CLINTON VISIT NOW IN DOUBT
Clinton visit now in doubt
By JOHN McCUSKER
HOPES of a pre-Christmas Presidential visit to Omagh appear to be fading as the deadline for next week's planned trip to Ireland approaches.
It was initially anticipated that the White House-would take up an official invitation issued by Council Chairman Liam McQuaid to include the town on his itinerary.
But as we went to press yesterday evening, it looked increasingly unlikely that Bill Clinton would be returning to the town he last visited just weeks after the August 1998 atrocity.
Despite extensive behind the scenes efforts to attract the President to Omagh, next week's trip appears to be centred between Belfast and Dublin. He is also expected to visit the border town of Dundalk during his stop over which lasts from Tuesday until Thursday.
Yesterday afternoon, Chairman Liam McQuaid was still hoping against hope that Mr Clinton could pay a return visit to the area.
"A visit at this time would be tremendously uplifting for the town and provide a morale boost for the entire area at the present time.
"I know the people of the area, from both sides of the community, would be delighted to welcome him back," he added.
By JOHN McCUSKER
HOPES of a pre-Christmas Presidential visit to Omagh appear to be fading as the deadline for next week's planned trip to Ireland approaches.
It was initially anticipated that the White House-would take up an official invitation issued by Council Chairman Liam McQuaid to include the town on his itinerary.
But as we went to press yesterday evening, it looked increasingly unlikely that Bill Clinton would be returning to the town he last visited just weeks after the August 1998 atrocity.
Despite extensive behind the scenes efforts to attract the President to Omagh, next week's trip appears to be centred between Belfast and Dublin. He is also expected to visit the border town of Dundalk during his stop over which lasts from Tuesday until Thursday.
Yesterday afternoon, Chairman Liam McQuaid was still hoping against hope that Mr Clinton could pay a return visit to the area.
"A visit at this time would be tremendously uplifting for the town and provide a morale boost for the entire area at the present time.
"I know the people of the area, from both sides of the community, would be delighted to welcome him back," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1523
Published Date: 07-Dec-00
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