[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2097-S2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE FRIENDS OF IRELAND IN THE 
                              U.S. SENATE

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, The Friends of Ireland is a bipartisan 
group of Senators and Representatives opposed to violence and terrorism 
in Northern Ireland and dedicated to maintaining a United States policy 
that promotes a just, lasting, and peaceful settlement of the conflict. 
The latest developments for peace and the need for an immediate 
restoration of the IRA cease-fire make this year's St. Patrick's Day a 
particularly critical time in the peace process.
  I believe all our colleagues will find this year's statement by the 
Senate Executive Committee of the Friends of Ireland of interest, and I 
ask unanimous consent that it be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


 Statement by the Executive Committee of the Friends of Ireland in the 
             United States Senate, St. Patrick's Day, 1996

       On this St. Patrick's Day, the Executive Committee of the 
     Friends of Ireland in the United States Senate join the 
     people of Ireland, North and South, in welcoming the latest 
     developments for peace and in demanding an immediate 
     restoration of the IRA cease-fire.
       We welcome the Joint Communique issued on February 28 by 
     Irish Taoiseach John Bruton and British Prime Minister John 
     Major proposing steps to renew the peace process for Northern 
     Ireland and pledging to begin all-party negotiations on June 
     10.
       Friends of Ireland everywhere were outraged by the end of 
     the IRA cease-fire last month and by the subsequent bombings 
     in populated London which took the lives of three people and 
     injured many others. Our hearts go out to the victims and the 
     families of those killed and injured in these terrorist 
     attacks. We condemn unequivocally the IRA violence, and we 
     call for an immediate restoration of the cease-fire. We 
     commend the Loyalist paramilitaries for maintaining their 
     cease-fire in spite of the IRA's resumption of violence.
       We are greatly encouraged that the political leaders of 
     Ireland and Great Britain have recommitted themselves to 
     achieving a lasting peace. They clearly have a mandate from 
     the vast majority of the people of Ireland--North and South, 
     Protestant and Catholic alike--who recently turned out in 
     large numbers to condemn the recent violence and demand a 
     return to peace.
       Many of the Friends of Ireland had the opportunity, during 
     the recent visit to Northern Ireland by President Clinton, to 
     see at first hand the determination of people of all 
     traditions to seize the opportunity for peace. This was 
     reaffirmed by the recent rallies in which people turned out 
     in large numbers across Ireland to condemn the recent 
     violence and demand a return to peace. As preparations are 
     made for the commencement of all-party negotiations on June 
     10, there is an obligation on all parties to ensure that this 
     widespread commitment to peace is turned into a reality for 
     all the people of the island.
       Friends of Ireland who accompanied the President on his 
     trip also had the opportunity to observe the excellent work 
     of the International Fund for Ireland, which continues to 
     create jobs and promote understanding in both communities.
       In 1994, at the strong urging of responsible leaders in 
     Northern Ireland and Ireland, many of the Friends of Ireland 
     wrote to President Clinton to suggest an encouraging gesture 
     be made towards Gerry Adams, by giving him a limited visa to 
     visit this country, in hopes that it might bring dialogue and 
     an end to violence. John Hume later called the visa, 
     ``crucial'' to achieving the subsequent cease-fire. We 
     believe that the participation of Sinn Fein in all-party 
     negotiations is vital for the success of the peace process, 
     but Sinn Fein cannot take its place at the peace table 
     without the restoration of the cease-fire.
       In an effort to move beyond the pre-condition that weapons 
     be handed over prior to all-party negotiations, an 
     international commission led by former Senator George 
     Mitchell was established by the British and Irish Governments 
     to assess the issue and make recommendations to overcome the 
     impasse. We commend Senator Mitchell and the other members of 
     the commission for the outstanding job they have done. The 
     commission found that turning in weapons in advance of talks 
     would not occur and suggested constructive alternative ways 
     forward.
       When the Irish and British Governments launched the 
     Mitchell Commission last November, they had agreed to ``the 
     firm aim'' of achieving all-party negotiations by the end of 
     February. Unfortunately, that target date was missed, due to 
     the introduction of a new pre-condition by Prime Minister 
     Major that elections must occur before talks can take place. 
     The insistence by the British Government that elections 
     precede all-party negotiations created unnecessary delays in 
     the process and aroused concern in the Nationalist community 
     of a return to the days when the Unionist majority imposed 
     its will through the Stormont Parliament.
       We are also disappointed by the lack of willingness, on the 
     part of the leaders of the largest Unionist parties in 
     Northern Ireland, to participate in good faith in the peace 
     process, despite the fact that the process so clearly has the 
     support of the people of their community. The Friends of 
     Ireland urge the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party and 
     the Democratic Unionist Party to engage

[[Page S2098]]

     fully in the search for a fair and comprehensive settlement. 
     There is now a unique opportunity for all sides--Nationalists 
     and Unionists--working with the two Governments to advance 
     the cause of peace.
       We pledge to continue to do all we can to support the peace 
     process. On this St. Patrick's Day, we rededicate ourselves 
     to working with all those who continue to be genuinely 
     committed to the achievement of a lasting peace for Northern 
     Ireland.

      friends of ireland executive committee, united states senate

     Edward M. Kennedy.
     Claiborne Pell.
     Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
     Christopher J. Dodd.

                          ____________________