US PLEDGE TO HELP STAMP OUT TERROR
US pledge to help stamp out terror
By Martina Purdy
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton brought a strong message that violence must be stamped out for good in Northern Ireland.
In his keynote address at the Waterfront Hall, Mr Clinton warned there must be no shelter for those who carried out such reprehensible acts as the Omagh bombing and the murders of the Quinn children.
He dismissed those engaged in violence and their political allies as a small minority.
The President reassured the people of Northern Ireland that the US would do all in its power to ensure groups such as the Real IRA are not able to find succour and financial support in America.
Mr Clinton was joined on the platform by Lord Mayor David Alderdice, First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In his address, Mr Trimble said he was determined politicians would do "everything we can to make the Agreement work".
In a direct appeal to Sinn Fein and the loyalist parties, the UUP leader called on them to disarm and "dismantle their terrorist organisations'".
Acknowledging the "welcome development this week," Mr Trimble urged all "crossing the bridge from terror to democracy" to "keep moving forward".
"Every move you make towards peace, I welcome. Every pledge you make to peace, I will hold you to it.
"And as First Minister, I will work with anyone who has the interests of peace at heart.
"I will be frank. I will be firm. Each part of the Agreement, including decommissioning must be implemented.
"But if you take the road of peace and do so in genuine faith, you will find me a willing leader in that journey."
Earlier, President Clinton met Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon privately at Stormont, where the Prime Minister waited at the foot of the stone steps to greet Mr Clinton.
Inside Parliament Buildings Lord Alderdice warmly greeted the President before he went into private meetings.
Mr Clinton also met with all the groupings of the Assembly in the Long Gallery at Stormont, including the DUP who gave him a frank assessment of their opposition to Sinn Fein's involvement in government.
By Martina Purdy
PRESIDENT Bill Clinton brought a strong message that violence must be stamped out for good in Northern Ireland.
In his keynote address at the Waterfront Hall, Mr Clinton warned there must be no shelter for those who carried out such reprehensible acts as the Omagh bombing and the murders of the Quinn children.
He dismissed those engaged in violence and their political allies as a small minority.
The President reassured the people of Northern Ireland that the US would do all in its power to ensure groups such as the Real IRA are not able to find succour and financial support in America.
Mr Clinton was joined on the platform by Lord Mayor David Alderdice, First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In his address, Mr Trimble said he was determined politicians would do "everything we can to make the Agreement work".
In a direct appeal to Sinn Fein and the loyalist parties, the UUP leader called on them to disarm and "dismantle their terrorist organisations'".
Acknowledging the "welcome development this week," Mr Trimble urged all "crossing the bridge from terror to democracy" to "keep moving forward".
"Every move you make towards peace, I welcome. Every pledge you make to peace, I will hold you to it.
"And as First Minister, I will work with anyone who has the interests of peace at heart.
"I will be frank. I will be firm. Each part of the Agreement, including decommissioning must be implemented.
"But if you take the road of peace and do so in genuine faith, you will find me a willing leader in that journey."
Earlier, President Clinton met Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon privately at Stormont, where the Prime Minister waited at the foot of the stone steps to greet Mr Clinton.
Inside Parliament Buildings Lord Alderdice warmly greeted the President before he went into private meetings.
Mr Clinton also met with all the groupings of the Assembly in the Long Gallery at Stormont, including the DUP who gave him a frank assessment of their opposition to Sinn Fein's involvement in government.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0359
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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