NI can help solve conflicts, says Bush

Northern Ireland can be a model to help solve other conflicts, President Bush said today.

Speaking after the conclusion of the EU-US summit in Dromoland Castle in Clare, Ireland, the US President said: “Great Britain and Ireland are ready to advance the process this September and we stand ready to help.

“Because, when this conflict is resolved, it will be an example for others that long simmering disputes can be put behind them and free and peaceful societies can emerge for the interest of the people who have been involved in the dispute.”

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met in London yesterday to agree plans for talks between all parties in Northern Ireland in the autumn.

Mr Bush said he was fully aware of the effort to restore devolved Government in the North.

“We view this issue as very important and we stand ready to help. There is a special envoy from our Government that is participating in the process and I have constantly asked the Prime Minister (Bertie Ahern) if the envoy is doing his job. The answer has always been yes,” he said.