Young Alliance Chair meets Iraqi MPs on visit to Belfast

11.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

Young Alliance Chair, Ian Parsley

Young Alliance Chair Ian James Parsley has met a delegation of Iraqi politicians in the new Iraqi Parliament during their stay in Ireland organized by the International Republican Institute.

The North Down Councillor stated: "It was a privilege to welcome these courageous men to Northern Ireland, and exchange information on our respective processes.

"Although our circumstances differ radically, our cause is similar - to bring true democracy to our countries.

"We are continuing to build the basic building blocks of democracy even in Northern Ireland - among them universal respect for the rule of law and law enforcers, a functioning market economy, and the basic right to throw out a government and replace it with another.

"The fact Iraqis are prepared to rise to the challenge in a situation hundreds of times more complex than ours should be a lesson to us all.

"The message from them to us was also clear: Do not give up, do not lose faith, and do not forget there are others in the world with a common cause."

ENDS