TELL YOUR BUSINESS LEADERS ABOUT US CHAMBER PLEA TO PRESIDENT CLINTON
Tell your business leaders about us, chamber plea to President Clinton
Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on US President Bill Clinton to encourage American businesses to invest in the town.
In a letter delivered to the President during his visit on Thursday last the Chamber president Mr Michael Gaine, spoke of Omagh's determination to rebuild itself following the bombing three weeks earlier.
Welcoming Mr. Clinton to Omagh, Mr. Gaine said the Chamber recognised the kinship and understood the real compassion which had brought him to the town to share in its grief.
He said the Chamber also acknowledged Mr Clinton's honest endeavours in promoting a fair and just political solution to the long-standing problems in Northern Ireland."
"In recent weeks you have lost some of your citizens through hatred and terrorism. We feel for the relatives of your dead and ask that you convey the sympathy of our community to similar communities throughout the United States, who like us, are wondering why," Mr Gaine said.
He went on "We have tried to return to our places of business, but our grief remains boundless. We have lost relatives and friends, as well as our fellow workers."
"Our minds are not on commerce and trade, but on those we have lost, the injured and those who may not work again. But we cannot stand still.
Mr Gaine said that, as the town took the first steps towards rebuilding itself and its economy, the community was comforted by the good wishes of tens of thousands of Americans, and well-wishers from around the world.
"We know their thoughts are with us as we begin our long journey of renewal," he said.
Good faith
And he added, "We are a people of good faith and this is a good country, but as you have come to share our grief we are not ashamed to ask for your help.
"Ireland has always welcomed American investment and US companies, with the faith to invest in Northern Ireland and its people, have prospered."
Mr Gaine pointed out that the IDB, accompanied by members of the new Assembly, was going to America next month to inform business leaders of the attractions of Northern Ireland as a European investment location.
"As Omagh has a significant unemployment problem, we request that you will tell your business leaders about us so that they might give serious consideration to our town as a location in which to site a manufacturing plant," he said.
"You can tell them of our determination to rebuild our economic base, about the good community relations which exist and the abundance of skilled people available. This would be of great practical and long-term benefit to us."
Mr. Gaine went on: "We understand the turmoil of world politics and global economics which demand your attention and your time. In that knowledge, we are the more comforted that you have remembered a small town and its problems.
Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on US President Bill Clinton to encourage American businesses to invest in the town.
In a letter delivered to the President during his visit on Thursday last the Chamber president Mr Michael Gaine, spoke of Omagh's determination to rebuild itself following the bombing three weeks earlier.
Welcoming Mr. Clinton to Omagh, Mr. Gaine said the Chamber recognised the kinship and understood the real compassion which had brought him to the town to share in its grief.
He said the Chamber also acknowledged Mr Clinton's honest endeavours in promoting a fair and just political solution to the long-standing problems in Northern Ireland."
"In recent weeks you have lost some of your citizens through hatred and terrorism. We feel for the relatives of your dead and ask that you convey the sympathy of our community to similar communities throughout the United States, who like us, are wondering why," Mr Gaine said.
He went on "We have tried to return to our places of business, but our grief remains boundless. We have lost relatives and friends, as well as our fellow workers."
"Our minds are not on commerce and trade, but on those we have lost, the injured and those who may not work again. But we cannot stand still.
Mr Gaine said that, as the town took the first steps towards rebuilding itself and its economy, the community was comforted by the good wishes of tens of thousands of Americans, and well-wishers from around the world.
"We know their thoughts are with us as we begin our long journey of renewal," he said.
Good faith
And he added, "We are a people of good faith and this is a good country, but as you have come to share our grief we are not ashamed to ask for your help.
"Ireland has always welcomed American investment and US companies, with the faith to invest in Northern Ireland and its people, have prospered."
Mr Gaine pointed out that the IDB, accompanied by members of the new Assembly, was going to America next month to inform business leaders of the attractions of Northern Ireland as a European investment location.
"As Omagh has a significant unemployment problem, we request that you will tell your business leaders about us so that they might give serious consideration to our town as a location in which to site a manufacturing plant," he said.
"You can tell them of our determination to rebuild our economic base, about the good community relations which exist and the abundance of skilled people available. This would be of great practical and long-term benefit to us."
Mr. Gaine went on: "We understand the turmoil of world politics and global economics which demand your attention and your time. In that knowledge, we are the more comforted that you have remembered a small town and its problems.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1189
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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