US envoy to stay in post

Richard Haass (right) is considering new role

President Bush's envoy to Northern Ireland has said he intends to remain in his job formulating US policy on Northern Ireland "for the foreseeable future".

The comments from Ambassador Richard Haass followed speculation he may be about to leave his key role in formulating the US State Department's policy towards Northern Ireland.

The Washington Post newspaper said the diplomat has been offered the presidency of an influential New York think tank - the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ambassador Haass would not comment on a job offer he is understood to be considering.

Martin McGuiness: Meeting Ambassador Haass

Sources at the council have confirmed they have offered Ambassador Haass their presidency.

A spokeswoman for the US State Department said the envoy would be visiting Northern Ireland next week, remained engaged in the process and would not be announcing his resignation.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness will meet Mr Haass in Washington later on Wednesday.

Ambassador Haass was appointed envoy in March 2001.

He thanked the people of Northern Ireland for the sympathy they expressed in the aftermath of the terror attacks on America.

He has continually stressed the importance of economic progress in underpinning the peace process.

In January last year, he said he was worried the Ulster Unionist Party's threat to pull out of the power-sharing executive would undermine the Agreement.

He was also critical of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams' trip to Cuba and said evidence of links between the IRA and rebels in Colombia would have "extremely serious consequences".

In the past, Mr Haass has urged Sinn Fein to join the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

He said the party's support would help create the conditions necessary for normalisation of security.

Last week, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said the "IRA juggernaut" had been halted.

In a keynote address on Friday, he also challenged the DUP over its claims of renegotiation of the Agreement.

He said the party was incapable of working constructively and "fluffed it" when it had its chance to negotiate.

'Confidence'

Northern Ireland's devolved institutions were suspended on 14 October 2002 following a row over allegations of IRA activity, including alleged spying within the Northern Ireland Office.

Mr Trimble said unionists had every reason to feel they were "on the front foot" and could look to the future with confidence.

He said he believed the UUP would have a successful assembly election and would be vindicated.

Also on Friday, Mr Adams said the government was not moving quickly enough on the outstanding issues in the peace process.

Mr Adams said he was impatient with the pace of politics in terms of changes to policing and demilitarisation.

Further round-table talks are to be held in Belfast on Thursday although there is a question mark over whether the Ulster Unionists will attend.

It follows talks between the British and Irish governments in London last week.