US envoy to north likely

BARACK OBAMA would consider whether a special US envoy to the north was still necessary if elected president, a statement from the Democratic candidate said yesterday.

Ten years after the Good Friday peace accord that enshrined political power- sharing in the province, the Illinois senator would review whether an envoy or senior administration official would be most effective.

As Democrats gathered in Denver, Colorado, for their national convention, Mr Obama said the crisis in the north had passed and local people were in charge of their own destiny.