13/03/2003
US pledges 'help' to unlocking peace process impasse
US President George Bush has pledged that America "will help where we can" in finding a resolution to the current impasse over Northern Ireland's devolved assembly.
At a ceremony to welcome Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the US for upcoming St Patrick's Day celebrations, Mr Bush presented the Irish premier with a bowl of shamrocks and reaffirmed the close relations between the two countries which "reach back centuries".
On Northern Ireland, Mr Bush said: "Recent years have seen historic progress thanks to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Ahern and Blair and many other people who long for peace. Now, all parties can, and must, build on this progress, so that the people of Northern Ireland can replace old resentments with new cooperation and new hope.
"America has long supported this vital work, and today, that support endures and continues. We will help where we can."
Mr Ahern, in turn, called for "big steps" to be made by the main players to secure agreement. He also paid tribute to the pro-agreement parties and community groups in Northern Ireland for working "so hard for peace".
He said: "We particularly appreciate at this time the unstinting support which the US has consistently offered for the efforts to achieve peace in Ireland.
"As you know, Mr President, in recent months Prime Minister Blair and I have been seeking, with the pro-agreement parties, to resolve outstanding issues which will allow us to achieve the full and effective implementation of the agreement.
"I believe we have made substantial progress. The two governments recently outlined proposals to the parties which, we sincerely believe, provide the roadmap for the way forward. Big steps are being called for."
(GMcG)
At a ceremony to welcome Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the US for upcoming St Patrick's Day celebrations, Mr Bush presented the Irish premier with a bowl of shamrocks and reaffirmed the close relations between the two countries which "reach back centuries".
On Northern Ireland, Mr Bush said: "Recent years have seen historic progress thanks to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Ahern and Blair and many other people who long for peace. Now, all parties can, and must, build on this progress, so that the people of Northern Ireland can replace old resentments with new cooperation and new hope.
"America has long supported this vital work, and today, that support endures and continues. We will help where we can."
Mr Ahern, in turn, called for "big steps" to be made by the main players to secure agreement. He also paid tribute to the pro-agreement parties and community groups in Northern Ireland for working "so hard for peace".
He said: "We particularly appreciate at this time the unstinting support which the US has consistently offered for the efforts to achieve peace in Ireland.
"As you know, Mr President, in recent months Prime Minister Blair and I have been seeking, with the pro-agreement parties, to resolve outstanding issues which will allow us to achieve the full and effective implementation of the agreement.
"I believe we have made substantial progress. The two governments recently outlined proposals to the parties which, we sincerely believe, provide the roadmap for the way forward. Big steps are being called for."
(GMcG)
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12 March 2004
Urgency creeps into Northern Ireland peace process
A renewed sense of urgency evident on Thursday night as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair met in Dublin to discuss the Northern Ireland peace process. The two premiers pledged to take personal charge of a bid to break the deadlock following the return of the politicians from St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington next week.
Urgency creeps into Northern Ireland peace process
A renewed sense of urgency evident on Thursday night as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair met in Dublin to discuss the Northern Ireland peace process. The two premiers pledged to take personal charge of a bid to break the deadlock following the return of the politicians from St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington next week.
18 February 2002
Blair and Ahern discuss Northern Ireland peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London to discuss political progress in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime discussion at Downing Street on Monday February 18 focussed on issues such as demilitarisation, decommissioning and the recent work of the Policing Board.
Blair and Ahern discuss Northern Ireland peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London to discuss political progress in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime discussion at Downing Street on Monday February 18 focussed on issues such as demilitarisation, decommissioning and the recent work of the Policing Board.
27 March 2003
Nobel peace prize winner arrested in Washington
Northern Ireland peace prize winner Mairead Corrigan-Maguire has been arrested during an anti-war protest in Washington. Mrs Maguire, fellow Nobel laureate Jody Williams and two American bishops, were among 60 people demonstrating outside the White House last night.
Nobel peace prize winner arrested in Washington
Northern Ireland peace prize winner Mairead Corrigan-Maguire has been arrested during an anti-war protest in Washington. Mrs Maguire, fellow Nobel laureate Jody Williams and two American bishops, were among 60 people demonstrating outside the White House last night.
18 July 2001
BUSH CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
US President George W Bush has called on the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons in his most demonstrative statement regarding the Northern Ireland peace process to date. Mr Bush’s first public comments are widely regarded to increase pressure on the IRA and loyalists to break the deadlock in the political process.
BUSH CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
US President George W Bush has called on the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons in his most demonstrative statement regarding the Northern Ireland peace process to date. Mr Bush’s first public comments are widely regarded to increase pressure on the IRA and loyalists to break the deadlock in the political process.
03 July 2001
PREMIERS SCHEDULE TALKS ON NEXT STEP
BRITISH prime minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have scheduled a meeting to discuss the next step in the stalled Northern Ireland peace process. It has been confirmed that Mr Blair and Mr Ahern will meet in Downing Street on Wednesday July 4 in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
PREMIERS SCHEDULE TALKS ON NEXT STEP
BRITISH prime minister Tony Blair and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have scheduled a meeting to discuss the next step in the stalled Northern Ireland peace process. It has been confirmed that Mr Blair and Mr Ahern will meet in Downing Street on Wednesday July 4 in an attempt to prevent the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.