Taoiseach and Blair to receive peace award in US

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will receive a peace award in New York this week, along with British prime minister Tony Blair, in recognition of their joint efforts during the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Ahern, who departs this morning for a four-day visit to the USA, will also officially address the United Nations General Assembly following an invitation to do so by UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

It is understood that, during his speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Mr Ahern will reiterate the importance of the UN’s role in international affairs and outline Ireland’s approach to the numerous international policy challenges facing the world at present. Mr Ahern stated “I am deeply honoured to have been invited by Secretary General Kofi Annan to address this year’s General Assembly of the UN. I am convinced that the primacy of the UN must remain paramount.”

Later today the Taoiseach will meet Senator Hillary Clinton, who along with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, has a keen interest in Irish matters and has been a regular visitor.

However, the central thrust of this week’s official visit will focus on Irish/American business interests and will feature a visit to the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange tomorrow.

On Wednesday the Taoiseach will receive the Thomas J Dodd award at the University of Connecticut along with Tony Blair in honour of their achievements in events leading up to the Good Friday Agreement.

Also during the visit Mr Ahern will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Mexico Mr Vincente Fox to discuss arrangements for the EU-LAC (European Union-Latin American/Caribbean) summit meeting to be hosted by Ireland and Mexico in May 2004 in Mexico City.