PRESIDENTS EMOTIONAL VISIT TO TRAGIC TOWN
President's emotional visit to tragic town
By James Stlnson
PRESIDENT Clinton and the first lady arrived In Omagh mid-afternoon for the most sombre and emotional part of their visit to Northern Ireland.
The president was In the quiet county Tyrone town to pay his personal tribute to the 28 people who were killed and hundreds injured in the atrocity just 19 days ago.
The Clintons were accompanied by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his wife Cherie, Secretary Of State Mo Mowlam and Senator George Mitchell.
While some residents had expressed disquiet at this latest intrusion the president was warmly received.
The party first travelled to Omagh Leisure Centre to meet relatives of the victims and some of those injured in the bombing.
Speaking beforehand Teresa Hamilton, whose two daughters, Laura and Nichola, were Injured In the bomb and are confined to wheelchairs, summed up the views of many waiting to see Mr Clinton.
"Yes, there is a lot of security but It's nice he's made the effort to come here. It's a boost to the town when it really needs it.
"I wish everyone would make that effort" she said.
The two girls were released from Altnagelvin Hospital for the day.
Their mother added: "We were a bit nervous about coming back into Omagh again but we were looking forward to being together as a family again."
Nichola said: "It shows that people are thinking about us."
Thirty-four people remain In hospital, three, a man and two women, are still critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Inside the community centre main hall hundreds had gathered to meet the president and greeted him with a round of applause.
Mr Clinton and Tony Blair, along with their wives, spent over an hour chatting with the crowd which included relatives of 23 of the dead victims.
Addressing the gathering Mr Clinton said words were not very good at a time like this but that he was there to express sympathy with the people of Omagh and to support their "determined refusal to let a cowardly crime rob you of the future you have chosen".
"By killing Catholics and Protestants, young and old, men, women and even those about to be born, people from Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and abroad - by doing all that in the aftermath of what the people have voted for in Northern Ireland, it galvanised, strengthened and humanised the impulse to peace."
He added: "Since the bombing the victims, Nichola Emery, has given birth to a healthy baby. I pray that baby will never know an act of terror and will live a long, full life in the 21st century, proud of a home town that learned through the meaning of community."
By James Stlnson
PRESIDENT Clinton and the first lady arrived In Omagh mid-afternoon for the most sombre and emotional part of their visit to Northern Ireland.
The president was In the quiet county Tyrone town to pay his personal tribute to the 28 people who were killed and hundreds injured in the atrocity just 19 days ago.
The Clintons were accompanied by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his wife Cherie, Secretary Of State Mo Mowlam and Senator George Mitchell.
While some residents had expressed disquiet at this latest intrusion the president was warmly received.
The party first travelled to Omagh Leisure Centre to meet relatives of the victims and some of those injured in the bombing.
Speaking beforehand Teresa Hamilton, whose two daughters, Laura and Nichola, were Injured In the bomb and are confined to wheelchairs, summed up the views of many waiting to see Mr Clinton.
"Yes, there is a lot of security but It's nice he's made the effort to come here. It's a boost to the town when it really needs it.
"I wish everyone would make that effort" she said.
The two girls were released from Altnagelvin Hospital for the day.
Their mother added: "We were a bit nervous about coming back into Omagh again but we were looking forward to being together as a family again."
Nichola said: "It shows that people are thinking about us."
Thirty-four people remain In hospital, three, a man and two women, are still critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Inside the community centre main hall hundreds had gathered to meet the president and greeted him with a round of applause.
Mr Clinton and Tony Blair, along with their wives, spent over an hour chatting with the crowd which included relatives of 23 of the dead victims.
Addressing the gathering Mr Clinton said words were not very good at a time like this but that he was there to express sympathy with the people of Omagh and to support their "determined refusal to let a cowardly crime rob you of the future you have chosen".
"By killing Catholics and Protestants, young and old, men, women and even those about to be born, people from Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and abroad - by doing all that in the aftermath of what the people have voted for in Northern Ireland, it galvanised, strengthened and humanised the impulse to peace."
He added: "Since the bombing the victims, Nichola Emery, has given birth to a healthy baby. I pray that baby will never know an act of terror and will live a long, full life in the 21st century, proud of a home town that learned through the meaning of community."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0358
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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