I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 25, 40, 43 and 53 together.
In the course of my visit to the US in the last week of September, I and my officials had the opportunity of meeting President Clinton and both his National Security Advisor, Tony Lake, and Deputy National Security Advisor, Nancy Soderberg. Ms Soderberg was in Dublin in early October, when we had a further meeting. Mr. Lake and Ms Soderberg both accompanied President Clinton on his official visit to Ireland last Friday and I again had the opportunity to meet with both of them.
The main focus of my discussion with the President throughout his visit was the recent Anglo-Irish Communiqué and possible developments in the twin track process in the immediate future. I thanked the President for his constructive engagement and for enabling the appointment of Senator George Mitchell as chair of the Body on Decommissioning. I stressed the importance of maintaining momentum towards all-party talks, and also the value of the economic dimension of US involvement.