[OG Cynicism: Why do I immediately think that this is a set-up; that Gerry Adams has manipulated the talks so that Clinton can come in and save the day, thereby elevating his status?]

NYDailyNews

Bill Offers His Help On N. Ireland Peace

By RICHARD SISK Daily News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON ormer President Bill Clinton upstaged the White House yesterday with an offer to resume his role as a Northern Ireland peace mediator just as crisis talks faltered.

The surprise offer by Clinton caught the State Department and White House off guard, prompting hurried statements that President Bush also was ready to help.

After meeting with the British and Irish prime ministers, and taking a long phone call from Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Clinton "would be happy to continue his longstanding commitment to bringing peace to Northern Ireland," Julia Payne, his spokeswoman, said.

She stressed that Clinton, who was in Britain to make a speech and attend the Wimbledon tennis matches, would not act without approval from Bush and the groups participating in the ongoing talks at a mansion in the British Midlands.

The White House appeared cool to Clinton's overture. Press secretary Ari Fleischer said Clinton met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern strictly "in his capacity as a private citizen."

Fleischer quickly added that Bush was "ready to assist" in the talks between the prime ministers and the Northern Ireland parties that have bogged down on the issue of Irish Republican Army disarmament.

But a spokesman for the British Embassy said his government was open to having Clinton involved.

"He's had influence in the past," the spokesman said. "If he can do anything to move this forward — great."

Clinton was Blair's guest at Chequers, the prime minister's country estate, last weekend, and later met with Ahern.

Clinton "would love it if Bush gave the go-ahead" to get involved, a source close to the talks said. "He's playing no formal role," the source said, but "the parties continue to reach out to him.... They trust him."

Clinton's offer to mediate contrasted with his own mixed feelings about former Presidents getting involved in policy when he sat in the Oval Office. Clinton often chafed at former President Jimmy Carter's peace campaigns in North Korea and Africa.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001