Sinn Fein Week in Review 4/23 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit SINN FEIN CAPITOL HILL WASHINGTON, DC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 1999 CONTACT: Rita O'Hare (202) 547-8883 Week in Review April 17-23, 1999 Speaking on RTE, on the 18th, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that he has "no confidence all that the British government is going to trigger d'Hondt and I think this is a huge mistake. I believe that the Good Friday Agreement is in free fall. Both governments when they put forward the working paper (Hillsborough Declaration), the draft proposals, they moved off the Good Friday Agreement and even though since then they have told us they have backed off that, they have not moved back onto the Agreement again. If the governments, who are caught on this Unionist preconditional position - that the IRA have to do something on decommissioning before the Good Friday Agreement can be implemented - if that persists, then the Good Friday Agreement is dead. The reality is that the Agreement has been broken, the reality is that the political institutions which should have been in place almost a year ago, are not in position." The previous day, Sinn Fein Mid-Ulster MP, Martin McGuinness accused Reg Empy and the Ulster Unionists leadership of living in denial over what was agreed on or about decommissioning in the Good Friday Agreement. Mr. McGuinness said: "I challenge Reg Empy to display the same degree of honesty as his colleague, Jeffery Donaldson. Mr. Donaldson on numerous occasions since Good Friday, a year ago, has admitted that he walked out of negotiations because the Ulster Unionists lost the decision on the decommissioning issue. Reg Empy and his Ulster Unionist colleagues should stop living in denial and live up to their obligations and to the commitments which they gave when they accepted the Good Friday Agreement." Martin McGuinness wrote a story for the Irish News on the 18th, in which he described the current state of the peace process. He wrote: "The obligations on all parties to the Agreement is to the achievement of an objective over which none of us have any direct control; to an objective which can only be acomplished by the voluntary actions of those in possession of arms. Hence the obligation on all of the parties to use any influence they may have in that context." It was a very busy week on Capitol Hill, with the passage of two important resolutions in the House, and an outstanding show of support for a new policing service in the north of Ireland. A resolution, introduced by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), which recognizes the one year anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and encourages all parties to move forward to secure a lasting peace was passed by the full House on Tuesday. Sinn Fein Representative Rita O'Hare said upon hearing the news, "Congressman Crowley should be commended for his work put into getting this resolution passed with such overwhelming support. American support and involvement in the peace process helped all parties arrive at the Good Friday Agreement. This resolution is a continuation of American support for the peace process and points to the need for full implementation of the Agreement as written." Speaking for the resolution, Congressman Crowley said that the passage of this resolution emphasizes the need for all parties involved, including the two governments, to remain committed to the letter of the Good Friday Agreement, and not to be tempted by fudging difficult issues over in order to appease certain parties. All of the Congressmen present reiterated the point that an overwhelming majority of the people of the island of Ireland voted for the Good Friday Agreement as written, and that is what the two governments and the parties should work to deliver. A resolution authored by Congressman Chris Smith also passed on Tuesday. The resolution calls for an independent inquiry into the murders of civil rights lawyers Patrick Finucane and Rosemary Nelson. Its passage is a reassuring sign that the calls for justice being made around the world are being heard and acted upon somewhere. To date, calls for an independent inquiry from the United Nations, Amnesty International, The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, British Irish Human Rights Watch, the Committee for Administrative Justice, Human Rights Watch and countless other organizations have fallen on deaf ears in the British government. Upon hearing the news, Sinn Fein Spokesperson Rita O'Hare said "Sinn Fein welcomes the passage of this resolution and commends Congressman Chris Smith for his hard work, and the rest of the House for their overwhelming support for this resolution. It is hugely important, particularly at this time of crisis in the Peace Process that there is a strong demonstration of support for justice and truth in the north of Ireland. The importance of a demonstratively democratic channel through which the fears and concerns of nationalists can be heard was never more needed than at this time." House Resolution 128, "condemning the murder of human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson and calling for the protection of defense attorneys in Northern Ireland" went before the full House and passed with a vote of 421 - 2. The resolution is strongly worded, and spells out clearly what actions need to be taken in order to engender the faith of the nationalist population. It calls on the UK government to launch an inquiry, "totally independent of the RUC" into the murder of Rosemary Nelson, to institute in "independent judicial inquiry into allegations that defense attorneys are systematically harassed and intimidated by security forces" and to implement the "UN special Rapporteur's recommendation for and independent inquiry into the possibility of collusion in the killing of defense attorney Patrick Finucane." Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Sub-Committee on International Operations and Human Rights, recalled the testimony Rosemary Nelson gave to his subcommittee and told the House that, "We need to make the United Kingdom government take seriously the calls of the United States, the United Nations, Amnesty International and countless other organizations for an independent inquiry." Congressman Peter King (R-NY) spoke to the need of this faith, saying, "If the Good Friday Agreement is to work, there needs to be faith on all sides. Allowing the RUC to investigate this murder tramples the faith of nationalists." Congressman Donald Payne likened Rosemary Nelson's life to that of American civil rights advocate, Rosa Parks, saying that both women stared adversity in the face and kept on working for the civil rights of all, despite the threats and harassment they received. The House International Relations Committee held hearings this week on the need for a new policing service in the north of Ireland. The Chairman of the committee, Congressman Benjamin Gilman, was the first to speak at the hearings setting the tone for the rest of the day. "Let there be no mistake, new and acceptable policing for the north of Ireland must come, sooner rather than later. It must be root and branch, not that which is politically acceptable to the ruling unionist majority." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) was quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he explained the reasons why he felt the hearings of the day were so important. Diane Hamill (sister of Robert Hamill), Fr. Sean McManus, Rt. Reverend Monsignor Raymond Murray, Mrs. Tony Carragher (South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee), Professor John McGarry (University of Western Ontario), Ms. Maggie Bierne (CAJ), Ms. Jane Winter (British Irish Rights Watch), Ms. Hayla Gowan (Amnesty International), and Ms. Julia Hall (Human Rights Watch) all testified to two full galleries and the committee about all of the reasons why if peace is to come to the north of Ireland, there needs to be a new policing service in the north of Ireland. Speaking from Capitol Hill, Sinn Fein Representative Rita O'Hare said, "These hearings and the recent UN reports on the RUC have enforced the view in America of the need for a totally new policing service. They highlight in the most effective way the true nature of the RUC." Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) said: "There have now been three hearings on Human Rights in the north of Ireland. There is one reoccurring theme, one inescapable conclusion- the RUC is at the core of human rights abuses in the north of Ireland." "The US Congress will not rest until the RUC is investigated and overhauled," said Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), while Congressmen Donald Payne (D-NJ) and William Delahunt (D-MA) called for the "complete disbandment" of the RUC. Paul Nelson's statement demanding a fully independent international investigation and independent international judicial inquiry into the assassination of his wife, Lurgan solicitor Rosemary Nelson, was today placed in the official record of the United States Congress House Committee on International Affairs. Dr. Robbie McVeigh, spokesperson for the Rosemary Nelson Campaign, was welcomed by Chairperson Gilman (R-NY) who along with his colleagues paid tribute to Rosemary Nelson's courage and dedication to protecting all her clients irrespective of political or religious belief, from human rights abuses. Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairperson of the House Committee on International Operation and Human Rights noted Rosemary's testimony before the committee in September 1998 in which she spoke of the death threats and harassment she received from the RUC and of the complete impossibility of her seeking police protection in that environment. Dr. McVeigh, said: "It was inspiring to see Rosemary's case so central to discussions on human rights in the north of Ireland. There was unanimity across Congress with both Republicans and Democrats committing themselves to supporting the campaign for justice for Rosemary Nelson. International pressure like this will ensure that the campaign demands for an independent international investigation and inquiry into the circumstance surrounding Rosemary Nelson's murder are released." Congressman Donald Payne called Rosemary Nelson "our hero.who stood up for freedom and for right and for justice." Congressman Peter King (R-NY) said that the hearings were not dealing with Irish issues or partisan issues, but "human issues." Diane Hamill gave chilling testimony about the circumstances of her brother's death. She told the committee that as a gang of loyalists kicked her brother to death, an RUC patrol car was not twenty yards away from the scene. The RUC did nothing, and did not even bother to fill out a report about the incident when they returned to the station. Congressman King asked Ms. Hamill if David Trimble (the families elected representative) ever contacted the family regarding Robert. Ms. Hamill replied, "No. I wrote two times. He replied to the second letter with three lines." Ms. Hamill said: "I am a Catholic from Portadown. Mr. Trimble does not recognize my being." Upon hearing of the lack of response Mr. Hamill and her family received from Mr. Trimble, Congressman Chris Smith proclaimed that the committee would write a letter to David Trimble. This was met with an outburst of cheer and applause from an over-capacity audience. Ms. Toni Carragher, Secretary of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee, outlined a series of incidents where evidence of RUC collusion with Loyalist killers is emerging. She said, "Evidence from a former member of the RUC would indicate that a group existed within the RUC which targeted and killed nationalists. It is our belief that at least eight murders were carried out by this group in South Armagh. This report includes several case histories outlining examples of murder, harassment, intimidation and assault by the RUC. These alone, we believe, would warrant an inquiry into the RUC." Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) told those in attendance that he believed that the testimony he heard was part of a "systematic, institutional" problem the RUC has, not isolated incidents. Sinn Fein spokesperson on Policing, Bairbre de Brun, said: "The long queues of people waiting to attend the hearings and the passionate contributions from the members of the US Congress show the importance with which this issue is now regarded. She continued: "Today's many contributions from Diane Hamil, Dr. Robbie McVeigh of the Rosemary Nelson Campaign and a host of other human rights activists highlighted the litany of abuses by the RUC over a long period of if time. The RUC have lost all credibility not only in Ireland, but internationally." Congressman Gilman closed the hearings, saying, "It is self evident that the RUC must be replaced by a new police service and it is necessary to start all over with this discredited police service. "It is my sincere hope that we do not merely see from the Patten Commission minimalist and symbolic reforms that seek to appease the dominant unionist establishment in the north, while leaving this institution in tack we know it today." (Note to Ed: Congressmen in attendance: Donald Payne (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Peter King (R-NY), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Earl Hilliard (D-AL), Meeks (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Tom Campbell (R-CA), Richard Neal (D-MA), William Delahunt (D-MA), James Walsh (R-NY), Sam Gejdenson (D-CT).) The week did not go by without a continuation of loyalist attacks and harassment. Dunmurry and Carlise Circus were covered with sectarian graffiti and slogans this week. Sinn Fein Assembly member for North Belfast Gerry Kelly said of the graffiti: "These loyalist slogans are sick and clearly intended to heighten sectarian tension in the North Belfast area. Rosemary Nelson's killing has provoked a sense of outrage across the world. It is disappointing that loyalists in North Belfast feel that they have to glorify this brutal killing." Sinn Fein Assembly member for West Belfast, Sue Ramsey said: "This graffiti cannot be seen in isolation from the ongoing campaign of intimidation and attempted murder by loyalist death squads. All the loyalist acticity in the last year has been aimed at lowering nationalist expectations in relation to the Good Friday Agreement. By intimidating, harassing and attempting to kill Catholics, these elements are trying to frighten nationalists away from the changes which are contained in the Agreement." For a compilation of loyalist attacks over the past year, e-mail the office, and a copy will be sent to you. -30- Paid for by the Friends of Sinn Fein, Inc. This organization is registered with the Department of Justice, Washington DC under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as an agent of Sinn Fein. This material and the registration statement are on file and available for inspection at the Department of Justice. Registration does not imply approval by the US government. 510 C Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Tel: (202) 547-8883 Fax: (202) 547-7889 email: sfwdc@sinnfeinusa.com ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-04.25.99-12:55:01-19636