CLINTON PROVED HE HAS CREDENTIALS
Clinton proved he has credentials
THIS has been an important week for Ireland and another memorable one for President Bill Clinton.
His second visit as president was always going to be of a different order from the first. And while November 1995 will be remembered for its sense of joy and jubilation, this visit has had its moments too.
Perhaps the biggest achievement was the president and first lady's ability to tap into the emotions at a human level.
Whatever the worries about hype, the visit to Omagh has played an important part in the healing process for the injured, the bereaved and their families.
Yesterday the scene shifted to Dublin. Mr Clinton had an important job to do there too. The agreement is owned by the southern part of this island as well as by the north. That has not properly been recognised.
There is greater consensus in the Republic about the direction we have taken. But it is important that its political and business classes, as well as its people, are reminded of the importance of the journey we have embarked on together.
The president underlined that when he spoke of his "personal passion" for peace.
It was unfortunate (if predictable) that some reporters exploited a photocall to question the president on Monica Lewinsky. It had no bearing on the purpose of his visit, or its importance.
Some in the United States are obsessed by this matter - over which the president has already made his apologies.
Their motivation may be to destroy Mr Clinton, but rather than diminishing him in the eyes of the world, they may end up diminishing the United States.
He has his faults. But Mr Clinton has been a better president than many - where it counts, on the economic stage at home and the international stage abroad.
THIS has been an important week for Ireland and another memorable one for President Bill Clinton.
His second visit as president was always going to be of a different order from the first. And while November 1995 will be remembered for its sense of joy and jubilation, this visit has had its moments too.
Perhaps the biggest achievement was the president and first lady's ability to tap into the emotions at a human level.
Whatever the worries about hype, the visit to Omagh has played an important part in the healing process for the injured, the bereaved and their families.
Yesterday the scene shifted to Dublin. Mr Clinton had an important job to do there too. The agreement is owned by the southern part of this island as well as by the north. That has not properly been recognised.
There is greater consensus in the Republic about the direction we have taken. But it is important that its political and business classes, as well as its people, are reminded of the importance of the journey we have embarked on together.
The president underlined that when he spoke of his "personal passion" for peace.
It was unfortunate (if predictable) that some reporters exploited a photocall to question the president on Monica Lewinsky. It had no bearing on the purpose of his visit, or its importance.
Some in the United States are obsessed by this matter - over which the president has already made his apologies.
Their motivation may be to destroy Mr Clinton, but rather than diminishing him in the eyes of the world, they may end up diminishing the United States.
He has his faults. But Mr Clinton has been a better president than many - where it counts, on the economic stage at home and the international stage abroad.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0384
Published Date: 05-Sep-98
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