IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE HEROES OF OMAGH
Irish Foreign Minister pays tribute to the heros of Omagh
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
There is no going back on the peace process says Andrews
Foreign Affairs Minister, David Andrews, was in Omagh on Thursday last as part of a series of 'getting to know you' visits.
Having met with some of the families bereaved in the August 15th atrocity, including people from Buncrana, he visited the site
of the blast and paid tribute to the 'heroism' of the Omagh people. He expressed admiration for the way in which the local community had gone about its own reconstruction in a spirit of reconciliation.
Before leaving for Derry, for meetings with Martin McGuinness and John Hume, and an historic encounter with a senior representative of the Apprentice Boys, Mr Andrews called at the Tyrone County Hospital and the Offices of Omagh District Council.
Speaking to the Herald , Mr Andrews agreed that the peace process was entering a critical phase, especially as the decommissioning issue remained unresolved.
"The peace process has reached a very important point. So much has been achieved and there is no going back. There can't be any going back. We are going to press on, decommissioning is the key problem at this time."
PROBLEMS
Asked if the present problems can be overcome he replied; "We have to continue to talk... officials, on a minute to minute basis are continuing to meet with the parties and we will have to push on.
The Foreign Minister was reluctant to talk about any of the behind the scenes initiatives countenanced to address the impasse and commented; "It is a very sensitive time."
He did, however, say that there was cause for hope; "So much has been done in the peace process that we cannot let it unravel, so it's forward and ever upward."
Several local politicians, businessmen and community representatives met with the Minister in the Council Chamber as he surveyed information on cross-border initiatives.
Sinn Fein were represented at the gathering with two Assemblymen, Barry McElduff and Pat Doherty, and Chairman of the Council, Sean Clark. The SDLP's West-Tyrone Assemblyman Joe Byrne, was in attendance and the UUP Vice-Chairman of the Council, Allan Rainey, was also present.
The Community group Focus was represented by Barry Benson and, Patricia Dunne represented Omagh District Partnership. Michael Gaines of the Chamber of Commerce and Patrick Bogues of Omagh Traders Association also met with Mr Andrews.
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN
There is no going back on the peace process says Andrews
Foreign Affairs Minister, David Andrews, was in Omagh on Thursday last as part of a series of 'getting to know you' visits.
Having met with some of the families bereaved in the August 15th atrocity, including people from Buncrana, he visited the site
of the blast and paid tribute to the 'heroism' of the Omagh people. He expressed admiration for the way in which the local community had gone about its own reconstruction in a spirit of reconciliation.
Before leaving for Derry, for meetings with Martin McGuinness and John Hume, and an historic encounter with a senior representative of the Apprentice Boys, Mr Andrews called at the Tyrone County Hospital and the Offices of Omagh District Council.
Speaking to the Herald , Mr Andrews agreed that the peace process was entering a critical phase, especially as the decommissioning issue remained unresolved.
"The peace process has reached a very important point. So much has been achieved and there is no going back. There can't be any going back. We are going to press on, decommissioning is the key problem at this time."
PROBLEMS
Asked if the present problems can be overcome he replied; "We have to continue to talk... officials, on a minute to minute basis are continuing to meet with the parties and we will have to push on.
The Foreign Minister was reluctant to talk about any of the behind the scenes initiatives countenanced to address the impasse and commented; "It is a very sensitive time."
He did, however, say that there was cause for hope; "So much has been done in the peace process that we cannot let it unravel, so it's forward and ever upward."
Several local politicians, businessmen and community representatives met with the Minister in the Council Chamber as he surveyed information on cross-border initiatives.
Sinn Fein were represented at the gathering with two Assemblymen, Barry McElduff and Pat Doherty, and Chairman of the Council, Sean Clark. The SDLP's West-Tyrone Assemblyman Joe Byrne, was in attendance and the UUP Vice-Chairman of the Council, Allan Rainey, was also present.
The Community group Focus was represented by Barry Benson and, Patricia Dunne represented Omagh District Partnership. Michael Gaines of the Chamber of Commerce and Patrick Bogues of Omagh Traders Association also met with Mr Andrews.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1227
Published Date: 04-Mar-99
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