OMAGH IN SECURITY CLAMP AS CLINTON COMES TO TOWN
Omagh in security clamp as Clinton comes to town
Total shutdown as US President flies in to share in the grief
OMAGH is set to come to a standstill today (Thursday), as it plays host to the United States President, Bill Clinton, amid the biggest security operation ever witnessed in the town's history.
Since the announcement last week that the President would be visiting Omagh in the aftermath of the August 15 bombing, US Secret Service agents moved into the town in force to carry out security checks, in a bid to avert any possible threat to the President's safety.
The intense and painstaking operation has included rooftop searches, the examination of manholes, all of which have been numbered and marked with paint, the searching of bins and telephone kiosks, and the examination and taping over of post boxes.
Schools in the town have closed for the day, and no businesses will be open, as the nearest thing to a 'ring of steel' surrounds the town. Bus services have also been severely disrupted.
While the visit has been hailed by many as a measure of support for those who have been bereaved and injured, some business people in the town have expressed concern at the complete shutdown.
However, according to Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders' Association, President's visit was being viewed as an "investment in the future of of the town ".
"We feel that closing is the right thing to do. If the President comes and opens up his purse strings to us, and attracts business and tourism to the town, this is what we want," he said.
Mr. Allen went on: "We also see this as showing support to the victims of the bomb. While we feel that returning to normality is part of the healing process, we have no intention of snubbing the President, the Americans, or the victims."
"We look upon this as support in of the town's future," he added.
President Clinton and the First Lady, Hillary, along with Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, are expected to touch down by helicopter at Lisanelly Army Camp at around 4pm.
From there, they, and the hundreds-strong entourage, will make their way to Omagh Leisure Centre, where the President will meet relatives of those who were killed in the bombing, and those who were injured.
Bomb scene
The cavalcade, believed to be made up of around 30 vehicles, will then make its way to the bomb scene, where the President and the First Lady will unveil a commemorative plaque.
It is believed he will speak to members of the emergency services, who responded to the atrocity, on his way up the town, as well as to invited members of the public.
It is understood the district council chief executive. Mr. John McKinney, and the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke, and Mr. Allan Rainey, will also meet the American Contingent.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place outside Watterson's drapery shop, in memory of the 28 people, and two unborn children, who lost their lives in the bombing almost three weeks ago.
During the visit, which is expected to last up to two hours, the town will be sealed off from Campsie, right up to the middle of the Courthouse hill.
Among the delegation accompanying accompanying Mr. Clinton will be Jean Kennedy-Smith. US Ambassador to Dublin, and Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, representative of special political affairs to the United Nations.
The President and the First Lady were due to fly into Northern Ireland at 8.30 this morning, with his expected first port of call being a private meeting with party leaders in Stormont, followed by a meeting with the members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
It is understood Mr. Clinton, who condemned the Omagh bombing immediately after it was carried out, is expected to make a keynote speech this morning at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on the need to continue on the path of peace.
Omagh had not been on the President's itinerary for his one-day visit to Northern Ireland, but on Wednesday evening last, the White House announced he would be coming to the town to express his sympathy to the community.
It has also been pointed out that Mr. Clinton views the visit as a way of continuing to support the peace process, and making it clear to those who supported violence that they would not succeed.
Following his visit to Omagh the President and First Lady will go to Armagh, where they will join a 'Gathering for Peace' event in the Mall, which will be open to the public.
After Armagh, the Clintons will move south of the border to continue their hectic round of engagements.
Meanwhile, Omagh Ulsterbus manager, Mr. Paddy McGowan, said local bus services may resume late in the evening, and phone inquiries can be made to the depot during the day.
All express services to Belfast, Londonderry and Dublin will operate from the Tamlaght Road bus garage.
Total shutdown as US President flies in to share in the grief
OMAGH is set to come to a standstill today (Thursday), as it plays host to the United States President, Bill Clinton, amid the biggest security operation ever witnessed in the town's history.
Since the announcement last week that the President would be visiting Omagh in the aftermath of the August 15 bombing, US Secret Service agents moved into the town in force to carry out security checks, in a bid to avert any possible threat to the President's safety.
The intense and painstaking operation has included rooftop searches, the examination of manholes, all of which have been numbered and marked with paint, the searching of bins and telephone kiosks, and the examination and taping over of post boxes.
Schools in the town have closed for the day, and no businesses will be open, as the nearest thing to a 'ring of steel' surrounds the town. Bus services have also been severely disrupted.
While the visit has been hailed by many as a measure of support for those who have been bereaved and injured, some business people in the town have expressed concern at the complete shutdown.
However, according to Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders' Association, President's visit was being viewed as an "investment in the future of of the town ".
"We feel that closing is the right thing to do. If the President comes and opens up his purse strings to us, and attracts business and tourism to the town, this is what we want," he said.
Mr. Allen went on: "We also see this as showing support to the victims of the bomb. While we feel that returning to normality is part of the healing process, we have no intention of snubbing the President, the Americans, or the victims."
"We look upon this as support in of the town's future," he added.
President Clinton and the First Lady, Hillary, along with Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, are expected to touch down by helicopter at Lisanelly Army Camp at around 4pm.
From there, they, and the hundreds-strong entourage, will make their way to Omagh Leisure Centre, where the President will meet relatives of those who were killed in the bombing, and those who were injured.
Bomb scene
The cavalcade, believed to be made up of around 30 vehicles, will then make its way to the bomb scene, where the President and the First Lady will unveil a commemorative plaque.
It is believed he will speak to members of the emergency services, who responded to the atrocity, on his way up the town, as well as to invited members of the public.
It is understood the district council chief executive. Mr. John McKinney, and the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke, and Mr. Allan Rainey, will also meet the American Contingent.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place outside Watterson's drapery shop, in memory of the 28 people, and two unborn children, who lost their lives in the bombing almost three weeks ago.
During the visit, which is expected to last up to two hours, the town will be sealed off from Campsie, right up to the middle of the Courthouse hill.
Among the delegation accompanying accompanying Mr. Clinton will be Jean Kennedy-Smith. US Ambassador to Dublin, and Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, representative of special political affairs to the United Nations.
The President and the First Lady were due to fly into Northern Ireland at 8.30 this morning, with his expected first port of call being a private meeting with party leaders in Stormont, followed by a meeting with the members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
It is understood Mr. Clinton, who condemned the Omagh bombing immediately after it was carried out, is expected to make a keynote speech this morning at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on the need to continue on the path of peace.
Omagh had not been on the President's itinerary for his one-day visit to Northern Ireland, but on Wednesday evening last, the White House announced he would be coming to the town to express his sympathy to the community.
It has also been pointed out that Mr. Clinton views the visit as a way of continuing to support the peace process, and making it clear to those who supported violence that they would not succeed.
Following his visit to Omagh the President and First Lady will go to Armagh, where they will join a 'Gathering for Peace' event in the Mall, which will be open to the public.
After Armagh, the Clintons will move south of the border to continue their hectic round of engagements.
Meanwhile, Omagh Ulsterbus manager, Mr. Paddy McGowan, said local bus services may resume late in the evening, and phone inquiries can be made to the depot during the day.
All express services to Belfast, Londonderry and Dublin will operate from the Tamlaght Road bus garage.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0510
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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