FIRST LADY SPEAKS OUT WITH STYLE
First lady speaks out with style
A RELAXED Hillary Clinton breezed into Belfast yesterday showing no signs of the scandals which have dogged America's first family.
Making her first public appearance since the Monica Lewinsky story broke, the first lady smiled as she arrived at the Waterfront Hall to address a conference on women's advancement.
Clearly at ease as she stepped from her official limousine, Mrs Clinton smiled and waved to waiting reporters and photographers.
Wearing a stylish navy-blue trouser suit and pearls, Mrs Clinton joined the platform party for the final session of the Vital Voice Women in
Democracy conference and said women's voices could no longer be ignored.
It was the first lady's first official speech since her husband admitted his "inappropriate" relationship with White House aide Monica Lewinsky.
And with intense interest focussed on the scandal surrounding her husband, the first lady's every gesture was scrutinised.
But she rose to the occasion and smiled her way through the hour-long conference before delivering a powerful speech on empowering women to meet the challenges of the future.
Mrs Clinton told delegates she was privileged to see the rebirth of Northern Ireland which she first witnessed during their first trip back in October 1995.
She paid a lengthy tribute to the role of women in the search for peace and said the women's conference provided an opportunity for powerful voices to blend to be part of a new democratic Northern Ireland: "That which people have hoped, lived, died and finally voted for."
Mrs Clinton, who referred to the Omagh bombers as "enemies of peace", warned the road to peace would never be easy.
But she vowed that America would be behind the peace process every step of the way.
"You will only move forward and, as you do, please know that America will stand with you."
America's first lady paid tribute to the unbending resolve of Northern Ireland women to carry on despite years of heartbreak and misery.
But she said that women kept faith and prayed that peace would become a reality.
"It was women's whispers which became a torrent of voices..."
Mrs Clinton, delivering her speech in a clear unfaltering style, warned women that the struggle for democracy would not be easy.
"Democracy is hard work. There is no perfect democracy. It depends on the attitudes and values and getting on with people with whom you have profound differences."
But she said that if basic goals were agreed it would give everyone the chance to go forward together.
She spoke movingly about America and the world's will to see Northern Ireland succeed in achieving peace.
But the audience clapped when she spoke of her feelings as she watched Ireland from her private plane flying into the country.
"It is one of the most beautiful places on God's earth... let us pledge that this is only the beginning."
Mrs Clinton told the audience, which included Assembly members and David Trimble's wife Daphne, that the people were now the architects of a new environment.
Summing up her 40-minute speech Mrs Clinton said: "We all know that women's voices played a vital role in the quest for peace."
During the final session Mrs Clinton listened intently as other speakers outlined their reasons for taking part in the Vital Voices conference.
She laughed openly as one of the speakers, summing up her role as a woman, declared: "I'll bend but I will not be manipulated."
Her speech was given a warm welcome by delegates as they left for a reception at Belfast city hall.
SDLP assembly member Brid Rodgers described it as "excellent and very encouraging".
"She stressed the importance of women...she is a very impressive speaker."
Shankill community worker May Blood said the speech was "very emotive".
"She came across well and seemed to mean what she said.
"I thought she looked quite well given what she has been through recently.
"She looked better than ever."
And west Belfast delegate Bridie Hawkins said she was very impressed by the first lady's speech.
"Every word came from the heart. She touched on a lot of subjects and left no relevant issue out."
Mrs Clinton then attended a reception at Belfast city hall where she was given a rapturous reception.
The first lady will join with her husband, who arrives in Belfast today, to urge all sides to make further political progress.
President Clinton is also expected to lay a wreath in the devastated village of Omagh before addressing a huge open-air peace rally in the Mall area of Armagh.
A RELAXED Hillary Clinton breezed into Belfast yesterday showing no signs of the scandals which have dogged America's first family.
Making her first public appearance since the Monica Lewinsky story broke, the first lady smiled as she arrived at the Waterfront Hall to address a conference on women's advancement.
Clearly at ease as she stepped from her official limousine, Mrs Clinton smiled and waved to waiting reporters and photographers.
Wearing a stylish navy-blue trouser suit and pearls, Mrs Clinton joined the platform party for the final session of the Vital Voice Women in
Democracy conference and said women's voices could no longer be ignored.
It was the first lady's first official speech since her husband admitted his "inappropriate" relationship with White House aide Monica Lewinsky.
And with intense interest focussed on the scandal surrounding her husband, the first lady's every gesture was scrutinised.
But she rose to the occasion and smiled her way through the hour-long conference before delivering a powerful speech on empowering women to meet the challenges of the future.
Mrs Clinton told delegates she was privileged to see the rebirth of Northern Ireland which she first witnessed during their first trip back in October 1995.
She paid a lengthy tribute to the role of women in the search for peace and said the women's conference provided an opportunity for powerful voices to blend to be part of a new democratic Northern Ireland: "That which people have hoped, lived, died and finally voted for."
Mrs Clinton, who referred to the Omagh bombers as "enemies of peace", warned the road to peace would never be easy.
But she vowed that America would be behind the peace process every step of the way.
"You will only move forward and, as you do, please know that America will stand with you."
America's first lady paid tribute to the unbending resolve of Northern Ireland women to carry on despite years of heartbreak and misery.
But she said that women kept faith and prayed that peace would become a reality.
"It was women's whispers which became a torrent of voices..."
Mrs Clinton, delivering her speech in a clear unfaltering style, warned women that the struggle for democracy would not be easy.
"Democracy is hard work. There is no perfect democracy. It depends on the attitudes and values and getting on with people with whom you have profound differences."
But she said that if basic goals were agreed it would give everyone the chance to go forward together.
She spoke movingly about America and the world's will to see Northern Ireland succeed in achieving peace.
But the audience clapped when she spoke of her feelings as she watched Ireland from her private plane flying into the country.
"It is one of the most beautiful places on God's earth... let us pledge that this is only the beginning."
Mrs Clinton told the audience, which included Assembly members and David Trimble's wife Daphne, that the people were now the architects of a new environment.
Summing up her 40-minute speech Mrs Clinton said: "We all know that women's voices played a vital role in the quest for peace."
During the final session Mrs Clinton listened intently as other speakers outlined their reasons for taking part in the Vital Voices conference.
She laughed openly as one of the speakers, summing up her role as a woman, declared: "I'll bend but I will not be manipulated."
Her speech was given a warm welcome by delegates as they left for a reception at Belfast city hall.
SDLP assembly member Brid Rodgers described it as "excellent and very encouraging".
"She stressed the importance of women...she is a very impressive speaker."
Shankill community worker May Blood said the speech was "very emotive".
"She came across well and seemed to mean what she said.
"I thought she looked quite well given what she has been through recently.
"She looked better than ever."
And west Belfast delegate Bridie Hawkins said she was very impressed by the first lady's speech.
"Every word came from the heart. She touched on a lot of subjects and left no relevant issue out."
Mrs Clinton then attended a reception at Belfast city hall where she was given a rapturous reception.
The first lady will join with her husband, who arrives in Belfast today, to urge all sides to make further political progress.
President Clinton is also expected to lay a wreath in the devastated village of Omagh before addressing a huge open-air peace rally in the Mall area of Armagh.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0215
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
Related Images
