The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, put the onus firmly on the United Nations Security Council today to break the standoff over the Iraq issue at St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House today.
He thanked US president George W Bush at the traditional St Patrick's event on Capitol Hill for his support in the Northern peace process and said he supported UN attempts to find a common position on Iraq.
Mr Bush told the Taoiseach he would do all he could to help the Northern Ireland peace process during the early celebration in Washington today.
"America has long supported their work and hope that it continues. We will help in every way we can," the President said.
He added that recent years had seen progress "so that the people of Northern Ireland can replace old resentments with new co-operation."
Mr Ahern said the "generous support" of the US was a great source of encouragement and that advances already made in the peace process would not have been possible without this assistance.
The St Patrick's Day reception took place four days early, reflecting the priority of the Iraq crisis over the issue of Northern Ireland.
Mr Bush praised Mr Ahern for his support for the first UN resolution and urged him to continue supporting the hard-line US position against Saddam Hussein.
"The responsibilities of freedom are not always easy but Ireland and America are joined by a common commitment to freedom and a defence against tyranny."
"Ireland is a valued member of the coalition againstglobal terror, and we thank you," he added.
Mr Ahern, who is under severe domestic pressure to definitively state Ireland's position, said it was his "wish" that action be supported by the Security Council.
"Our goal is the goal of the United Nations: the disarmament of the Iraqi regime, by peaceful menas if possible."For the United Nations to be effective, for the United Nations to be respected, it must be united in purpose as well as in name.
"Even at this late hour, we look to the present members of the Council to work together to ensure that resolutions of the Council are fully implemented.
"Members of the Council have Ireland's full support as they seek to carry out their heavy responsibility."
But yesterday in the Dáil, Mr Ahern flatly refused to outline the Government's attitude to a US-led attack on Iraq without UN backing. "I have not stated it since September and I will not state it now," he told angry opposition TDs.
He also refused to rule out allowing the US military use Shannon Airport in the event of an attack. He said his advice was there were no legal issues surrounding its continued use.
Mr Ahern had faced calls from Irish anti-war campaigners to boycott the ceremony as a protest against America's war preparations.
A group of anti-war campaigners - including TDs and social campaigners - today issued an open letter calling for people celebrating St Patrick's Day to wear something white "in an attempt to influence American public opinion in advance of the perceived March 17th deadline for military action against Iraq".
"We call upon people in Ireland, in America, in Britian, in Australia and around the world to wear and display symbols of peace and of opposition to violence on St Patrick's Day, March 17th, our national holiday.
"In particular we ask that you wear white shamrocks, white ribbons, white armbands, white flags and other creative symbols of peace and of opposition to violence and to otherwise make known your desire for a peaceful resolution to this conflict," the letter said.
Mr Bush and Mr Ahern both wore green ties for today's ceremony, which was also attended by the First Lady Laura Bush and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The ceremony concluded with Mr Ahern presenting Mr Bush with a shamrock to enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Additional reporting Reuters