Ahern pledges support for Bush's war on terror

The Taoiseach this afternoon offered Ireland’s support for the US-led war on terrorism at a meeting with President Bush in Washington.

The moral authority of the US, as an impartial and candid friend to all sides, has been an enormous resource to us in the quest for peace in Ireland. Mr Bertie Ahern

Speaking on the steps of the White House after the meeting, Mr Bertie Ahern said: "We will support in every way open to us the efforts of the international community against this deadly common threat to the very foundations of civilised society."

Mr Ahern, who is in the US for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, also delivered an upbeat assessment of progress in the Northern Ireland peace process.

"Leaders from across the entire political spectrum in Northern Ireland now co-operate in the government and in shaping the future of their society according to the mandate of their electorate."

The Taoiseach gave examples of cross-border institutions and new beginnings to previously intractable issues like policing as evidence of the progress to date.

"The moral authority of the US, as an impartial and candid friend to all sides, has been an enormous resource to us in the quest for peace in Ireland. We will always recall in gratitude the names of so many who have helped us," Mr Ahern said.

Mr Bush in turn praised the progress made by Northern Ireland's politicians with decommissioning and the running of the Northern Ireland Executive.

He also paid tribute to the Irish government for its support in the fight against global terrorism and for its leadership on the United Nations Security Council.

Mr Ahern met the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr David Trimble last night - the first meeting since Mr Trimble’s controversial description of the Republic as a "pathetic, sectarian, mono-cultural and mono-ethnic state".

I, like many people in the South and many in the North, took exception to David [Trimble's] description of the Republic Mr Mark Durkan, SDLP leader and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland

Mr Trimble, who today shared a platform with Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan at a seminar in Washington, defended his statements saying the language he used was nothing new.

"What I was doing was drawing a contrast on what is undoubtedly a multinational and multiethnic state such as the UK.

Mr Trimble then used the recent abortion referendum as an example of sectarianism in the Republic. "The vote on abortion was very sectarian and I think that is why my comments have touched a raw nerve."

Mr Durkan challenged First Minister’s comments.

"As far as the referendum was concerned, I do not think the campaign was sectarian and I certainly do not think the vote was sectarian.

"I, like many people in the South and many in the North took exception to David's description of the Republic," he said.

Sinn Féin party leader Mr Gerry Adams, also at the White House this afternoon, said Mr Trimble’s comments had deeply offended Irish-Americans.

A spokesman for Mr Adams said the matter had been discussed with Mr Richard Haas, Bush’s special advisor on Northern Ireland.

Mr Ahern and leaders of the Northern Irish political parties will attend a number of St Patrick’s Day events with President Bush.

Additional reporting by PA