[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I commend my colleague, Senator Leahy, 
for his continuing concern and effective leadership on the important 
issue of United States policy toward Northern Ireland. In recent 
months, we have seen dramatic and positive developments there. All 
friends of Ireland are hopeful that the auspicious peace process 
currently under way will finally end the tragic conflict in Northern 
Ireland that has claimed more than 3,000 lives over the past 25 years.
  Many people deserve credit for the developments that led to the most 
hopeful breakthrough in many years--the August 31 announcement by the 
Irish Republican Army of a complete cease-fire. No one deserves more 
credit than John Hume, the leader of the Social and Democratic Labour 
Party in Northern Ireland. I first came to know John in the 1970's when 
he visited the United States to urge Irish Americans to stop supporting 
the violence and to start supporting his courageous leadership in the 
cause of nonviolence and peaceful change. In the past year, his long 
and tireless efforts for peace have finally begun to bear fruit, 
especially his initiative last year with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams 
that helped lead to the recent IRA cease-fire.
  Last December, Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds and British Prime 
Minister John Major issued a landmark Joint Declaration which outlined 
a realistic path for peace. Both leaders deserve credit for recognizing 
this unique opportunity and for putting Northern Ireland high in their 
priorities.
  President Clinton has also played an important role in the peace 
process. Last January, he granted Gerry Adams his first visa to visit 
the United States. That visit was a key step in leading the IRA to 
declare a cease-fire. His visit then, his new visit to this country in 
recent days, and the continued involvement of the Clinton 
administration have been of central importance in moving the peace 
process forward.
  For years, all of us who oppose the violence in Northern Ireland have 
called on both sides to lay down their arms and seek to achieve their 
legitimate aspirations through the democratic process. Now that the IRA 
has agreed to do that, Sinn Fein should be encouraged, not isolated. In 
fact, as we now know, the British Government had been talking secretly 
with the IRA long before Gerry Adams received his visa to visit the 
United States. It is gratifying that the peace process is now so 
clearly in the open, and all of us are optimistic that the current 
progress will continue.
  Credit for these developments also goes to a delegation of Irish 
Americans--Niall O'Dowd, Bill Flynn, Bruce Morrison and Chuck Feeney--
who have actively contributed in recent months to bringing about the 
August 31 cease-fire.
  Much remains to be done. Most important, the Protestant paramilitary 
organizations should halt their violence immediately, and all sides 
should come together at the peace table. My hope is that all sides will 
be able to build on the recent momentum and reach a lasting settlement 
soon. I am confident that the United States will do its part to 
facilitate that settlement in any way possible, and I look forward to 
working with Congress and the administration to provide whatever 
assistance we can.

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