Clintons visit Enniskillen peace centre

Mr Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton are today visiting the Enniskillen peace centre that is named after the former US…

Mr Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton are today visiting the Enniskillen peace centre that is named after the former US president.

The Clintons travelled to the Co Fermanagh town - where 11 people were killed by an IRA bomb on Remembrance Day in 1987 - on the second day of their two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

Security was tight around the centre which Senator Clinton was visiting for the first time.  The building was officially opened by the former President in June 2002. It houses a 150-seat auditorium, two seminar rooms, an art gallery, cafe and a 70-bed en-suite youth hostel.

Among those who attended were Sinn Féin MP Ms Michelle Gildernew. She said the Clintons' two-day visit had also boosted the peace process.  "Their visit has been good for this town, good for the county and good for the peace process," she said.  "I think it was very good timing and hopefully it will give a much needed boost to the talks in September."

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With the county's Gaelic football team currently bidding for All-Ireland Championship success with a crucial semi-final against Mayo, a cheer from the people outside the centre was reserved for the appearance of a team flag.

The Clintons spent yesterday meeting Northern Ireland's politicians in a bid to urge them to restore devolution at Stormont.

In her speech at the University of Ulster's Magee College campus in Derry, Senator Clinton urged unionists and nationalists to make progress in next month's talks involving Prime Minister Tony Blair at Leeds Castle, Maidstone.

The New York senator, who was delivering a lecture in memory of legendary Irish American congressman Mr Tip O'Neill, said: "We are in a new and difficult world.

"It requires unity of purpose and commitment to stand with the fundamental principles that underlie the Good Friday Agreement."

Mr Clinton, who brought Belfast city centre to a standstill during a visit to a bookstore to sign copies of his memoirs, also claimed the politicians had to complete the process of implementing the Belfast Agreement. The former president insisted: "The ball is in their court."

He rejected claims that the Belfast Agreement was dead and he described himself as a cheerleader for peace.

PA