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Bush Offers Britain Help, if Needed, in N. Ireland
President George W. Bush told British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday he would be willing to help at any time if asked to assist in promoting the peace process in Northern Ireland.
"I will be standing by, anxious to help, if I am needed," Bush told a news conference after the two met at the president's Camp David retreat in snow-covered wooded hills northwest of Washington.
Bush praised the contribution of his predecessor, Bill Clinton, who invested enormous time and political clout to help bring about the 1998 Good Friday political settlement which set up a structure for peace after decades of communal violence.
Blair said he was very grateful for Bush's offer. Although he said it was hard to foresee the circumstances in which he might ask Bush to help, he said: "The fact that I know he is there and willing to do that is very important."
Protestants and Catholics still feud over implementation of the 1998 agreement, including over reforms to the Protestant-dominated police force, demands for guerrilla disarmament and a reduction of the British troop presence.
(www.chinadaily.com.cn)
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