Adams meets President Bush in Washington

The US President, Mr George W Bush, today shook hands with the Sinn Féin President,Mr Gerry Adams, as he met Northern Ireland…

The US President, Mr George W Bush, today shook hands with the Sinn Féin President,Mr Gerry Adams, as he met Northern Ireland's political leaders.

The gesture came at the end of a lunch in the American capital to mark St Patrick's Day. The event was attended by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern; Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble; Deputy First Minister Mr Seamus Mallon and leading members of the Irish-American community.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Trimble said the lunch had been a positive encounter.

"We were delighted to have the opportunity to meet the President," said the first minister. "The president spoke very well and very graciously. I think it was a very pleasant occasion."

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Mr Bush made no major announcement on the direction of the new administration's policy towards Northern Ireland during the lunch.

There had been concern that the move would mean Northern Ireland would receive less attention that it had from former president Mr Bill Clinton. Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon both emphasised that it was up to Mr Bush how he organised his government.

President Bush did not discuss the issue of banning the 'Real IRA' from fund-raising in the United States.

Yesterday, the American Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, said the process of putting a ban in place was under way. PA