PRESIDENT Clinton has called on both the new British Prime Minister and the IRA to take steps to get the Northern Ireland peace process back on track again.
Speaking to reporters in the White House at the weekend about the result of the British elections, he said: "I hope and pray, now that the British election is over, that Mr Blair will take up the torch, that the IRA will declare a ceasefire and that we can get back on the road to resolving that problem. It is high time."
The remarks confirm that Mr Clinton hopes the change of government in Britain will result in a new initiative which will encourage the IRA to call a ceasefire and so allow Sinn Fein to join the negotiations for a political settlement.
The fact that he gave the Northern Ireland problem such prominence in what was a brief exchange with reporters is evidence that the US President gives it a high priority. Since his inaugural address he has frequently referred to Northern Ireland as one of the trouble spots in the world which is calling out for a solution.
Mr Clinton spoke to Mr Blair on election night to congratulate him on his victory but it is not known if he raised Northern Ireland. There is no shift, however, in the White House position that Sinn Fein cannot be allowed join the peace talks until the IRA declares a genuine ceasefire.
But by referring to Mr Blair and the IRA together, the President appears to be suggesting that the new Prime Minister could take some steps or confidence building measures to facilitate an IRA ceasefire.
He said he looked forward to working with Mr Blair, whom he described as "a very exciting man, a very able man. I like him very much".
He said that the landslide Labour win was "obviously a big vote for change".
"I think it once again proves that the people do not want political parties and political leadership tied to the rhetoric of the past."
Referring to Mr John Major, Mr Clinton said that he represented Britain "very well in the world", but "the Conservatives had a good long run. You know, nothing lasts forever."