Clintons urge politicians towards devolution

FORMER US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary met Northern Ireland politicians yesterday in Belfast, urging them to work for lasting devolution at talks next month.

Mrs Clinton, the senator for New York, also took part in a conference of women’s leaders in Belfast before delivering a lecture at the University of Ulster’s Magee College in Derry.

Mr Clinton brought Belfast city centre to a standstill yesterday at a book signing of his autobiography, My Life.

The Clintons also visited the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen, which was officially opened by the former President in June 2002.

The centre houses a 150-seat auditorium, two seminar rooms, an art gallery, cafe and a 70-bed youth hostel.

Among those who attended were Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew and Catholic priest turned broadcaster, Fr Brian Darcy.

“I am still hoping we can get the Clintons to his ancestors’ home in Roslea [in Fermanagh].” Ms Gildernew said.

“Their visit has been good for this town, good for the county and good for the peace process,” she said.

Fr Darcy stressed the symbolism of the site of the Clinton Centre, noting it had previously housed a Catholic school and was also the location of the IRA Poppy Day bomb.

“I went to school as a little boy to St Michael’s which was on that site and unfortunately it was regarded as a symbol of hate.

“It is good that now it is a symbol of reconciliation. It shows we have come a long way and is a good example to the rest of the world.”

Fr Darcy was in no doubt that the Fermanagh Gaelic football team’s All-Ireland campaign was still of greater significance than the Clinton visit.

“No. The visit doesn’t quite scale the heights of the Fermanagh team,” said Fr Darcy.

“It doesn’t compare, not yet, to Fermanagh possibly making an All-Ireland final but even that is an indication of just how far this county has come” he said.