Republican News · Thursday 31 January 2002

US Congressional Reps: Elections must be held as scheduled

A group of US Congressional Representatives, representing the Friends of Ireland and the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, have put their names to a public statement calling on the British government and the Ulster Unionists to engage with Gerry Adams on the basis of his statement last Sunday and for the elections to go ahead as planned on 29 May. The statement reads as follows:

"At this critical time in the peace process, we strongly believe that the Assembly elections in Northern Ireland must be held as scheduled on 29 May.

"These elections would continue the momentum established by the Good Friday Agreement, and would advance the democratic process while enhancing the opportunity to bring about the resolution of issues in dispute at that time.

"We also commend Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin for his 27 April statement. This statement is a significant step toward clarifying legitimate remaining questions. We call upon the British government and especially the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party to engage with Mr Adams on the basis of his statement at the earliest date.

"As members of the US House of Representatives, we oppose any efforts to hinder the democratic process. We believe that any delay in the elections would do great harm to the progress that has been made thus far."

The letter was signed by Congressman James T Walsh, Chair Friends of Ireland (Republican -New York); Congressman Richard Neal, Co-chair Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs (Democrat - Massachussetts); Congressman Peter King, Co-chair Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs (Republican - New York); Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-chair Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs (Democrat - New York); Congressman John Sweeney, Co-chair Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs (Republican - New York); Congressman Frank Pallone (Democrat - New Jersey); Congressman Donald Payne (Democrat - New Jersey); Congressman Chris Smith (Republican - New Jersey); Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (Democrat - New York); and Congressman Tim Holden (Democrat - Pennsylvania).