PRESIDENT Clinton welcomed the report of the International Body headed by Senator George Mitchell as a "valuable tool" to reach the goal of all party talks and encouraged all the parties to use the report to advance peace process.
The mood of satisfaction among many Irish Americans at the recommendations in the report turned quickly to one of consternation, however, at the news of the British proposal that elections should take place before all party talks.
Mr Clinton said that the recommendations deserved "serious and open minded consideration" by all who shared the goal of a just and lasting peace, though he stopped short of urging the parties to accept its recommendations, which include movement to all party talks without preconditions.
Washington is clearly cautious about getting involved on either side in the row which has broken out in the wake of the publication of the report over the British government proposal for elections as a new condition for moving to all party talks.
The White House was evidently well aware of British and unionist leanings towards an election to create a negotiating forum. A senior administration official said last week that the proposal to set up an assembly deserved "serious consideration".
At the same time, Senator Mitchell is held in such high regard personally by the President that there would be a negative reaction if the White House concluded that Mr Major had effectively "scuppered" the Mitchell report, as Sinn Fein and the SDLP say. Mr Mitchell has been in touch with senior officials and his assessment of the reaction will be crucial.
Washington's role will be central in the coming days. The events of yesterday present the White House with a dilemma as it resumes its role of nudging the process forward.
Officials in Washington realise that unionist participation is vital to progress and that Mr David Trimble is a key figure in the political track, but they will also be aware of the hostility in the nationalist camp to the proposal for elections.
In the past week, senior officials have been in constant telephone contact with the parties and in the next two weeks Mr Trimble, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, and the Northern Ireland junior minister, Mr Michael Ancram, will be in Washington for consultations with Mr Clinton's national security adviser, Mr Anthony Lake and his colleague, Ms Nancy Soderberg.
The White House did not respond last night to a request for its reaction to the British government's proposal for elections.
Mr Clinton made quite clear in his statement that the US would remain involved in the peace process.
"The United States stands by its commitment to support the efforts of the British and Irish governments, the political parties and the people of Northern Ireland to create a bright and peaceful future for themselves and their children", he said. "I encourage all the parties to use the report of the International Body to, advance the peace process.
The report's "recommendations do not reflect the views of any one party, but the considered judgment of its members who want only to help the people of Northern Ireland achieve a just and lasting peace. Their recommendations deserve serious and open minded consideration by all who share that goal".
Mr Clinton commended Senator Mitchell and his colleagues General de Chastelain of Canada and Mr Holkeri of Finland saying that they had made a "significant and positive contribution" to the peace process.
"I join the British and Irish governments in expressing gratitude for their service", he said.
"The International Body's report is based on the submissions it received from relevant and interested parties in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Together with the political track I believe it will be a valuable tool for the British and Irish governments as they work to reach the goal of all party talks."
Irish Americans warmly welcomed the Mitchell report. Mr Niall O'Dowd, the New York, publisher who organised the Irish American group which helped to facilitate the IRA ceasefire, described it as a "huge breakthrough" and said that they would be seeking to persuade the White House to push for all party talks.
The report removed a "senseless precondition", Mr O'Dowd said. "Unfortunately, we have lost considerable time and have placed the process in severe jeopardy because of this precondition. It is absolutely critical that the two governments and the parties build on the Mitchell report. We will be redoubling our efforts to ensure that Irish Americans and the White House continue pushing for all party negotiations."
Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy said that he welcomed the report "as a reasonable way forward", adding "I hope all sides will make the fair and modest conclusions needed to enable the peace process to move forward."
Republican Congressman Peter King, in a statement issued before the British proposal for elections, said that the Mitchell group had removed the "last impediment" to the road to lasting peace for all in Ireland.
"The beginning of open and honest talks involving the Irish and British governments and all political parties involved, including Sinn Fein, will mark the beginning of the end of the Irish conflict", he said.