Bush, Blair to meet in Northern Ireland next week

WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet in Northern Ireland early next week to discuss the peace process there, the war in Iraq, and the Middle East, US officials said Friday.

Bush will travel to Belfast on Monday and Tuesday but it was unclear when exactly the two allies would meet, said one official, who requested anonymity.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell will also go on the trip, which comes just before the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Accord, to be marked on April 10th, said another US official.

"Obviously, the focus will be Northern Ireland but they'll also be talking about the war and the Middle East. Blair is really keen to get the roadmap out," said that official, who also declined to be named.

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