President Clinton's forth coming visit to Ireland would help to focus the minds of participants in the peace process, but no immediate progress was expected, sources said last night.
"Given that the President knows the detail and all the players, his visit can only be helpful in creating the right mood music", a senior source said.
It is understood the choice of Dundalk as a stopping point for the President on his way from Dublin to Belfast on Tuesday evening was made by US officials and received the support of both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, who represents the Louth constituency in the Dail.
The President's open-air speech in the main square of Dundalk will be preceded by about two hours of musical entertainment. There were hopes that the Corrs, who come from Dundalk, would be able to take part, although the band is said to be in the US at present.
Delay in finalising the details of the visit was causing anxiety to the Government because of the necessity to issue invitations to various events in good time. This was conveyed to representatives of the US administration by the Taoiseach and his Department.
Also on Tuesday, the President will meet and address members of the Dail and Seanad along with other invited guests at a special reception in the Guinness Storehouse on Dublin's Market Street.
Following his address in Dundalk, due to begin shortly after 6 p.m., the President and Mrs Clinton will travel by helicopter to Belfast, where they will stay at the Hilton Hotel.
On Wednesday morning, he and Mr Tony Blair will spend three hours in talks with the parties at Stormont's Parliament Buildings. Mrs Clinton is expected to attend an event elsewhere in Belfast along with her daughter, Chelsea, and mother, Mrs Dorothy Rodham.
That afternoon, the President will make a keynote speech at the Odyssey Centre in the Belfast docks area. Afterwards, the Clintons will fly to Chequers on Air Force One for dinner with the Blairs.