AN influential cross-party USA congressional delegation has expressed strong support for Sinn Fein involvement in inclusive talks following an IRA ceasefire.
While the congressional visit to Northern Ireland was taking place yesterday in the wake of the murder of a British soldier in Bessbrook the Congress members were unanimous in urging the admission of Sinn Fein to all-party talks.
The eight-member delegation - led by Mr Ben Gilman, the high-ranking Republican chairman of the House of Representatives International Relations Committee met senior Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP, loyalist and Sinn Fein representatives in Dunadry outside Belfast yesterday.
Their final meeting yesterday evening was with Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams and party vice president Mr Pat Doherty. Afterwards they invited Mr Adams and Mr Doherty to join them for a press conference at the Dunadry Inn.
Mr Gilman, notwithstanding criticism of Sinn Fein following the Bessbrook murder, said that it was important that all parties should be involved in inclusive talks. Standing beside Mr Adams, he said he accepted the Sinn Fein president's bona fides as a political leader, and added he would support the renewal of his visa to the US.
"It is extremely important that all parties be seated at the table off peace talks, and we certainly do accept Mr Adams as a bona fide political representative. Fifteen per cent of the population in the last vote supported Sinn Fein. I think it is a credible party and should be part of the peace talks," said Mr Gilman.
Asked had the British Prime Minister made an error in not inviting Sinn Fein to inclusive talks Mr Gilman added: "I would hope eventually that these talks will be all-inclusive, and include all parties that are representative of the people of Ireland."
Despite the reported opposition of Admiral William Crowe, the US ambassador to London, to his delegation meeting Mr Adams, the Congressman defended their right to do so, and stressed the independent nature of the delegation.
Mr Gilman said the delegation had invited all the politicians they met yesterday - which included the SDLP leader Mr John Hume, Mr Ken Maginnis of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr Joe English of the Ulster Democratic Party and Mr Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist Party - to meet them again in the US.
Republican Congressman Mr Peter King from New York said that in order to facilitate a renewed IRA ceasefire the British government must declare its commitment to all-party talks involving Sinn Fein.
The only direct unsolicited reference to the killing of Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was made by Democratic Congressman, Mr James Patrick Moran, who said he agreed with the White House's condemnation of the killing of the soldier.
The delegation is meeting the President, Mrs Robinson, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern and other political representatives in Dublin today.
