Muted welcome for Clinton in Belfast after enthusiasm in Dundalk

Belfast Lord Mayor Sammy Wilson, a member of the radical loyalist Democratic Unionist Party led by Ian Paisley, was not on hand to welcome Clinton's helicopter when it arrived at Belfast City Airport. Clinton was met by Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson.

A relatively small crowd of 300 turned out to greet him outside his hotel in the city. Clinton held a late-night meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair declined to comment ahead of the visit. During Wednesday Clinton is to hold separate meetings with the rival political leaders involved in the Northern Irish peace process, with Blair following a similar schedule.

Among them are Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble of the loyalist Ulster Unionist Party, his deputy Seamus Mallon of the moderate republican Social Democratic and Labour Party, and Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army.

Irish political leaders are hopeful of progress over disarmament by both Catholic republicans and Protestant loyalists but do not expect any dramatic breakthrough. Nationalists are hoping for further dismantling of British army installations in Northern Ireland. On Thursday Clinton is in London to meet Queen Elizabeth. Later in the day he makes a foreign policy address before flying home.

On this, his third visit to Ireland during his presidency, Clinton has sought to cement his efforts during eight years in office to secure peace in the British province.

(la/dpa)