IRELAND IS AT NEW BEGINNING SAYS EIRE CHIEF
Ireland is at a new beginning says Eire chief
IRELAND has at last "crossed the Rubicon" and is making a new beginning, Bertie Ahern said yesterday.
Mr Ahern told President Clinton and an audience of US and Eire business leaders of his hopes that the dark days of terrorist atrocities were now firmly in the past.
"You know from your own deep commitment to, and involvement in, Irish affairs, of the persistent efforts, often against the odds, to build a new Ireland in this generation founded on respect for difference," Mr Ahern told the President. "A new Ireland that cherishes difference. A new Ireland that is at peace with itself, in the conduct of all its affairs -political, economic and social.
"I believe that at last we as a people can now truthfully say that we have crossed the Rubicon, for a brand new beginning as we approach the next millennium.
"The United States of America has travelled with us on the many twists of that journey.
Your support for our efforts to achieve political agreement, against the backdrop of peace and justice, holds a special place in the hearts of Irish people north and south. "It is our prayer, just as it is yours, that the dark heartbreaking days of Shankill, Greysteel, Omagh and all that sad litany of place names, where life and hope were wounded and killed, are gone forever."
Mr Ahern said he looked forward to the further development of strong links between Ireland and the US.
He was speaking during the President's visit to the Dublin headquarters of Gateway, a leading computer manufacturer. Mr Clinton and Mr Ahern used new groundbreaking "smart card" technology to sign a joint US-Eire communique on developing electronic commerce. It was the first time an international agreement has been signed using the electronic device which recognises an individual's signature.
IRELAND has at last "crossed the Rubicon" and is making a new beginning, Bertie Ahern said yesterday.
Mr Ahern told President Clinton and an audience of US and Eire business leaders of his hopes that the dark days of terrorist atrocities were now firmly in the past.
"You know from your own deep commitment to, and involvement in, Irish affairs, of the persistent efforts, often against the odds, to build a new Ireland in this generation founded on respect for difference," Mr Ahern told the President. "A new Ireland that cherishes difference. A new Ireland that is at peace with itself, in the conduct of all its affairs -political, economic and social.
"I believe that at last we as a people can now truthfully say that we have crossed the Rubicon, for a brand new beginning as we approach the next millennium.
"The United States of America has travelled with us on the many twists of that journey.
Your support for our efforts to achieve political agreement, against the backdrop of peace and justice, holds a special place in the hearts of Irish people north and south. "It is our prayer, just as it is yours, that the dark heartbreaking days of Shankill, Greysteel, Omagh and all that sad litany of place names, where life and hope were wounded and killed, are gone forever."
Mr Ahern said he looked forward to the further development of strong links between Ireland and the US.
He was speaking during the President's visit to the Dublin headquarters of Gateway, a leading computer manufacturer. Mr Clinton and Mr Ahern used new groundbreaking "smart card" technology to sign a joint US-Eire communique on developing electronic commerce. It was the first time an international agreement has been signed using the electronic device which recognises an individual's signature.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/283
Published Date: 05-Sep-98
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