Clinton urges on quest for peace

Former US president Mr Bill Clinton told the people of Enniskillen that recent sporadic violence was the "last gasp of an old…

Former US president Mr Bill Clinton told the people of Enniskillen that recent sporadic violence was the "last gasp of an old order" and that they should not be put off in the quest for peace.

He was in Co Fermanagh yesterday for the dedication of the Clinton Centre, an education and peace centre. He earlier visited Belfast briefly.

He told an invited audience of local representatives; the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan; and the local MP, Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew, that "old habits [of violence] die hard" and that they must continue to do all they can to "stand against it and bring it to an end".

The £3 million centre, a locally designed modern structure, has been built on the site of the Enniskillen bombing, which killed 11 people during a remembrance ceremony in November 1987. A 12th victim died in 2000 having spent 13 years in a coma.

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The centre comprises conference facilities, accommodation, communication services and a gallery. The centre, whose motto is "Peace through Prosperity", will be used to develop education, social and business plans.

The Fermanagh-University Partnership Board, which brings together local contributing organisations, will work to deliver on the centre's potential.

Its chairman, Mr Gerry Burns, said it stood as a fitting legacy to Mr Clinton and would help foster better relations at home, throughout Ireland and the world.

Mr Clinton said: "Never underestimate the importance of the successful peace in Northern Ireland on the troubled parts of the world. What you have done here is a microcosm of the work the world has to do."

There had been grievous loss in Enniskillen, he said, but the new centre could be "a shining beacon to the world".