Bush visit seen as cynical PR stunt

THERE were no ‘Yankee Go Home’ signs on display in Belfast last night, but the welcome was far from warm for US President George W Bush as he touched down for his first visit to Ireland.

Unlike his predecessor Bill Clinton, Mr Bush has shown little interest in Northern Ireland, and his surprise arrival and intervention in the peace process was largely viewed largely with cynicism.

His visit may have put Northern Ireland dead centre in the eyes of the world, but it seemed the locals deemed it more of an inconvenience than anything else.

"Anybody thinking of doing anything today should maybe not bother." This advice from BBC Radio Ulster presenter Gerry Anderson reflected the hassle the trip was causing for the citizens of Northern Ireland.

Belfast was gridlocked from early morning, as a series of bomb warnings caused security alerts at both Aldergrove and City Airports and resulted in a section of the normally busy M2 being closed.

The disruptions merely compounded the restrictions caused by the ring of steel placed around Hillsborough Castle and its environs for the war summit.

Bill Clinton's visits took months to arrange, but Mr Bush's trip has been organised in days, causing a massive security clampdown and long tailbacks for commuters. And spare a thought for the residents of Hillsborough village, who felt under siege for the day.

Not that Mr Bush is going to hear a lot from the critics during his 22 hours in the country.

Also unlike Mr Clinton, Mr Bush will not be doing much mingling with the Northern public. The large crowds on the streets protesting at this visit were kept back miles away from his base in Hillsborough.

Families of members of the Royal Irish Regiment and the Royal Air Force, currently fighting with British forces in Iraq, were on hand to greet Air Force One as it landed at Aldergrove Airport, before Mr Bush was whisked away by helicopter to Hillsborough Castle.

The 43rd President of the United States emerged from the world's most famous jumbo jet, shook a few hands and held a few babies, and then moved off.

The contradictions of the visit promoting peace in time of war left those due to meet Mr Bush in something of a quandary.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams criticised the insensitivity of holding a war summit which discusses the Northern Ireland peace process in the margins.

Although acknowledging that the meeting could be helpful, it appeared the peace process was being used as a stage or as a prop for talks between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mr Bush, Mr Adams said.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan encouraged members of his party to attend the peaceful protest against Mr Bush's visit, while still welcoming the US involvement, which he described as part of diplomacy.

"George Bush is aware of my opposition to war but I don't think he cares very much for it or about it," Mr Durcan said.

The Ulster Unionists were aware that the summit was more about Iraq than Northern Ireland, but were happy to welcome Mr Bush.

Ironically, the DUP were complaining about not being invited to meet Mr Bush, and even turned down a meeting with White House special advisor Richard Haass.

This exercise may go down well back home in the US, but the North's less naive public are not so easily convinced.