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Irish Echo editorial: The Bush visit

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

And this weekend, President Bush will fly to Ireland to discuss with European leaders the problems of a world ablaze with violence, mistrust and hatred.
The Bush visit to Ireland is not primarily concerned with the island itself. It has a broader agenda. But it would be appropriate for the president to take time out from his set schedule to address the needs of a Northern Ireland peace process that has been stalled for far too long.
The American presidency retains a unique advantage in its dealing with all sides to the ongoing, though hobbled, peace process. It is, quite simply, too important a thing to be given the kind of backhanded treatment that Northern politicians have all too often dished out to each other.
A strong statement of support from Bush would be a timely boost to what may be the beginning a new round of talks designed to inject the process with the kind of everyday politics that the people of Northern Ireland badly need and so strongly desire.
North aside, the Bush visit is also, of course, expected to result in protests, most notably against the U.S. administration’s Iraq policy.
Ireland’s position on Iraq has been pulled in several directions over the last year. The Republic’s most tangible involvement, however, have been the facilitating of U.S. troop movements through Shannon Airport, where Air force One will itself touch down on Friday, and overflight permission. These policy decisions have exacted a political price from the president’s hosts, and Bush will no doubt express his gratitude to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Protest is normal and desirable in a democracy. President Bush would be the first to acknowledge that. But whatever form demonstrations take during the presidential overnight, we hope they are as peaceful and dignified as they are passionate and well-informed.
The fact that only a handful of journalists will apparently be allowed to ask questions at the conclusion of the summit is a matter of some regret. Large press conferences can be chaotic affairs, to be sure, but they are unequivocal signals to the world that democracy is at work.
Restrictions on the press is also a bad political tactic. It will simply result in deeper coverage of the protests, a consequence that can only frustrate the already embattled White House.
Whatever Ireland’s views of President Bush and his policies, we fervently hope that he and the first lady both come away with a sense of the place sufficient to induce a longer visit in whatever context the American voters decide come November.

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