President Clinton has assured members of Congress he is closely monitoring the implementation of the Patten report on reform of the RUC. He has confirmed that the FBI will not be allowed to continue training the RUC or its successor unless the Patten recommendations are fully implemented.
Senators Edward Kennedy and Chris Dodd have also spoken out in the Senate on the importance of police reforms in the North. Mr Clinton has written to Mr Ben Gilman, the chairman of the International Relations Committee in the House of Representatives, that "both Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern are aware of my strong interest in this issue."
Mr Gilman had reminded Mr Clinton that under a law passed earlier this year he has to certify the Patten report has been fully implemented before the FBI can resume training courses for the RUC or its successor.
Mr Clinton in his reply says that "while it is up to the people of Northern Ireland and Members of Parliament to address the specific proposals, we will - consistent with US law - carefully monitor the commitments of the British and Irish governments to assist in the full implementation of the Patten report recommendations. "Legislation aimed at implementing Patten is currently making its way through Westminster. Once that legislation has been adopted and we have had a chance to evaluate its impact, I will assess whether I can make the necessary certification."
The Kennedy/Dodd resolution in the Senate calls for the "full and speedy implementation" of Patten.