IRELAND: The Taoiseach last night urged Irish people not to protest against the June visit of President Bush, which, he said, will be an honour for the Irish people and a chance to put the European view to him on a range of issues.
Speaking to reporters last night, Mr Ahern said the Irish Presidency of the EU was trying to get the EU-US relationship "back on an even keel" and in this light he hoped there would not be protests.
He acknowledged that there had been differences between the EU and the US, not just over the Iraq war but on environmental issues. "This is a chance for us to engage on behalf of the EU directly with the Americans, to put the EU view."
He said the US economy was now doing very well and there was a prospect of promoting investment and trade. "This is an opportunity for Ireland," he said.
The long-anticipated summit meeting of the European Union and the United States will take place in Ireland over two days on June 25th and 26th, at the end of the six-month EU presidency.
Protesters yesterday made clear their intention to mount what they hope will be large-scale, peaceful demonstrations.
The venue for Mr Bush's visit has yet to be decided and the location will be a matter for the Irish authorities, as the host government. While Dublin Castle would be an obvious choice because of its wide range of facilities, security considerations and the possibility of protests against Mr Bush and his Iraq policy may cause it to be ruled out.
A more remote location in, say, the west of Ireland, would have logistical drawbacks.
Bad weather could make it difficult to use helicopters and there would also be problems accommodating the White House "road show", including the accompanying news media.
Dromoland Castle, in Co Clare, or Ashford Castle, in Co Mayo, have been mentioned as possible locations because of their proximity to Shannon Airport and their advantages in security terms.
President Bush visited Northern Ireland last April but this will be his first official visit to the Republic.
Issues likely to feature on the summit agenda include the Middle East peace process, Iraqi reconstruction, terrorism, EU-US trade relations and possibly the worldwide campaign against HIV-AIDS.
After attending the summit here President Bush will travel to Istanbul for a summit meeting of NATO on June 28th-29th. Mr Ahern will also attend the NATO summit as President of the European Council.
The Labour member of the European Parliament for Dublin, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, said Mr Bush was using his Irish visit to win votes in the US presidential election and that the summit should be transferred to Brussels.
He said the invitation to President Bush was "an affront" to the 100,000 Irish people who marched against the Iraq war.
There was opposition also from the Green Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr John Gormley, who claimed Mr Bush was "one of the most detested US presidents in history".
Mr Gormley said: "He and the other crazies that have taken over the White House must not be left in doubt that their neo-conservative doctrine is not acceptable to most Irish people and Europeans."
Anti-war activists say they will mount a "massive" protest. Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, of the Irish Anti-War Movement, said it was "absolutely certain" protests would be organised and he expected buses would bring people from all over Ireland to whatever part of the State Mr Bush visits.