Local politicans prepare to meet US President

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has welcomed the US President's visit to Northern Ireland, but has said that he hopes the US Administration will not blur the lines between who is a terrorist and who is not.

Former First Minister Mr Trimble said: “I trust a common approach to terrorism will be taken irrespective of whether it is in the Middle East or in Northern Ireland. I would caution against any mixed messages which would only give succour to Irish republicans who have consistently failed to honour their commitments, and to Saddam who is trying to cling to his weapons of mass destruction.”

The DUP's deputy leader, Peter Robinson also echoed this view. He said: "With the Allies fighting against a terrorist dictator in Iraq, it is crucial that the same approach is adopted in Northern Ireland. Terrorism is the same the world over, whether it is responsible for atrocities in Northern Ireland or New York. To adopt one approach to Saddam and another to the IRA would demonstrate that a greater value was put on the lives of those in Iraq than the people of Northern Ireland. Whilst we support the actions in Iraq it is vital that this moral case is not compromised by actions to prop up terrorists in Northern Ireland."

Mr Robinson's party has voiced its anger at not being invited to give its views to Mr Bush. However, it has been offered a meeting with Special Envoy Haass.

Mr Robinson added: "It will be interesting to see if the President goes along with the Blair line of seeking to silence the majority voice within unionism. One way or another the voice of the majority of unionists will be heard.”

On Sunday, Mr Adams said the decision to hold what he called a "war summit" in Northern Ireland was insensitive. His party are to take part in anti-war protests at Hillsborough today from 6pm.

Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said that while his party regarded the engagement of US Administrations in the peace process as positive, they were totally opposed to the invasion of Iraq. He added: "We will be conveying our opposition to the war on Iraq directly to both the British Prime Minister and the US President.''

SDLP leader, Mark Durkan also said his party was perturbed by the summit saying he could not "disguise my personal unhappiness at this, given my own opposition to this war and my concern for the integrity of our own peace process".

(MB)