The President, Mrs McAleese, arrives in Washington today for the start of a six-day visit to the US. The trip will include a courtesy call on President Clinton at the White House tomorrow, writes Joe Carroll.
As it is not a State visit, there will be no formal welcome for Mrs McAleese or official functions at the White House. But the fact that President Clinton has made time to meet Mrs McAleese is an indication of the importance he attaches to US-Irish relations.
Mrs McAleese will fly into Andrews Air Force base outside Washington in the Government jet accompanied by her husband, Dr Martin McAleese, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, and Mrs Andrews.