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Ahern's hotel evacuated in blaze Ahern due to address US Congress
(about 2 hours later)
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has been allowed to return to his Washington hotel after it was evacuated because of a fire. Bertie Ahern is due to address a joint session of the US Congress in Washington, days before he steps down as Irish prime minister.
The invitation was issued to the Fianna Fáil leader in recognition of his work for the Northern Ireland peace process.
He joins an elite group of five international statesmen who have been invited to speak to both houses.
Mr Ahern will also meet US President George Bush. Earlier, the taoiseach's hotel was evacuated in a fire alert.
Mr Ahern was woken by the US Secret Service at about 0920 BST following a suspected blaze in a generator.Mr Ahern was woken by the US Secret Service at about 0920 BST following a suspected blaze in a generator.
Mr Ahern and his officials have returned to the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel after the fire was extinguished. The Irish prime minister and his officials later returned to the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel after the fire was extinguished.
The taoiseach is due to deliver an address to a joint meeting of the US Congress later on Wednesday. Mr Ahern said that during the alert, everybody walked down the stairs in an orderly fashion without any panic.
The invitation was issued in recognition of his work on the Northern Ireland peace process. He said there had been a strong smell of smoke in the roof of the hotel just above him. The whole party is believed to have been shaken by the experience.
Mr Ahern said that during Wednesday's alert, everybody walked down the stairs in an orderly fashion without any panic. 'Deeply honoured'
He said there had been a strong smell of smoke in the roof of the hotel just above him. The whole party is believed to be shaken by the experience.
Later, the taoiseach will become the sixth Irish leader to address a joint meeting of the US Congress. Afterwards, Mr Ahern will meet US President George Bush.
In advance of his visit, Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the taoiseach's leadership in the peace process.
Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May.Mr Ahern is due to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6 May.
He was the first Irish leader to address MPs at the Palace ofWestminster.
Accepting the invitation to Congress from Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives Nancy Pelosi in February, Mr Ahern said he had been deeplyhonoured.
Other Irish statesmen also invited to make the Congressaddress included John Bruton in 1996, Garret FitzGerald in 1984 and Liam Cosgrave in1976.
Presidents Eamon de Valera in 1964 and Sean T O'Ceallaigh in 1959 alsoaddressed the House.
The formal proceedings at Congress on Wednesday will be followed by a star-studded receptionat the Irish ambassador's residence.