No extraordinary security measures for Bush visit

THE security cordon surrounding US President George W Bush’s visit to Ireland at the end of next week will not be markedly different to previous visits by American presidents.

The US Ambassador to Ireland, James C Kenny, yesterday said the security arrangements would be normal ones for a US president visiting Ireland.

Some 650 officials, including special agents, will accompany Mr Bush when he arrives at Dromoland Castle on Friday week.

“Security is not an issue,” said Ambassador Kenny. “It will be just like when (the Irish) President came to America for Ronald Reagan’s funeral. It’s a basic, simple rule. We do not want to see somebody hurt when they are in our country.”

Ambassador Kenny was briefing reporters ahead of the two-day EU-US summit at the Co Clare Castle.

Describing it as a big event for the US, for Ireland and the EU, he praised the Irish presidency for the work it has done during its six-month term in improving the transatlantic relationship and getting it back to where it was pre-September 11.

He said he believed some outstanding differences remained but that, as far as normalising relations went, “we are there”. In particular he stressed the fact that the UN Security Council had recently voted unanimously to endorse Resolution 1546 on the future of Iraq. Mr Kenny outlined the main issues that would be discussed during the summit. They comprise Iraq; Afghanistan; counter-terrorism; non-proliferation; HIV/Aids; the greater Middle East political situation; in addition to EU-US trade and the economy.

Turning to the US view on Ireland, Mr Kenny said: “Ireland is doing a fantastic job. It’s a good partner and a good friend. They understand us.

“Do we see eye-to-eye on every issue? No we do not. Does America have the answer to every issue? No, we do not.”

He added a little later: “Ireland is a neutral country, but Ireland is a friend.”

When asked if the US viewed the use of Shannon by US military personnel during the war in Iraq as a contribution to the American war effort, Ambassador Kenny replied: “Not really.”

He said Shannon had been used in that capacity for many decades.

Asked about widespread opposition in Ireland and Europe to US military action in Iraq, Mr Kenny replied: “Nobody likes war. We did not particularly ask for this war. We ended up inheriting it. We have to deal with it and we at the end of the engagement in Iraq want to give the 25 million people a chance for democracy.”