to encourage investment.
Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness met privately on Monday evening in New York where they are meeting investors.
Mr Robinson has publicly blamed Sinn Féin's backing for a Castlederg parade commemorating dead IRA members.
The DUP leader publicly blamed Sinn Féin's backing for a Castlederg parade commemorating dead IRA members for his decision on the Maze.
Sinn Féin were angry about the Maze decision.
He also denied claims that he intends to stand down as party leader .
Mr McGuinness is certain to have made clear that at the meeting.
He said he would lead the DUP into the next three elections.
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said the two politicians would have to find a way to carry on working together, as they meet businessmen from the New York Stock Exchange later on Tuesday and prepare to hold discussions with US diplomat Richard Haass on Wednesday.
Sinn Féin were angry about the Maze decision. Mr McGuinness is certain to have made that clear at Monday's meeting.
Dr Haass is to arrive in Belfast later in September to chair all-party talks set up to deal with some of the most divisive issues confronting Northern Ireland.
In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport, Mr Robinson said the idea of a peace centre was "a good one", deserving of support.
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he is not stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.
But he said that any centre should be in a neutral, non-partisan site.
Mr Robinson said he intended to lead his party throughout the forthcoming European, Westminster and Stormont elections.
"The public support is not there for a peace centre on that site (the Maze)," he said.
He was speaking at the start of a visit to New York with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
"People think that given what happened in Castlederg, it would be a glorification of terrorism. We would look like a laughing stock to the world if we had a peace centre that was the subject of division."
Mr Robinson told the BBC: "I have full support within the party. No-one has approached me and asked me to go."
Mr Robinson said the concern people had was that it would be used "to deal with the story of combatants at the Maze, rather than the story of the effects of terrorism and the dire consequences of violence".
He added: "There is overwhelming support among the senior members of the party.
But he added that the peace centre was a "minor issue" compared to boosting the Northern Ireland economy and creating more jobs.
"I'm in as strong a position as I ever have been. The Democratic Unionist Party is a party unlike any others, in terms of the loyalty that they give their leadership, and that continues to be the case."
Dismissing suggestions that he was a weakened leader, he said: "I have the full support of my party. No-one has approached me and asked me to go. I have overwhelming support from seniors in the party. I am in as strong a position now as I have ever been."
It is the first meeting between Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness since a letter regarding the proposed Maze Peace Centre.
He confirmed that he would go forward to the next elections.
In a letter to his party, the DUP leader said the centre should not proceed without consensus.
Mr Devenport said both Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness would have to find a way to carry on working together, as they meet businessmen from the New York Stock Exchange later on Tuesday and prepare to hold discussions with US diplomat Richard Haass on Wednesday.
Earlier, Mr Robinson told the Belfast Telegraph that the Maze decision was a sensible act and not a U-turn.
Dr Haass will arrive in Belfast later in September to chair all-party talks set up to deal with some of the most divisive issues confronting Northern Ireland.
Over the course of the next few days, the Northern Ireland leaders are also due to hold talks with outgoing New York mayor Michael Bloomberg at City Hall.
Accomplishments
On Wednesday, Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson will meet US diplomat and former special envoy to Northern Ireland Richard Haass at the Council on Foreign Relations building.
Dr Haass is to arrive in Belfast later in September to chair all-party talks set up to deal with some of the most divisive issues confronting Northern Ireland.
On Thursday, the first minister and deputy first minister will also visit New York Yacht Club for the annual Wall Street 50 awards. The event recognizes the accomplishments of Irish-American and Irish-born leaders of the financial industry.
Mr Robinson said: "We will take every opportunity in New York to promote Northern Ireland as an excellent location for new investors, before the investment conference next month.
"The purpose of the conference is to showcase Northern Ireland and explore the world-class opportunities that we offer.
"It will be a superb platform for making an international pitch and our message will be loud and clear - Northern Ireland is a great place in which to invest and to grow your business.
"I also welcome the opportunity to meet with Dr Haass whilst in New York before the start of next week's meetings with executive parties."
