EMOTIONAL FREE FLOW AS LEADERS VISIT BOMB SITE
Emotional free flow as leaders visit bomb site
By STEPHEN O'BRIEN in Omagh
"AN emotional joint visit to Omagh by the US President and the British Prime Minister marked the climax of Mr Clinton's visit to the -North yesterday.
More than 800 relatives of -the 28 dead and 200 injured - including three people released from hospital yesterday - had a poignant private meeting the leaders while 5,000 more well-wishers gathered on the town's High Street. President Clinton told the injured and bereaved the shocking and perverse bomb attack on their town and loved ones had "galvanised, strengthened and humanised the impulse to peace".
He told the hushed gathering at the Omagh Leisure Centre: "people are saying to me, it's high time that the few stop ruining the lives of the many; high time that those who hate stop bullying those who hope; high time to stop the lilt of laughter and language being drowned out by bombs and guns and sirens; high time to stop yesterday's nightmares from killing tomorrow's dreams".
What happened on August 15 was "so incredibly unreasonable, so shocking to the conscience of every decent person in this land that it has perversely had exactly the reverse impact that the people who perpetrated this act intended".
Mr Clinton was accompanied by his wife Hillary, US Ambassador to Britain Philip Lader and former North talks chairman Senator George Mitchell, as well as Mr Blair, his wife Cherie and North Secretary Mo Mowlam.
"We come to tell you that a long way away, the American people have mourned the loss of 28 innocents and all those who were injured." He added: "to all of you we thank you for standing up in the face of such a soul-searing loss, and restating your determination to walk the road of peace."
The presidential party then moved amid massive security to Market Street, the site of the bomb blast where the president unveiled a bronze plaque from himself and his wife in memory of those who were lost.
The dedication read: "In rememberence of the men, women and children who died in the terrorist bombing of August 15 1998. May your memory serve to foster peace and reconciliation. Presented on the occasion of the visit by the President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, September 3 1998.
The plaque which was mounted yesterday on a temporary plinth beside the rubble ruins of S D Kell's shop is expected to fixed permanently to the wall of the building when it is eventually rebuilt.
As her husband unveiled the memorial Mrs Clinton laid a simple bouquet of three white flowers tied with a white ribbon beside the scorched crater which still marks the seat of the blast.
The solemn moment over, the Clintons and Blairs strolled to greet 1500 specially invited guests along the town's High Street, these included nurses from the six hospitals in Tyrone, Fermanagh, Derry and Belfast who helped treat the injured and dying, police officers, fire brigade personnel, ambulance crews and other emergency personnel who faced the trauma of dealing with the aftermath of the bomb.
The invited guests also included local Ulster MP Willie Thompson, Sinn Fein Assembly member Pat Doherty and members of Omagh District Council, Donegal County Council and Buncrana Urban Council.
Children from Scoil losagain in Buncrana and Londonderry Foyle Prep School, former classmates of Buncrana boys Oran Doherty, Shaun McLaughlin and James Barker joined dozens of Omagh schoolchildren in the reserved section and attracted special attention from the president as he "worked the rope".
The festive atmosphere subsided again when group arrived outside Watterson's drapery store.
It was from Watterson's that shop assistants Ann McCombe, Geraldine Breslin, Veda Shortt and customer Olive Hawkes were evacuated when the bomb warning was received at 2.30pm and the area around the courthouse cleared. The four women walked unknowing into the path of the bomb and lost their lives together on that tragic afternoon.
Mr Clinton and Mr Blair stood silently, heads bowed as Hillary and Cherie laid two simple wreaths in the doorway of the store.
Both will be put on display in the shop window as a tribute to the lost staff, one employee later confirmed.
By STEPHEN O'BRIEN in Omagh
"AN emotional joint visit to Omagh by the US President and the British Prime Minister marked the climax of Mr Clinton's visit to the -North yesterday.
More than 800 relatives of -the 28 dead and 200 injured - including three people released from hospital yesterday - had a poignant private meeting the leaders while 5,000 more well-wishers gathered on the town's High Street. President Clinton told the injured and bereaved the shocking and perverse bomb attack on their town and loved ones had "galvanised, strengthened and humanised the impulse to peace".
He told the hushed gathering at the Omagh Leisure Centre: "people are saying to me, it's high time that the few stop ruining the lives of the many; high time that those who hate stop bullying those who hope; high time to stop the lilt of laughter and language being drowned out by bombs and guns and sirens; high time to stop yesterday's nightmares from killing tomorrow's dreams".
What happened on August 15 was "so incredibly unreasonable, so shocking to the conscience of every decent person in this land that it has perversely had exactly the reverse impact that the people who perpetrated this act intended".
Mr Clinton was accompanied by his wife Hillary, US Ambassador to Britain Philip Lader and former North talks chairman Senator George Mitchell, as well as Mr Blair, his wife Cherie and North Secretary Mo Mowlam.
"We come to tell you that a long way away, the American people have mourned the loss of 28 innocents and all those who were injured." He added: "to all of you we thank you for standing up in the face of such a soul-searing loss, and restating your determination to walk the road of peace."
The presidential party then moved amid massive security to Market Street, the site of the bomb blast where the president unveiled a bronze plaque from himself and his wife in memory of those who were lost.
The dedication read: "In rememberence of the men, women and children who died in the terrorist bombing of August 15 1998. May your memory serve to foster peace and reconciliation. Presented on the occasion of the visit by the President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, September 3 1998.
The plaque which was mounted yesterday on a temporary plinth beside the rubble ruins of S D Kell's shop is expected to fixed permanently to the wall of the building when it is eventually rebuilt.
As her husband unveiled the memorial Mrs Clinton laid a simple bouquet of three white flowers tied with a white ribbon beside the scorched crater which still marks the seat of the blast.
The solemn moment over, the Clintons and Blairs strolled to greet 1500 specially invited guests along the town's High Street, these included nurses from the six hospitals in Tyrone, Fermanagh, Derry and Belfast who helped treat the injured and dying, police officers, fire brigade personnel, ambulance crews and other emergency personnel who faced the trauma of dealing with the aftermath of the bomb.
The invited guests also included local Ulster MP Willie Thompson, Sinn Fein Assembly member Pat Doherty and members of Omagh District Council, Donegal County Council and Buncrana Urban Council.
Children from Scoil losagain in Buncrana and Londonderry Foyle Prep School, former classmates of Buncrana boys Oran Doherty, Shaun McLaughlin and James Barker joined dozens of Omagh schoolchildren in the reserved section and attracted special attention from the president as he "worked the rope".
The festive atmosphere subsided again when group arrived outside Watterson's drapery store.
It was from Watterson's that shop assistants Ann McCombe, Geraldine Breslin, Veda Shortt and customer Olive Hawkes were evacuated when the bomb warning was received at 2.30pm and the area around the courthouse cleared. The four women walked unknowing into the path of the bomb and lost their lives together on that tragic afternoon.
Mr Clinton and Mr Blair stood silently, heads bowed as Hillary and Cherie laid two simple wreaths in the doorway of the store.
Both will be put on display in the shop window as a tribute to the lost staff, one employee later confirmed.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/227
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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