US President George Bush will approach the Northern Ireland peace process differently from his predecessor Bill Clinton, Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble predicted today.
Speaking at the end of a week of St Patrick's Day events in Washington, Mr Trimble said he expected the Bush administration to be less involved in the process.
The Northern Ireland First Minister observed: "They will be trying to do less in some respects but I think doing it in a cooler and clearer way.
"I was very impressed by the speech that Bush gave at the Speaker's lunch on Thursday.
"There was no waffle. There was no padding. He analysed the issues - analysed them clearly, analysed them correctly, ticked the boxes, put out his position very clearly with a nice touch of humour, which I appreciated."
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Mr Trimble was speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme after President Bush told a St Patrick's Day reception in the White House yesterday his administration would do all it could to support the peace process.
Speaking after he received the traditional gift of shamrock from Taoiseach Mr Ahern, President Bush said the US was ready and willing to become involved.
"I assure him and continue to do so that the US stands ready to help in any way that those involved need," the President declared.
He also paid tribute to Mr Ahern's role.
"The peace process that holds today is in no small measure a tribute to the Prime Minister and courageous leadership.
"We are grateful for all that the Prime Minister and the Irish Government have done to help the peace in Northern Ireland."
The White House reception was attended by Northern Ireland leaders from across the political spectrum.
Mr Trimble was joined by Stormont Deputy First Minister Mr Seamus Mallon of the nationalist SDLP.
Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams joined SDLP leader Mr John Hume and Ulster Unionist Enterprise Minister Sir Reg Empey.
The leader of the anti-agreement Democratic Unionists, the Rev Ian Paisley, and his deputy Mr Peter Robinson, also visited the White House.
Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid claimed in Washington today the visit had improved the atmosphere between the Northern politicians.
He told the same programme: "When we're in Northern Ireland, we can sometimes get a bit overawed by the difficulties of the next challenge.
"When we come out from Northern Ireland and look at it talking to politicians and statement here right across the spectrum, we recognise the huge steps forward that we have had, the distance we have come."
PA