[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ST. PATRICK'S DAY, MARCH 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, another glorious St. Patrick's Day will soon 
be upon us. As we approach another celebration of this great and 
important day in honor of the patron Saint of Ireland, sadness still 
hangs over that beautiful, troubled land.
  As we now approach the second St. Patrick's Day since the cease-fire 
on both sides was announced in the fall of 1994, the peace talks have 
broken down. Once again, we are without hope for any all-party 
inclusive talks to find any peaceful political solution to the troubles 
in the north of Ireland.
  Ireland has a flourishing economy and expanding wealth, yet the 
unresolved troubles in the north diminishes the hope for an even 
greater, promising future for the youth of Ireland, and for all of its 
warm and generous people.
  I was pleased to lead a congressional delegation last month to the 
north of Ireland, to the Republic of Ireland, and to London, to review 
what we in the Congress could do to help bring the stalled peace 
process back on track.
  After visiting Ireland--both North and South--and having carefully 
evaluated the current status of the peace process following meetings 
with most of the parties to the current talks, including Sinn Fein 
leader Gerry Adams, as well as representatives of both the Irish and 
British Governments on the Northern Ireland issue, I am still hopeful, 
yet realistic.
  Our congressional delegation was still optimistic that progress 
toward peace through dialog was still possible, and I share that hope.
  Our delegation joined President Clinton, and the Irish people, both 
North and South, in reaffirming its overwhelming desire for permanent 
peace and reconciliation on the island. The attached statement was 
issued by the delegation after our meetings were concluded in London.
  These worthy, important goals can only be achieved through peaceful 
dialog and negotiations involving all parties, along with the eventual 
consent of the Irish people to any proposed political solutions.
  A prompt restoration of the IRA cease-fire as called for by President 
Clinton, and many others, plus the cessation of the use of violence by 
anyone, would best serve the cause of peace, without further 
diminishing the worthiness or merit of any party's cause.
  All-party inclusive talks and political dialog, in accordance with 
the terms set out in the Mitchell report, are the only true means for 
finding the common goal we all share for a just and lasting settlement 
on the whole island of Ireland.
  There is still an historic opportunity for peace. The delegation 
urged all concerned to seize the opportunity now and move the peace 
process forward without any of the endless dilatory tactics we have so 
often observed in the past.
  The British Government in particular, under whatever party is in 
power, must continue to lead the process and move it forward, giving 
the search for peace its highest priority by building trust between the 
two communities, especially after the destructive and provocative 
Orange Order marches of last year.
  Our congressional delegation concluded with this plea. Let us hope 
all sides can reconcile, stepping back from a return to the past, and 
let us and the world never witness again the tragedy of Northern 
Ireland engaged in an endless cycle of violence, denying future 
generations of Irish youth the peaceful future and prosperity they 
desire and observe.
  The Irish people who have contributed so much to our Nation's own 
prosperity and security have a right to expect continued United States 
interest in helping to bring lasting peace and justice to the whole 
island of Ireland.
  Our congressional mission to the region was a continuation of that 
U.S. commitment. I intend to continue to work with President Clinton 
and others in Congress to help the Irish people pursue their dream of a 
lasting peace and justice on the whole island.
  Millions of their families here in America and around the globe 
follow closely events as they unfold in Ireland.
  They will be particularly pleased to know that our House 
International Relations Committee will be holding hearings later this 
year on the human rights situation in the north of Ireland.
  The issue of lasting Irish peace and justice will continue to be high 
on our foreign policy agenda. I look forward to continuing to work with 
the Irish-American community, the President, and all those around the 
world committed to finding lasting peace and justice through dialog and 
peaceful political means in Ireland today.

   Press Statement Northern Ireland Peace Process--February 17, 1997

       The bi-partisan U.S. Congressional delegation, led by 
     Chairman Benjamin A. Gilman, visiting Ireland after carefully 
     evaluating the current status of the peace process following 
     meetings with the parties, as well as representatives of both 
     governments, issued the following statement on Northern 
     Ireland:
       We join President Clinton, and the Irish people (both north 
     and south) in reaffirming our overwhelming desire for 
     permanent peace and reconciliation on the island. These 
     worthy and important goals can only be achieved through 
     peaceful dialog and negotiations involving all parties, along 
     with the eventual consent of the people to any proposed 
     political solutions.
       A prompt restoration of the IRA cease-fire as called for by 
     President Clinton, and many others, plus the cessation of the 
     use of violence by anyone, will serve the cause of peace 
     best, without further diminishing the worthiness or merit of 
     any party's cause. All party inclusive talks and political 
     dialog, in accordance with the terms set out in the Mitchell 
     report, are the only true means for finding the common goal 
     we all share for a just and lasting settlement.
       This is an historic opportunity for peace. We urge all 
     concerned to seize the opportunity now and move the peace 
     process forward without the endless dilatory tactics we have 
     so often observed in the past. The British government in 
     particular under whatever party is in power, must continue to 
     lead the process forward and give the search for peace its 
     highest priority by building trust between the two 
     communities, especially after the destructive marches of last 
     year.
       Let us hope all sides can step back from a return to the 
     past. We hope the world will never witness again the tragedy 
     of Northern Ireland engaged in an endless cycle of violence, 
     which will deny future generations of all the youth on the 
     island of Ireland the peaceful future and prosperity they 
     desire and deserve.

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