25 February 1999 Edition
Sinn Fein Councillor welcomed in Colorado
Sinn Fein Dublin City Councillor Christy Burke recently completed a successful visit to Colorado in the United States. Denver was Councillor Burke's final stop on his eagerly anticipated Irish Northern Aid Committee West Coast Tour, and Colorado supporters of the Irish Republicanism were proud to witness the historic first ever visit of a Sinn Fein Representative to the state.
On the evening preceeding the event, Councillor Burke was warmly received by Colorado INA members and local Irish republican activists at a private reception held in his honour at The Druid's Arms in Louisville, Colorado.
On February 16th, Christy Burke delivered a speech to some fifty interested activists and parties at the University of Colorado.
The silence in the hall was complete as Councillor Burke spoke of those who have lost their lives in this long war. He insisted that in view of this, no one has the right to halt the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Councillor Burke stressed that all sides have suffered and now is the time to move ahead with the Agreement that was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Ireland.
He also explained that prior to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, all parties involved agreed that decommissioning before the deadline set forth would not become an issue. David Trimble he said is simply grasping for an opportunity to stall the talks and split the Republican Movement. Burke assured all that decommissioning would not occur prior to Sinn Fein taking their rightful seats in the Assembly.
Christy Burke also spoke in detail about the problems faced daily in his Dublin consitituency, particularly the lack of affordable housing and the problem of drug-dealing and drug addiction.
His speech was followed by an enthusiastic question and answer session, during which many thought provoking questions were presented and discussed. Councillor Burke ended the evening by encouraging all to do their part to insure a lasting peace in Ireland, and asking all sympathizers to voice their support of the peace process by writing to Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair to insist that the Good Friday Agreement move forward unhindered.
Colorado's strong support of Sinn Fein's role in thepeace process was unmistakable as Cristy Burke stepped down from the platform to heartfelt applause from all in attendance.
On the evening preceeding the event, Councillor Burke was warmly received by Colorado INA members and local Irish republican activists at a private reception held in his honour at The Druid's Arms in Louisville, Colorado.
On February 16th, Christy Burke delivered a speech to some fifty interested activists and parties at the University of Colorado.
The silence in the hall was complete as Councillor Burke spoke of those who have lost their lives in this long war. He insisted that in view of this, no one has the right to halt the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Councillor Burke stressed that all sides have suffered and now is the time to move ahead with the Agreement that was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Ireland.
He also explained that prior to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, all parties involved agreed that decommissioning before the deadline set forth would not become an issue. David Trimble he said is simply grasping for an opportunity to stall the talks and split the Republican Movement. Burke assured all that decommissioning would not occur prior to Sinn Fein taking their rightful seats in the Assembly.
Christy Burke also spoke in detail about the problems faced daily in his Dublin consitituency, particularly the lack of affordable housing and the problem of drug-dealing and drug addiction.
His speech was followed by an enthusiastic question and answer session, during which many thought provoking questions were presented and discussed. Councillor Burke ended the evening by encouraging all to do their part to insure a lasting peace in Ireland, and asking all sympathizers to voice their support of the peace process by writing to Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair to insist that the Good Friday Agreement move forward unhindered.
Colorado's strong support of Sinn Fein's role in thepeace process was unmistakable as Cristy Burke stepped down from the platform to heartfelt applause from all in attendance.