The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last night met the Ulster Unionist Leader, Mr David Trimble, in Washington, as pressure mounts in advance of the Northern Assembly elections in late May.
The talks in the Mayflower Hotel were arranged at short notice and mark a series of informal contacts that have been taking place between the Northern Ireland parties on the margins of Washington's St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Last night, Mr Ahern said the Irish and British governments wanted to agree on the text of a final document with the parties before the end of this month, to be unveiled subsequently in talks early next month in Hillsborough.
Speaking in The White House, the President, Mr Bush, said the United States would continue to play a supportive role "to ensure lasting peace in Northern Ireland".
"Recent years have seen historic progress thanks to the tireless efforts of Prime Ministers Ahern and Blair, and many other people who have longed for peace. Now, our parties can and must build on this progress made so that the people of Northern Ireland can replace old resentments with new co-operation and new hope," he said.
Later, Mr Ahern discussed the Northern Ireland issue with two leading Democratic senators, Mr Ted Kennedy and Mr Chris Dodds, both of whom paid tribute to Mr Ahern.
"He has been an indispensable figure in the march towards peace," said Mr Kennedy, while Mr Dodds said Mr Ahern had been "a great friend to the United States on countless issues ... We are very hopeful that we are coming to a closure in coming days. That is our fervent hope at this St Patrick's Day. When it is completed, there will be a lot of people who will be able to claim credit." Cautiously optimistic, the Taoiseach said all sides must "keep pressing on over coming days ... I think the important thing is that we can just finish up on the agreement. They are aware of everything in that package.
"I know that there are a few items that people don't like. They are not necessarily the same items. There has to be a balance, there has to be a compromise. I will be endeavouring to make sure that any points that David Trimble has are dealt with," he said.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach cautioned against fears that the US contribution to the International Fund for Ireland will be cut from $25 million to just $8 million next year, affecting the budgets of community groups on both sides of the Border.
"We have this process every year. The figures move forward and are adjusted on Capitol Hill. I do not see it as any major difficulty."
