IRELAND: LIMERICK: US PRESIDENT CLINTON VISIT

(5 Sep 1998) English/Nat

U-S President Bill Clinton has again made an impassioned plea to the people of Ireland not to let the peace they have achieved slip away.

Bill Clinton has arrived in the town of Limerick, on the last day of his trip to Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

He received the freedom of Limerick and an award to mark his contribution to the peace process.

The presidential entourage left Adare Manor on Saturday morning, heading for Limerick city where thousands had been gathering since dawn.

Around twenty thousand people crammed into the centre hoping to catch a glimpse of the U-S President.

When Bill and Hillary Clinton finally arrived, over an hour behind schedule, the crowd went wild.

However, a sombre note was delivered by Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

He told the crowd that the death toll from the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland has risen to 29, after a man injured in the blast died in hospital.

Bertie Ahern praised Bill Clinton for his part in the peace process, thanking him for allowing two U-S senators to help with talks.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When President Clinton last visited these shores the Good Friday agreement was a dream, now it's a reality, but he knows this because he helped to make it all happen."
SUPER CAPTION: Bertie Ahern, Irish Prime Minister

The U-S President then made a passionate, rallying speech to crowds clogging the streets.

Clinton said Ireland's negotiated peace makes it a shining example for people everywhere, from Rwanda to the Middle East to Kosovo.

And he played down his role in the peace process.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Make no mistake about it, the main credit for the peace process belongs to the Irish, to the people, to the people who voted for the Good Friday agreement, to the leaders of the various groups in Northern Ireland who supported it, to the prime minister of Great Britain and to your extraordinary Bertie Ahern who has been brilliant."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

The U-S President said there are still enemies of peace who want to destroy what has been achieved, but they must not be allowed to break the will of the people.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"No matter what happens between now and then, remember what it was like on this day, looking up this street, looking up that street, this is you at your best, do not let them break your will."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

For his help with the peace process Bill Clinton received an award from the nine universities of Ireland.

For the first time in history they've combined to bestow honours on three heads of state who've helped in the peace process.

That's U-S President Bill Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Bill Clinton was also presented with the highest honour Limerick City can bestow, the freedom of the city.

The same honour was given to former U-S President John F. Kennedy, when he visited Limerick many years ago.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Now that you have given me the freedom of the city, I can say 'my fellow citizens'."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President

A presentation was also made to First Lady Hillary Clinton.

She was given a piece of Irish Dresden.

After the formalities were over Bill and Hillary Clinton took to the crowds, shaking hands and greeting people.

In the afternoon Bill Clinton relaxed with a round of golf at the world famous Ballybunion course.

Then it's back to the White House -- and continuing criticism over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

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