The confirmation by the US Senate of Dr Richard Haass as the administration's "point man" on the Northern Ireland peace process is likely to be trouble free following a smooth hearing on Wednesday in the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.
The nomination of Dr Haass, who will be ranked as an ambassador and will also be responsible for policy planning in the State Department and possibly other special envoy roles, was approved yesterday by the committee. The committee's recommendation is nearly always accepted by the full Senate.
Responding to written questions from senators, Dr Haass confirmed that the listing of the "Real IRA" as a terrorist organisation was being pursued by the State Department. Sources say this piece of unfinished business from the Clinton era, which will severely affect the organisation's fund-raising potential, is likely to be completed in a couple of weeks.
Dr Haass said his nomination as an ambassador "signals the importance the US government assigns to promoting peace in Northern Ireland". Using similar words to President Bush on St Patrick's Day, he said the administration would be willing to get involved if called upon.
Dr Haass served previously in senior positions in the State Department and in the National Security Council under Presidents Reagan and Bush snr. He has spent the last few years working as a commentator and academic. During that time he wrote several books, one of which, The Reluctant Sheriff, prompted questions yesterday from the hearing's chairman, Senator Chuck Hagel.
Dr Haass said the idea of the "reluctant sheriff", borrowed from 19th century lawless America, was that in a postCold War, globalising world with weak international institutions such as the UN, the US should adopt a leadership role in facing up to global challenges. That meant "overcoming our reluctance to lead", he said, in the face of a certain reluctance to engage in foreign policy. "We have to make clear why foreign policy matters," he added.
