CLINTON TO MEET BOMB RELATIVES
Clinton to meet bomb relatives
BY JOHN McCUSKER
FORMER US President Bill Clinton will this morning meet with relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing, after receiving a letter from the mother of one pf the victims.
Mr Clinton undertakes a hastily-arranged meeting with representatives of those who died in the atrocity during a short stop of at the Ulster American Folk Park early today.
The visit takes place during the ex-president 's three-day visit to Ireland.
On Tuesday night, Mr Clinton paid a return visit to Derry where he attended a dinner hosted by the city's Chamber of Commerce.
His seven-vehicle cavalcade was due to travel from the Maiden City to Enniskillen this morning where the former president will formally unveil a stained glass window at the town's Higher Bridges project.
Security for the trip will be provided by US Secret Service agents in association with members of the RUC's Close Protection Unit.
On Tuesday night, relatives of those killed in the Omagh atrocity learned they had been granted a one-hour meeting with Mr Clinton at the Folk Park.
The wish was granted after he received a letter from the mother of one of those who died in the Omagh atrocity, requesting a face-to-face meeting. Patsy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was among those who died, pleaded for a short meeting with Mr Clinton, to "boost our morale and rejuvenate us for the journey ahead."
Her letter, written last December, continued: "On the 3rd September 1998 you promised us that we would not be alone and that you were but a telephone call away. I am calling you now. We need you now more than ever."
Her husband, Michael, Chairman of the Omagh Self Help Group which represents a number of the bereaved families, said it, was very symbolic that the former president had opted to re-establish his links with the town.
He said: "During his time as president, Mr Clinton travelled to Omagh in the very early stages in the aftermath of the bombing and offered his support to the people of the town. His visit then did help the people at what was a very critical time.
"As an ex-president we understand he hasn't much political clout, but we will be asking him to use his influence to press for legislature to further the cause of peace here." Mr Clinton last visited the town on September 3rd, 1998, three weeks after the bombing atrocity which claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children and unborn twins.
On that occasion he was accompanied by his wife Hilary and British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.
During the visit he met with the bereaved and injured and unveiled a memorial plaque at the site of the explosion itself.
During a gala dinner in the Everglades Hotel in Derry on Tuesday night, SDLP candidate Brid Rodgers raised the issue of jobs and investment in West Tyrone with the former president.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Rodgers said the Clinton administration had made an enormous contribution to the Irish peace process and people here were indebted to his personal efforts.
"Attracting inward investment, especially from America, is one of my top priorities in West Tyrone and I will be calling upon Mr Clinton to use whatever influence he can to bring more inward investment and jobs to the constituency," she added.
BY JOHN McCUSKER
FORMER US President Bill Clinton will this morning meet with relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing, after receiving a letter from the mother of one pf the victims.
Mr Clinton undertakes a hastily-arranged meeting with representatives of those who died in the atrocity during a short stop of at the Ulster American Folk Park early today.
The visit takes place during the ex-president 's three-day visit to Ireland.
On Tuesday night, Mr Clinton paid a return visit to Derry where he attended a dinner hosted by the city's Chamber of Commerce.
His seven-vehicle cavalcade was due to travel from the Maiden City to Enniskillen this morning where the former president will formally unveil a stained glass window at the town's Higher Bridges project.
Security for the trip will be provided by US Secret Service agents in association with members of the RUC's Close Protection Unit.
On Tuesday night, relatives of those killed in the Omagh atrocity learned they had been granted a one-hour meeting with Mr Clinton at the Folk Park.
The wish was granted after he received a letter from the mother of one of those who died in the Omagh atrocity, requesting a face-to-face meeting. Patsy Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was among those who died, pleaded for a short meeting with Mr Clinton, to "boost our morale and rejuvenate us for the journey ahead."
Her letter, written last December, continued: "On the 3rd September 1998 you promised us that we would not be alone and that you were but a telephone call away. I am calling you now. We need you now more than ever."
Her husband, Michael, Chairman of the Omagh Self Help Group which represents a number of the bereaved families, said it, was very symbolic that the former president had opted to re-establish his links with the town.
He said: "During his time as president, Mr Clinton travelled to Omagh in the very early stages in the aftermath of the bombing and offered his support to the people of the town. His visit then did help the people at what was a very critical time.
"As an ex-president we understand he hasn't much political clout, but we will be asking him to use his influence to press for legislature to further the cause of peace here." Mr Clinton last visited the town on September 3rd, 1998, three weeks after the bombing atrocity which claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children and unborn twins.
On that occasion he was accompanied by his wife Hilary and British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.
During the visit he met with the bereaved and injured and unveiled a memorial plaque at the site of the explosion itself.
During a gala dinner in the Everglades Hotel in Derry on Tuesday night, SDLP candidate Brid Rodgers raised the issue of jobs and investment in West Tyrone with the former president.
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Rodgers said the Clinton administration had made an enormous contribution to the Irish peace process and people here were indebted to his personal efforts.
"Attracting inward investment, especially from America, is one of my top priorities in West Tyrone and I will be calling upon Mr Clinton to use whatever influence he can to bring more inward investment and jobs to the constituency," she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0769
Published Date: 24-May-01
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