The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, expressed strong confidence yesterday in the continuity of US interest in the Irish peace process and in the new administration's determination to maintain the "legacy of even-handedness" of its predecessor. He said he discerned in Washington "clear goodwill, interest and commitment."
Mr Cowen was speaking to journalists in Washington following a meeting with the President's National Security Adviser, Dr Condoleezza Rice. She, he said, had reflected a strong, wellbriefed, personal interest in Ireland and had spoken of the President's own repeated interest.
She said that Mr Bush looked forward to meeting the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, on March 16th.
Mr Cowen also met the Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, and he addressed the House International Affairs Committee.
Mr Bush has expressed his willingness to maintain an engagement in a letter to the Taoiseach, Mr Cowen said.
The substance of US policy would not change, "but it is clear the style is dependent on each President", he said. He dismissed suggestions that because there would be no large St Patrick's Day party in the White House, there would be a diminution in access and influence for the Irish.
What mattered, Mr Cowen insisted, was the traditional formal presentation of shamrock, which will happen on the 16th, and the opportunity of direct contact with the Taoiseach that that represented.
"That's the substance," Mr Cowen said.
He added that their discussion had focused on the current stage of the peace process and their mutual perception that its dynamic lay in the hands of the local parties.
He said he briefed Dr Rice on last night's meeting between Mr Ahern and Mr Blair, and its focus on the need to provide confidence-building measures for each community to demonstrate that the process is moving forward despite the hiatus caused by the prospect of a British election.