COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRMAN STRUCK BY HUMANITY OF VISITORS
Council vice-chairman struck by 'humanity' of visitors
THE chairman and vice-chairman of Omagh, District Council, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey, had a private meeting with President Clinton before he met the victims of the Omagh bombing.
The two councillors also met the First Lady, and Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie. The President spent about five minutes with us and expressed his sympathy about the bombing," Mr Clarke said.
While he was clearly tired, he seemed very genuine and sincere, I told him I wished he had come to Omagh in better circumstances, and he agreed with me."
Mr. Clarke said he believed the President had made the right decision in coming to Omagh.
"I cannot speak for all the relatives, but those I have spoken to said they were please he came," he said.
He added that he hoped some sort of US assistance to the town would be forthcoming from the visit.
Mr. Rainey said he was struck by the 'humanity' of the visitors, in particular First Lady Hillary and Mrs. Blair.
"My daughter-in-law, Thelma, came with me as my wife was unable to, and the two women spent some time chatting to her about our own family problems," he said.
Sincerity
"I knew, by their obvious sincerity and interest in my own family that they would relate well to the relatives, and that would be of benefit to the bereaved and injured. They were very down-to-earth.
Mr. Rainey said the Prime Minster asked him how the town was progressing since his earlier visit, and how people were coping.
"He assured us that he was keeping his finger on the pulse, and the problems we were encountering were very much to the fore in the everyday happenings of Westminster," he said.
"He said he thanked the President for finding the time in his busy schedule to come to Omagh, especially under such difficult circumstances.
"He was sincerely concerned about what had happened, and was very well briefed on the matter. He was fully aware of the extent of the atrocity, and the great strain we were all under," Mr. Rainey said.
He went on to say that he extended an invitation to Mr. Clinton to return to Omagh, once it was back on its feet and was moving to the future.
"I also emphasized the importance and the need for funding and assistance for the town," he said.
THE chairman and vice-chairman of Omagh, District Council, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey, had a private meeting with President Clinton before he met the victims of the Omagh bombing.
The two councillors also met the First Lady, and Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie. The President spent about five minutes with us and expressed his sympathy about the bombing," Mr Clarke said.
While he was clearly tired, he seemed very genuine and sincere, I told him I wished he had come to Omagh in better circumstances, and he agreed with me."
Mr. Clarke said he believed the President had made the right decision in coming to Omagh.
"I cannot speak for all the relatives, but those I have spoken to said they were please he came," he said.
He added that he hoped some sort of US assistance to the town would be forthcoming from the visit.
Mr. Rainey said he was struck by the 'humanity' of the visitors, in particular First Lady Hillary and Mrs. Blair.
"My daughter-in-law, Thelma, came with me as my wife was unable to, and the two women spent some time chatting to her about our own family problems," he said.
Sincerity
"I knew, by their obvious sincerity and interest in my own family that they would relate well to the relatives, and that would be of benefit to the bereaved and injured. They were very down-to-earth.
Mr. Rainey said the Prime Minster asked him how the town was progressing since his earlier visit, and how people were coping.
"He assured us that he was keeping his finger on the pulse, and the problems we were encountering were very much to the fore in the everyday happenings of Westminster," he said.
"He said he thanked the President for finding the time in his busy schedule to come to Omagh, especially under such difficult circumstances.
"He was sincerely concerned about what had happened, and was very well briefed on the matter. He was fully aware of the extent of the atrocity, and the great strain we were all under," Mr. Rainey said.
He went on to say that he extended an invitation to Mr. Clinton to return to Omagh, once it was back on its feet and was moving to the future.
"I also emphasized the importance and the need for funding and assistance for the town," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1190
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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