CAPITAL HILL; Clinton: US experts will create Ulster jobs.

Byline: MAURICE FITZMAURICE; STEVEN McCAFFREY

A SPECIAL panel of US business experts is being set up to boost the Northern Ireland economy, Hillary Clinton revealed yesterday.

In a 12-hour flying visit, the US Secretary of State revealed that a group of more than a dozen US businessmen and women will offer their expertise to help create jobs.

She told politicians they must complete the peace process by accepting full devolution although she said the US would not directly interfere in local negotiations.

The newly-formed working group had its first meeting at Queen's University in Belfast under the joint chairmanship of Mrs Clinton and Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.

But she told an audience that US economic investment was a win/win situation that brought benefits to both sides of the Atlantic.

Mrs Clinton said the experts will work alongside a local business delegation to help support the efforts of the US Special Economic Envoy Declan Kelly.

She added: "They will be meeting regularly. They will help Declan develop strategies that can be pursued, that can be mutually beneficial, and will contribute to the recovery of the global economy. In the past 18 months the Northern Ireland economy has been sturdier than many others.

"The people of Northern Ireland have remained competitive, in part because of their skills, their education and their work ethic."

Mrs Clinton said a leading US healthcare communications company was planning a software design centre for Belfast.

And she welcomed plans for a conference in the city which is set to attract leading technology companies based in Silicon Valley. And while Mrs Clinton did not make any announcement of fresh investment she said she looks forward to new opportunities. She added: "We often talk about investment in Northern Ireland but we have also got thousands of jobs created back in the States because of Northern Ireland investment."

She held a private meeting with representatives of the business community for almost an hour at Queen's, before continuing with her other Belfast engagements.

Queen's president and vice chancellor Prof Peter Gregson welcomed her and underlined the university's commitment to building links with the US and pledged its commitment to supporting economic development.

Earlier, Mrs Clinton addressed a packed Assembly watched by guests including SDLP peace process founder John Hume and new Chief Constable Matt Baggott.

She told MLAs Northern Ireland stood as an example to the world and that the US would be behind it every step of the way to devolution of policing and justice.

Stressing the difference between assisting and meddling she added: "The United States is committed to helping you on your journey.

"As a true friend, my hope is that you will achieve what you set out to do... to complete the process of devolution."

Welcoming Mrs Clinton's comments, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness reiterated their determination to make power-sharing work.

DUP leader Mr Robinson said: "We have made more decisions in our Executive than our predecessors did and we have done it in a shorter period of time."

Mrs Clinton paid tribute to former DUP First Minister Ian Paisley who led his party into power-sharing with Sinn Fein.

She said the best guard against dissidents dragging people back was lasting devolution.

The Assembly speech came as both Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness received a letter from Gordon Brown outlining the finances available for devolving policing.

Mr Robinson said hard negotiating has won extra money for the move.

NO 'WALK-OUT'

A DEMOCRATIC Unionist MP denied he and another senior party member staged a walk-out at the end of a speech by Mrs Clinton.

Gregory Campbell and William McCrea left without taking part in the standing ovation following the address.

Mr Campbell said the proceedings were over adding "we all have important business to do particularly the economic regeneration of NI". Earlier, Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay claimed "Gregory Campbell and Willie McCrea didn't clap and walked out when their party colleagues stood and clapped".

Mr McKay said the DUP should apologise for two of their members "publicly snubbing the US Secretary of State".

CAPTION(S):

HANDY WOMAN Hillary Clinton is welcomed to Belfast City Hall yesterday WHEEL DEAL Mrs Clinton and her delegation are cheered as they leave City Hall after the official re-opening 9.30am Hillary Clinton poses for a photograph with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Stormont Castle in Belfast 10.15am MLAs listen as the US Secretary of State pledges more support from the Washington administration for the devolution of policing and justice 12.30pm Mrs Clinton arrives at Queen's University followed by First Minister Peter Robinson, left, and is welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Peter Gregson 2.15pm Belfast Lord Mayor Naomi Long laughs as Mrs Clinton shares a joke at City Hall before she unveils a plaque to mark its reopening after renovations