Southern Political News in Brief

Adams to meet Taoiseach

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will lead a party delegation to meet An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Government Buildings, Dublin, on Friday 23 September.

Speaking prior to the meeting, Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness said: "The IRA initiative has liberated the Peace Process, but if progress is to be made it is crucial that momentum is increased.

"Sinn Féin is committed to playing our part and working with the Irish and British Governments but there is a big responsibility on them to ensure that the DUP and rejectionist unionists aren't allowed to dictate the pace."

'Colombia 3' extradition request

Colombia has requested the extradition of the Colombia 3, Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly. This follows the recent trip to Colombia by the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson. He lobbied Vice President Francisco Santos, other political figures and security chiefs, and made a high-profile public request for the extradition of the three men from Ireland.

While initially acquitted of training FARC guerrillas, the Colombia 3 were subsequently convicted by a secret tribunal under a very dubious legal process. Colombia has been cited by several human rights organisations as a human rights abuser. Legally there is no basis for extradition of the men.