CLINTON PREPARES STRONG STAND
Clinton prepares strong stand by his peace line
When President Bill Clinton comes to Northern Ireland next week it will be very different to his 1995 visit, his ambassador told CHRIS THORNTON
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton will deliver a forceful reminder to Ulster politicians about the sanctity of the Good Friday Agreement just days before they wrestle with Sinn Fein's admission to ministerial posts.
In a major speech at the Waterfront Hall during his visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday, the President will emphasise that the Agreement is a complete package which cannot be tampered with.
His reminder will come at a crucial juncture in the peace process - as prisoner releases are imminent, and before the Assembly Executive is chosen. Both contentious issues are enshrined in the Agreement.
In an advance visit this week, the American ambassador to the UK, Philip Lader, said Mr Clinton will make "very strong statements about the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and its full implementation".
"Whatever else he says or does, this will be a very central component," said Mr Lader, who is Mr Clinton's former deputy chief-of-staff.
Mr Clinton is also expected to emphasise:
American outrage and sympathy over the Omagh massacre.
Continued US commitment to Northern Ireland through economic development.
The ongoing need for the spirit of reconciliation.
White House officials expect Mr Clinton's one-day stopover will be "reflective" - or more low key than his 1995 visit.
During his one-day stopover, the President is expected to visit the site of the Springvale campus in west Belfast and travel to Armagh city.
Mr Clinton will also visit Omagh to pay tribute to victims of the bombing.
The White House said President Clinton saw his visit to Omagh as "a way of continuing to support the peace process and make it clear that those who would use violence to stop the peace process will not succeed".
Mr Clinton may also meet Assembly members during a special reception at Stormont and is expected to hammer home his political message in private meetings with party leaders.
"As you would expect, the President has been very direct in conversation with political leaders," said Mr Lader. "I think you can expect similar conversations while he's here."
Mr Lader said that, on the whole, the visit will be markedly different from Mr Clinton's first trip to Northern Ireland. There will be no mass public gathering, as in Belfast and Londonderry last time.
"This is a very different time." the ambassador said. "While the Christmas visit of 1995 was exhilarating, this is more likely to be reflective.
"Why? It's a different time in this whole peace process. Some of the issues have changed and there is the crucible of very recent events. "
He said the President will dwell on the Omagh bombing and express a "complex mixture of outrage, tremendous empathy and sympathy, but at the same time, a tremendous commitment to the peace process".
"The President will want again to express on behalf of the American people the deepest sympathy for the victims of Omagh and also those who have suffered over the years from other outrageous acts of violence."
Mr Lader, a regular visitor to Northern Ireland, said he believes that President Clinton's contribution to the peace process is recognised.
"Whatever progress has and will be made is primarily because of the commitment of the parties themselves and of the Irish and UK governments. But I've been very pleased to see, from virtually every person I've spoken to in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement, a strong sense of appreciation for the role by President Clinton.
"I like to think that perhaps the greatest benefit of this visit is a reassurance, a reminder to the people of this island of how much the American people continue to be focussed on their concerns and how hopeful we are for an end to violence here and the continued growth of the spirit of reconciliation."
When President Bill Clinton comes to Northern Ireland next week it will be very different to his 1995 visit, his ambassador told CHRIS THORNTON
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton will deliver a forceful reminder to Ulster politicians about the sanctity of the Good Friday Agreement just days before they wrestle with Sinn Fein's admission to ministerial posts.
In a major speech at the Waterfront Hall during his visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday, the President will emphasise that the Agreement is a complete package which cannot be tampered with.
His reminder will come at a crucial juncture in the peace process - as prisoner releases are imminent, and before the Assembly Executive is chosen. Both contentious issues are enshrined in the Agreement.
In an advance visit this week, the American ambassador to the UK, Philip Lader, said Mr Clinton will make "very strong statements about the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and its full implementation".
"Whatever else he says or does, this will be a very central component," said Mr Lader, who is Mr Clinton's former deputy chief-of-staff.
Mr Clinton is also expected to emphasise:
American outrage and sympathy over the Omagh massacre.
Continued US commitment to Northern Ireland through economic development.
The ongoing need for the spirit of reconciliation.
White House officials expect Mr Clinton's one-day stopover will be "reflective" - or more low key than his 1995 visit.
During his one-day stopover, the President is expected to visit the site of the Springvale campus in west Belfast and travel to Armagh city.
Mr Clinton will also visit Omagh to pay tribute to victims of the bombing.
The White House said President Clinton saw his visit to Omagh as "a way of continuing to support the peace process and make it clear that those who would use violence to stop the peace process will not succeed".
Mr Clinton may also meet Assembly members during a special reception at Stormont and is expected to hammer home his political message in private meetings with party leaders.
"As you would expect, the President has been very direct in conversation with political leaders," said Mr Lader. "I think you can expect similar conversations while he's here."
Mr Lader said that, on the whole, the visit will be markedly different from Mr Clinton's first trip to Northern Ireland. There will be no mass public gathering, as in Belfast and Londonderry last time.
"This is a very different time." the ambassador said. "While the Christmas visit of 1995 was exhilarating, this is more likely to be reflective.
"Why? It's a different time in this whole peace process. Some of the issues have changed and there is the crucible of very recent events. "
He said the President will dwell on the Omagh bombing and express a "complex mixture of outrage, tremendous empathy and sympathy, but at the same time, a tremendous commitment to the peace process".
"The President will want again to express on behalf of the American people the deepest sympathy for the victims of Omagh and also those who have suffered over the years from other outrageous acts of violence."
Mr Lader, a regular visitor to Northern Ireland, said he believes that President Clinton's contribution to the peace process is recognised.
"Whatever progress has and will be made is primarily because of the commitment of the parties themselves and of the Irish and UK governments. But I've been very pleased to see, from virtually every person I've spoken to in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement, a strong sense of appreciation for the role by President Clinton.
"I like to think that perhaps the greatest benefit of this visit is a reassurance, a reminder to the people of this island of how much the American people continue to be focussed on their concerns and how hopeful we are for an end to violence here and the continued growth of the spirit of reconciliation."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0291
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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