Plans by the Governor of New York State to join Catholic schoolchildren in the Ardoyne today were cancelled last night following an intervention by the White House.
The Governor, Mr George Pataki, angered by the treatment meted out to the Holy Cross School pupils, had been due to leave Albany yesterday afternoon for Belfast.
The decision not to travel had also been influenced by a call from the Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Patrick Walsh, for outside parties not to get involved in the dispute.
A spokesman for the Governor said his aircraft had been ready to leave Albany "within hours": "The Governor was outraged when he saw the bigotry targeted at the young children in Holy Cross."
The White House had been notified of the Governor's intention to travel to Northern Ireland in line with normal practice, said the spokesman, following discussions between Mr Pataki and his officials on Saturday.
Once notified, the White House quickly raised concerns that Mr Pataki's presence could cause difficulties for the negotiations due this week involving the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid. "Therefore, we decided not to make the trip at this time, because we are not convinced that it would be in the best interests of the children," the spokesman told The Irish Times early today.
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