PRESIDENT Clinton has strongly, condemned the shooting of the British soldier and appealed to loyalists not to be drawn into retaliation.
There is now serious concern in the White House that the loyalist paramilitaries will be provoked by the IRA into ending their ceasefire, leading to a full-scale resumption of violence. Presidential aides have been in contact with the loyalist political parties urging them to restrain the paramilitaries from retaliation.
The presence of an important US Congress delegation in Belfast today is seen as an extra incentive to the IRA to provoke a loyalist reprisal in the hope of influencing the American politicians.
President Clinton praised the "loyalists and their leaders" for their "great courage and restraint in not allowing themselves to be drawn into an escalating spiral of violence. I urge them to remain steadfast," he said in a statement.
He said that he was "grieved and outraged by the callous killing of a British soldier".
He added: "The First Lady and I extend our deepest sympathy to the soldier's family and to the British government and people one the loss of this young man. We wish the authorities success in bringing the murderers swiftly to justice.
"All those who care about the future of Northern Ireland must join me in condemning this cowardly crime. I remain convinced that the people of both of Northern Ireland's traditions want to take the path of peace and reconciliation, not hatred and violence.
The President said that "the Belfast talks chaired by Senator Mitchell continue to have my full support. I urge all those taking part, who share a commitment to democratic values, to move as rapidly as possible into substantive negotiations about the future of Northern Ireland."