Republican News · Thursday 17 October 2002

Members of Congress back Agreement

A number of US Members of Congress have spoken out expressing concern at this latest turn in the pace process. New Jersey Democrat Congressman Donald Payne said he was "deeply disturbed that an unfortunate series of events over the past few weeks has put the Irish peace process at risk. In order to retain the momentum of the peace process, I believe it essential that the British government observe the terms and conditions of the Good Friday Agreement. Along with other friends of Ireland and supporters of the peace process, I call upon the British Government to end their practice of maintaining the Unionist veto over the affairs of the Six Counties.

"As the first member of Congress in U.S. history to witness an Orange Order Parade, I have observed first-hand the harassment of Catholics in their own neighborhoods in Northern Ireland. During one of my four visits to Northern Ireland, I had the opportunity to stand with President Clinton in the border town of Dundalk as he expressed the commitment of the United States to protect and build on the progress that has been made. Over the past four years, the Good Friday Agreement has done much to reduce violence and tension associated with the social and political situation in Northern Ireland. The process has seen its ups and down, witnessed by three previous occasions when the Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended. I applaud the tenacity of Sinn Féin in remaining committed to the peace process despite enormous challenges.

I urge the parties to the Good Friday Agreement to continue working towards the goals and ideals contained in the agreement. As a member of the House International Relations Committee in the US Congress, I stand ready to be of assistance in any way possible in ensuring that the British and Irish governments honour the Good Friday Agreement and move the peace process forward."

New York Republican Congressman Peter King also expressed his deep concern and urged all of the parties to the Agreement to "use all resources at their disposal to end this impasse and fully implement the Agreement's provisions.

"We cannot allow David Trimble to undermine a process that has been approved by the overwhelming majority of the people of both the North and South of Ireland."

New Jersey Democrat Congressman Frank Pallone Jr described the PSNI raid on Sinn Féin's Stormont offices as "unprofessional and haphazard" raid that "appears to be politically motivated - with those involved hoping to unravel the power-sharing government established under the Good Friday Agreement...

"It is quite obvious to me that the only way a lasting peace can occur in Northern Ireland is by protecting the power sharing institutions and fully implementing the Patten Commission's recommendations... Northern Ireland is in dire need of a police service that is more representative of the community and is responsive to the needs of all the citizens of Northern Ireland."

New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith said that although "prospects for a just and lasting peace is again in crisis in Northern Ireland - as in the past, the only way forward is through a steadfast commitment to the Good Friday Agreement - as it was originally adopted: unamended and fully implemented...

"I respectfully urge the British government to resist the knee-jerk proposal of suspension and stand in firm support of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Executive, the North-South Ministerial Councils and the Patten Commission's Policing Reforms. The parties have put their names on the dotted line and it is up to the British government to secure full, fair, and timely implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Peace depends upon it."