Clinton's apology for calling Ulster people 'drunks'

PRESIDENT BILL Clinton was forced to apologise last night after he compared the people of Ulster to "a couple of drunks" in remarks on the slowness of the Northern Ireland peace process.

PRESIDENT BILL Clinton was forced to apologise last night after he compared the people of Ulster to "a couple of drunks" in remarks on the slowness of the Northern Ireland peace process.

He made the comparison in a speech in Ottawa, Canada as he explained his frustration at the stagnation of the peace talks.

His remark was seized on by leaders of Ulster's political factions. He said: "I spend an enormous amount of time trying to help the people in the land of my forebears in Northern Ireland get over 600 years of religious fights."And every time they do it they are like a couple of drunks walking out of a bar for the last time.

"When they reach the swing doors they turn right around and go back in and say 'I just can't quite get there'." Later the White House said Mr Clinton meant no offence."

He later backtracked and said: "Earlier today, in a discussion of the Irish peace process, I used a metaphor that was inappropriate. I want to express my regret for any offence my remark caused."

The Rev Ian Paisley, famous for abstaining from alcohol, said: "This is a highly offensive and insulting remark to the people of Northern Ireland."

A spokesman for the province's largest nationalist party, the SDLP, said: "I think it was obviously an off-the-cuff remark. He has invested an awful lot of time in trying to help. He is entitled to feel some frustration that we have been unable to tie up (the loose ends remaining)."

Raymond Flynn, former US ambassador to the Vatican and Boston mayor, said: "Everyone should be more careful and sensitive before stereotyping people on the basis of religion, race and ethnic heritage - that includes the President of the United States."

Meanwhile, the Unionist Party meets today for a conference that could be a key moment for the leadership of David Trimble and the fate of the entire Northern Ireland peace process.

Within weeks it should become clear whether the party believes it can take the leap of agreeing to form a cabinet that will include Sinn Fein or whether it will decline to do so, on the basis that not enough is on offer concerning arms de-commissioning, and so call into question the viability of the Good Friday Agreement.