07/04/2003

Peace process on agenda as Bush arrives

US President George Bush is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland later this evening to take part in talks on the future of the Iraq conflict and the local peace process.

While the summit will mainly focus on developments in the Middle East, both leaders will devote some of their time to developments in the current political process here.

They will be joined by Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down for some of the discussions to take place tomorrow. It is understood that President Bush is to be accompanied by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Richard Haass, the special American envoy on Northern Ireland.

The meeting precedes an announcement later in the week from Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, on the recently held talks on the future of the Northern Ireland peace process. Mr Murphy has already gone as far as suggesting that the US President's visit could help persuade the IRA to disarm.

Local pro-agreement parties are also expected to join President Bush to discuss recent developments in the process, while anti-agreement party the DUP have been offered a meeting with Richard Haass.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 July 2001
BUSH CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
US President George W Bush has called on the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons in his most demonstrative statement regarding the Northern Ireland peace process to date. Mr Bush’s first public comments are widely regarded to increase pressure on the IRA and loyalists to break the deadlock in the political process.
19 December 2001
President Bush praises peace process
United States President George Bush has praised the peace process, hailing it and the people of Northern Ireland as a "beacon of hope" for divided societies across the world. US Ambassador to the UK, William Farish, delivered the message at a gala celebration of Christmas peace at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
11 December 2023
PSNI Welcomes Publication Of Review Report
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has welcomed the publication of the Independent End to End Process Review Report.
13 February 2004
Software industry 'complacent' says university
Northern Ireland’s software industry needs to shake off complacency and increase its entrepreneurial activity if it is to compete successfully in the global economy, according to a report published by University of Ulster researchers today.
29 August 2014
Former US Senator In Belfast To Meet Stormont Parties
Representatives of the Stormont Executive parties are to meet today with former US Senator Gary Hart. Mr Hart is in Northern Ireland on a fact-finding mission, understood to be undertaken on behalf of US Secretary of State John Kerry. Hart arrived in Belfast from Dublin where he met party leaders, and before that he was in London.