NI reaction: Next week's visit by President George Bush will greatly help move the peace process forward, the pro-Agreement parties have claimed.
However, the DUP has criticised the US President's decision not to meet the party. President Bush is expected to fly into RAF Aldergrove around 6 p.m. on Monday. Although plans cannot be confirmed at this stage, there is speculation that he will be welcomed at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, by Mr Blair.
The leaders will spend Monday evening discussing progress in the war on Iraq. On Tuesday, President Bush will meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. He will later hold discussions with the pro-Agreement parties, including Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP, and Alliance.
He will leave the North on Tuesday night. On Thursday, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern will return to Hillsborough Castle to publish their peace plan to restore the Assembly and the Executive.
Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, said President Bush's visit was "a strong signal of his support" for the Belfast Agreement. "Sinn Féin will be pleased to discuss the Irish peace process with both President Bush and Prime Minister Blair. We will seek to build on the progress made in our recent discussions with the British and Irish governments on the full implementation of the Agreement," he said.
SDLP deputy leader, Ms Bríd Rodgers, said: "We are delighted that this US administration has continued to be engaged with the peace process as much as the previous one. George Bush's arrival will be very helpful."
Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, said he greatly appreciated the visit by the President and Mr Blair. "For these two leaders to devote any time in their busy schedules to the current difficulties in Northern Ireland underlines their commitment to the restoration of democratic institutions without the threat of violence from paramilitaries who have yet to acknowledge their time has past."
DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, criticised President Bush's decision to meet only pro-Agreement parties.
"Even President Clinton who was no friend of unionism was prepared to met the DUP and hear our point of view. It is absurd for President Bush to be bringing democracy to people in Iraq and yet refuse to meet the democratic voice of the majority of unionists in Northern Ireland," he said.
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, said Mr Blair was "clearly calling in a favour" by President Bush's visit. "The aim is to put pressure on the parties to reach a deal but I don't think many unionists will be influenced.
"It is already clear what is on the table offers us very little and flying George Bush into the country isn't going to change that."