US President George Bush's new special envoy to Ireland, Dr Mitchell Reiss, has made his first visit to Belfast, coinciding with today's opening of the review of the Belfast Agreement.
Dr Reiss, who replaced Dr Richard Haass as President Bush's expert on the Irish peace process, is coming to grips with his brief by meeting political leaders as well as senior figures involved in policing.
Dr Reiss said in Belfast yesterday that he would be directly involved on behalf of President Bush and the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, in the peace process. This reflected the president's "ongoing commitment to the peace process".
Like Dr Haass, the new envoy is a high-powered individual with senior governmental experience. He is an expert on international security and arms control issues and was chief negotiator with the body charged with addressing weapons proliferation concerns in North Korea. He was appointed director for policy planning by Mr Powell last July.
Dr Reiss hinted that there would again be political visits from Northern politicians to Washington during St Patrick's week. He would not be directly involved in the review, but he would be monitoring it closely and would be available to lend assistance and support, if requested. He would return to the North in April. "Of course, I will also be available to come over any time when it is seen to be useful to events in the peace process." During this visit he would be primarily in "listening and learning" mode.
Overall, he was optimistic about the peace process. "You have to be optimistic. Look how far Northern Ireland has come over the past few decades. There is more work to be done, but my understanding is that the people of Northern Ireland in particular want the politicians to succeed."
