HOPES for a renewed IRA ceasefire have been raised by the positive statements of the US President on the Northern Ireland peace process.
The North was a key issue in President Clinton's discussions yesterday with the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, and a major focus of attention at their joint press conference afterwards.
Downing Street sources said the two leaders were completely in tune on Northern Ireland. Mr Clinton had offered any assistance Mr Blair required. The President added that the role of the US was to support the British and Irish governments in their peace efforts.
President Clinton also addressed the issue at length during his press conference with Mr Blair in the Rose Garden of No 10 Downing Street. His remarks were generally welcomed by politicians in Northern Ireland, including the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, also welcomed the comments. She said in a statement that she hoped all other Americans who had Northern Ireland's best interests at heart would bring their influence to bear on Sinn Fein to respond to the Labour government's initiative.
Nationalist sources in the peace process said Mr Clinton's comments would strengthen the hand of those elements within the republican movement which favoured a restoration of the IRA ceasefire and the adoption of exclusively political methods.
Mr Clinton's reaffirmation of support for the peace process increases the momentum built up since the Labour government took office. He told Dr Mowlam that peace in the North was "an article of faith in my life and household".
At tile press conference Mr Clinton struck a balanced note between calling on the IRA "to lay down their guns for good" and stressing the need for all parties to engage wholeheartedly in the peace process.
He refused to be drawn on the question of what length of time: should elapse between an IRA ceasefire and Sinn Fein's admission to talks.
In addition to Northern Ireland, the two leaders discussed European issues, NATO, Bosnia, Hong Kong and a variety of economic, education and welfare matters.