The US should be ready to appoint a special envoy to assist the peace process in Northern Ireland, the Republican presidential candidate, Gov George W. Bush, has stated in a letter to the Taoiseach and to the North's First and Deputy First Ministers. The governor has also called for the full implementation of the Patten Report on police reform.
The letter was hand-delivered to the offices of the Taoiseach and the Stormont ministers by a party colleague of Mr Bush, Gov John Rowland of Connecticut, who was leading a trade delegation from his home state to Dublin and Belfast.
The letter, signed by Mr Bush last week, expresses his admiration for the work of the Taoiseach and the two Northern Ireland Ministers for "your commitment to peace in Northern Ireland" and success in "furthering reconciliation and bringing an elected representative Assembly to Northern Ireland".
Its most significant paragraph states: "You may be assured of my personal interest and full commitment to helping move the peace process forward. I believe that the support of the United States was an important element in helping the parties achieve the Good Friday Agreement, and that America should be ready, if necessary, to appoint a special envoy to further facilitate the search for lasting peace, justice and reconciliation."
On policing, the letter states: "I am also encouraged by the work of Chris Patten and his commission in reviewing and recommending reforms of the police authorities in Northern Ireland. I appreciate the importance of tradition and symbols, and the sensitivities of the communities in Northern Ireland on this issue, and support the full implementation of the commission's recommendations."
The letter adds: "People know that you and the people of the entire island of Ireland have a friend in George W. Bush. America should remain engaged in the Irish peace process, and I will work hard and pray always for a lasting peace in Northern Ireland."
Noting the economic growth on "the entire island of Ireland", Gov Bush says this can be attributed at least in part to the strengthening of business ties between the US and Ireland: "I strongly support continued and increased private American investment in both Northern Ireland and the Republic."
Mr Grant Lally, a New York lawyer who is national chairman of Irish for Bush, said last night that Gov Rowland, who knew Gov Bush well, had been asked by the candidate to deliver the letters in the course of Irish visit, "to express his interest, concern and commitment to moving the peace process forward and supporting the work of the Patten Commission".
The letter, which could provoke a counter-letter from Gov Bush's rival, the Vice-President, Al Gore, was seen in Irish-American circles as confirmation that, in the event of a Republican victory, Northern Ireland would stay on the White House agenda.
The text of the letter echoes the language of the Northern Ireland section of the party platform adopted at the recent Republican Party convention.