US Needs To Act As Parties Review St Andrews Agreement

international | public consultation / irish social forum | press release

Friday October 20, 2006 13:49

by rdooling@swbell.net - Irish American Unity Conference

rdooling at swbell dot net

The US needs to act on issues important to Ireland and Irish Americans while political parties in the North consider the St Andrews Agreement.

Washington, DC – October 19, 2006 - "Irish America welcomes
the attitude of the political Parties in Northern Ireland
regarding the proposed St Andrews Agreement. However,
the US, as a key party in the peace process, needs to
continue its effort at reconciliation in Ireland and the
United States ", said Dr. Robert Linnon, President of the
Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC).

Eight years after the signing of the historic Good Friday
Agreement (GFA) and two years after the suspension of the
Stormont devolved government, the major parties in Northern
Ireland (NI) have agreed to review the St Andrews
Agreement (SAA). The SAA puts forth a plan aimed at
getting the political institutions back up and running in
NI. The SAA was presented by the Irish and British
governments at the talks in St Andrews Scotland.

Dr. Linnon said: "The IAUC welcomes the moderation of the
implacable attitudes of all the leaders of political
parties, especially that of DUP's Ian Paisley. The IAUC
urges continued dialogue because it will lead to
understanding and the softening of intransigence.

"Much hard work is ahead for the all the political parties
and people of Ireland in order to achieve restoration of
the political institutions and the all-Ireland bodies.

"We urge the US Government to act in concert with the
Irish and British to help facilitate a transition to
democracy in Ireland and the resolutions of issues
important to the Irish and American people. These include:

:: Engagement by the US government to push for the full and
immediate implementation of all the recommendations of the
Patten Commission

:: Support by the US government for a totally unrestricted
public hearing into the murder of Patrick Finucane and
others as called for by Judge Peter Cory.

:: Access to the United States by ALL political parties
from Ireland and the granting of permission for all of them
to legally raise funds in the United States.”

Dr Linnon concluded by saying: "The addressing of the above
issues will facilitate efforts to heal the wounds caused by
the conflicts of the past and provide a brighter outlook
for peace and justice for both the Irish and Irish Americans."
# # #

Contact: Deanna Turner

Irish American Unity Conference
National Office
611 Pennsylvania Ave, SE #4150
Washington, D.C. 20003
800-947-4282

http://www.iauc.org
Email: iauc@iauc.org

National Press Officer: Jay Dooling
Email: rdooling@swbell.net

"Working for Justice and Peace in a Re-united Ireland"
The IRISH AMERICAN UNITY CONFERENCE is a nationwide,
nonpartisan, nonsectarian, chapter-based human rights
organization working for justice and peace in Ireland. We
are a wholly American 501(c)(4) organization that advocates
the end of British colonial occupation and the peaceful
reunification of Ireland. We endeavor to achieve these
goals by working through the American democratic process.
Individually, our members represent every occupational and
educational stratum in the United States.