The reverberations of the attack by the Northern First Minister, Mr David Trimble, on the "sectarian" nature of the Republic rumbled on here yesterday, reflecting the considerable anger and bewilderment it generated this week on Capitol Hill and in the Irish-American community. On Wednesday night at the huge American-Ireland Fund Gala in the Ronald Reagan Centre here, the comments were the subject of much concern.
The US "point man" on Ireland, Ambassador Richard Haass, echoed the mood, yesterday telling the BBC's Hearts and Minds programme the comments were "regrettable". He said he thought leaders should not talk "in ways that sharpen sectarian conflict". And the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, joined critics of Mr Trimble in saying the latter's characterisation of the Republic was wrong. "As regards what Mr Trimble said, that's for him to defend," Dr Reid said. "I don't agree with him. The government doesn't agree with him. I think the Republic has gone a long, long way in the last 20 years economically, socially and in terms of politics." He said the Republic had played a very constructive role in the North.
Asked if the comments had marred the week, he said they had added "a certain spice".
"Well, we clearly would have a difference of view on that," Mr Trimble retorted to journalists when asked about their criticisms.
Although he was not retracting any of his recent comments Mr Trimble as good as apologised to the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan, beside him, for the way in which he had raised his idea of a Border referendum without notice. "I must confess," he said,"it doesn't always make it easier for other people, when suggestions are just tossed out without any prior warning or consultation." Mr Durkan nodded vigorously.
"I appreciate the difficulties that makes for other people, and I'm sorry I've just got into the habit of doing this on occasions," Mr Trimble added, pledging a purpose of amendment. But, he said, the issue was now in the public domain for debate and was the sort of issue that could be pursued by the Implementation Group which has been suggested by the British government but has not yet come into existence.
In their morning meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, the Ministers discussed ways in which the US administration might help alleviate some of the province's socio-economic problems. But they did not touch on the idea of specific help to disaffected Loyalist communities that recent comments by Ambassador Haass, and the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, have hinted at.
Both Ministers described the meeting, and that later with Mr Haass, as positive and welcomed the continuing US interest in and engagement in the North. Mr Powell had been "very supportive", promised to keep closely in touch with the issue, and had been particularly interested in the work of the Policing Board, Mr Durkan said.
Mr Trimble said he welcomed Dr Reid's recruitment of an expert adviser on organised crime, Prof Ronald Goldstock, former director of the New York Organised Crime Task Force, but said the real challenge was for the whole community to take on the idea that there was a real problem.
While Mr Durkan welcomed the newly-announced city status for Newry and Lisburn, Mr Trimble expressed disappointment that Craigavon, the "hub of the North, has been overlooked and this will lead to disappointment"."Craigavon was promised city status many years ago," he said, pledging to raise the matter with Dr Reid.
Both Ministers and Dr Reid later attended a St Patrick's Day lunch at the British Embassy where Dr Reid confessed that he had never expected such a large and distinguished crowd to partake in his honeymoon.