COUNCILLOR HAPPY WITH CLINTON'S VISIT
Omagh councillor happy with Clinton's plan to visit the town
By Kathryn Torney
AN Omagh councillor has welcomed the news that President Clinton will be visiting the devastated town.
Pat McDonald was speaking following comments by a fellow-councillor, Oliver Gibson, yesterday that the visit could "hijack" the grief of the community.
Mr McDonald said: "We are aware of Oliver's very understandable grief at the death of his relative and share in that grief.
"We are sure that when the president comes Councillor Gibson will be working hard for Omagh as he always does."
Councillor McDonald said that the council was not in the business of judging President Clinton's private life.
He said: "We see him as an important part of the chemistry which produced the peace process and think it is fitting that he should come to Omagh to affirm his continued support for the process."
The SDLP councillor said that he believes the people of Omagh would welcome a visit from the American president.
"The mood on the ground is that people are trying to cope with an emormous burden of distress," he said.
"The funerals are over and with that we are now beginning to realise the terrible damage that has been done to so many people in terms of maiming, injuries and trauma generally.
"We have not heard a single dissenting voice on the street to the planned visit."
Mr McDonald said that the visit would not be "a semi-pop festival" like the last time, rather it would be "somber, but important none the less".
He continued: "The Omagh bomb attack was an attack on the peace process, the most serious attack yet. But all it has done is unite the community in revulsion, anger and sorrow.
Cllr McDonald also appeared on the heavily criticised Carlton television programme which covered the bombing of Omagh.
"I ended up finding myself part of a tasteless media circus".
By Kathryn Torney
AN Omagh councillor has welcomed the news that President Clinton will be visiting the devastated town.
Pat McDonald was speaking following comments by a fellow-councillor, Oliver Gibson, yesterday that the visit could "hijack" the grief of the community.
Mr McDonald said: "We are aware of Oliver's very understandable grief at the death of his relative and share in that grief.
"We are sure that when the president comes Councillor Gibson will be working hard for Omagh as he always does."
Councillor McDonald said that the council was not in the business of judging President Clinton's private life.
He said: "We see him as an important part of the chemistry which produced the peace process and think it is fitting that he should come to Omagh to affirm his continued support for the process."
The SDLP councillor said that he believes the people of Omagh would welcome a visit from the American president.
"The mood on the ground is that people are trying to cope with an emormous burden of distress," he said.
"The funerals are over and with that we are now beginning to realise the terrible damage that has been done to so many people in terms of maiming, injuries and trauma generally.
"We have not heard a single dissenting voice on the street to the planned visit."
Mr McDonald said that the visit would not be "a semi-pop festival" like the last time, rather it would be "somber, but important none the less".
He continued: "The Omagh bomb attack was an attack on the peace process, the most serious attack yet. But all it has done is unite the community in revulsion, anger and sorrow.
Cllr McDonald also appeared on the heavily criticised Carlton television programme which covered the bombing of Omagh.
"I ended up finding myself part of a tasteless media circus".
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0305
Published Date: 28-Aug-98
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