CLINTON SHOULD BYPASS OMAGH
Clinton should bypass Omagh: relative
By Noel McAdam
AN Omagh councillor who lost a relative in the bomb blast today said President Bill Clinton should not visit the grief-stricken town.
DUP Assembly member Oliver Gibson said the planned visit by Mr Clinton and First Lady Hillary' could "hijack" the grief of the community.
But his comment came as Omagh district council formally invited the President to the town during his trip to the province next week.
Mr Gibson, whose cousin's daughter Esther Gibson was among the 28 killed, said: "Omagh people like nothing more than to welcome people and we have appreciated the amount of sympathy, support and succour we have had from America and across the world.
"But we are concerned that the grief of the community could be hijacked by a man whose credibility is certainly in doubt given that he misled his country, and even his own family.
"While I acknowledge the contribution he has made in his own way, we have to make sure our grief is not used to smother his problems and I think any visit should be postponed or even turned into some form of practical help."
Meanwhile, the council has also set up a Memorial Fund Trust for which a part-time administrator is to be appointed, and is to send floral gifts and letters of best wishes to more than 200 injured by the Real IRA attack.
By Noel McAdam
AN Omagh councillor who lost a relative in the bomb blast today said President Bill Clinton should not visit the grief-stricken town.
DUP Assembly member Oliver Gibson said the planned visit by Mr Clinton and First Lady Hillary' could "hijack" the grief of the community.
But his comment came as Omagh district council formally invited the President to the town during his trip to the province next week.
Mr Gibson, whose cousin's daughter Esther Gibson was among the 28 killed, said: "Omagh people like nothing more than to welcome people and we have appreciated the amount of sympathy, support and succour we have had from America and across the world.
"But we are concerned that the grief of the community could be hijacked by a man whose credibility is certainly in doubt given that he misled his country, and even his own family.
"While I acknowledge the contribution he has made in his own way, we have to make sure our grief is not used to smother his problems and I think any visit should be postponed or even turned into some form of practical help."
Meanwhile, the council has also set up a Memorial Fund Trust for which a part-time administrator is to be appointed, and is to send floral gifts and letters of best wishes to more than 200 injured by the Real IRA attack.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0290
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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