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8 October 1998 Edition

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SF rep welcomed to US

Rita O'Hare, the new Sinn Fein representative to the United States, received a warm welcome at a reception held for her in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC last Thursday.

Among the over 160 people in attendance were Senators Ted Kennedy and Jack Reed, and Congressmen Ben Gilman, Chair of the International Relations Committee, Richard Neal, Tom Manton, Bill Pascrell, Mike McNulty, Maurice Hinchey, and Denis Kucinich. Key staff people from a number of other Congressional offices, Bruce Morrison, Chairman of the Federal Finance Housing Board, a long time supporter of peace in the north of Ireland, and a number of local activists also attended.

In his address to the guests Congressman Ben Gilman, a long time proponent for peace and human rights in the north of Ireland, wished Mairead Keane (Rita O'Hare's predecessor) the best of luck in her new role as International Relations Director for Sinn Fein. He also expressed continued support for policing reform and called for an end to the stalling of the peace process. He said, ``As Chairman of the International Relations Committee, I have already announced that one of the first hearings we will hold early next year is on the RUC. We will evaluate the progress of the Independent Policing Commission, and we will help explore ways to ensure an acceptable policing mechanism in the north''. He went on to say that ``it's time to end the unionist games of using the old canard of decommissioning as a political football to hold onto the status quo.''

Speaking at the event, Rita O'Hare paid tribute to Mairead Keane for breaking new ground for Sinn Fein, and pledged to carry on the task of ensuring Sinn Fein's analysis was heard in America. Commenting on the current impasse in the peace process she said, ``What we cannot do, any of us, is go back. Go back on commitments, renege on promises, for that erodes the democratic ground of the Agreement. The role of America, of Irish America and of the Administration continues to be vital. The appreciation and acknowledgment of America's positive involvement in the search for peace and justice in Ireland was demonstrated, all over Ireland, during President Clinton's recent visit. America's involvement brought a concentration and an urgency for a resolution into a situation that some had dismissed as intractable. It reinforced the Irish dimension necessary to a way out of conflict and brought an evenhandedness into the process that brought the real cause of the conflict into the spotlight of international opinion. We need that involvement to continue''.

Congressmen Manton, Neal, Pascrell, and Hinchey all spoke at the event, wishing Mairead the best of luck, and thanking her for representing Sinn Fein so well. They too, were looking forward to working with Rita and pledged to continue their efforts towards a resolution to the conflict in Ireland.

 

Itinerary of Gerry Adams visit to US



Monday 12 October - Pittsburgh, PA
12:30pm Duquesne Club
3.30pm Duquesne University
5.30pm Dinner with community leaders
7:30pm David L Lawrence Convention Center Community Event
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
Pittsburgh contact: (412) 434-8460

Tuesday 13 October - Albany, NY
5:30pm Press conference Omni Hotel
6.00pm Omni Hotel Community Event
8:00pm Polish American Citizen Center
Live music
Albany Contact: (518) 453-9222

Wednesday 14 October - Manhattan, NY
6pm Plaza Hotel
New York City contact: (212) 587-3300

Thursday 15 October - Fairfield, CT
8pm Fairfield University - SOLD OUT
For waiting list: 1-203-254-4190
9pm Community Event at the Gaelic Club - SOLD OUT

Friday 16 October - Philadelphia, PA
11.30am World Affairs Council Hallmark Series
Union League, 140 Sth Broad St
Contact: (215) 721-1100
1:30pm The Plough and the Stars
2nd and Chestnut Streets
Contact: (215) 386-4600
5:00pm Town House Restaurant
Contact: (215) 386-4600
8:00pm Irish Center Community Event
Doors open at 6:30pm
Contact: (215) 742-4632 / (215) 634-5936

Saturday 17 October - Manhattan, NY
7:00pm SHARP Celebrate Gerry Adams's 50th Birthday
Webster Hall
11th Street and 3rd Avenue
Live music including a special performance by Maura O'Connell and others
21 and over
Contact: (212) 587-3300

Sunday 18 October - Boston, MA
10.30am Park Plaza Hotel
Contact: 1-877-368-2637
2-4pm Hibernian Hall Community Event
Contact: 1-978-687-8937
7pm sharp Florian Hall Community Event
Contact: 1-781-331-5188


An Phoblacht
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Dublin 1
Ireland