23/08/2001
US renew warning on IRA suspects
The US government have renewed their warning that it would take a very dim view of any collaboration between the IRA and Marxist rebels in Colombia.
Reacting to the news that Colombian prosecutors charged three Irishmen on Tuesday with allegedly training Colombian guerrillas and carrying false passports, the US have issued a clear signal to republicans warning the status they enjoy in the US could be compromised by illegal activity.
State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said: “No one should be in any doubt that the United States would be greatly concerned about any assistance, information sharing, training or collaboration with the FARC [the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.”
Phil Chicola, director of Andean affairs at the State Department added that he also thought this was a very bad development and “something we are very concerned about”.
A large US delegation led by under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman are due to visit Colombia next Wednesday, August 29, for two days. They will meet with President Pastrana and the government of Colombia officials in order to underscore continuing US support for Colombia.
The three IRA suspects were charged on Tuesday and were moved to a high security prison while the state prepared its case against them. Under Colombian law, the men can be held for 240 days before going to trial. The men have been refused bail. (AMcE)
Reacting to the news that Colombian prosecutors charged three Irishmen on Tuesday with allegedly training Colombian guerrillas and carrying false passports, the US have issued a clear signal to republicans warning the status they enjoy in the US could be compromised by illegal activity.
State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said: “No one should be in any doubt that the United States would be greatly concerned about any assistance, information sharing, training or collaboration with the FARC [the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.”
Phil Chicola, director of Andean affairs at the State Department added that he also thought this was a very bad development and “something we are very concerned about”.
A large US delegation led by under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman are due to visit Colombia next Wednesday, August 29, for two days. They will meet with President Pastrana and the government of Colombia officials in order to underscore continuing US support for Colombia.
The three IRA suspects were charged on Tuesday and were moved to a high security prison while the state prepared its case against them. Under Colombian law, the men can be held for 240 days before going to trial. The men have been refused bail. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 August 2001
Men held in Colombia deny IRA links
Three alleged IRA suspects arrested in Colombia earlier this week have denied links with the Provisional IRA or Colombian guerrillas. According to the Colombian Attorney’s Office the men, James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connelly, insist they were in the safe haven of the Colombian guerrillas simply as tourists.
Men held in Colombia deny IRA links
Three alleged IRA suspects arrested in Colombia earlier this week have denied links with the Provisional IRA or Colombian guerrillas. According to the Colombian Attorney’s Office the men, James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connelly, insist they were in the safe haven of the Colombian guerrillas simply as tourists.
14 August 2001
Trio detained in Colombia are IRA suspects
Three men captured in Colombia, allegedly travelling on false British and Irish passports, are IRA members, according to the commander of the Colombian army. A specialist investigative branch of the Colombian Police, known as the Fiscalia, arrested the three men, in Bogotá El Dorado airport on Saturday August 11.
Trio detained in Colombia are IRA suspects
Three men captured in Colombia, allegedly travelling on false British and Irish passports, are IRA members, according to the commander of the Colombian army. A specialist investigative branch of the Colombian Police, known as the Fiscalia, arrested the three men, in Bogotá El Dorado airport on Saturday August 11.
24 April 2002
IRA again deny any Colombian involvement
The IRA has again denied any involvement with left-wing guerrillas in Colombia ahead of a US Congressional hearing into alleged links between the two groups.
IRA again deny any Colombian involvement
The IRA has again denied any involvement with left-wing guerrillas in Colombia ahead of a US Congressional hearing into alleged links between the two groups.
03 September 2002
Trimble meets Colombian vice president over alleged IRA links
First Minister David Trimble has met with the Colombian vice president at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg to discuss matters relating to the three suspected IRA men who were arrested for allegedly training Farc guerrillas last year.
Trimble meets Colombian vice president over alleged IRA links
First Minister David Trimble has met with the Colombian vice president at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg to discuss matters relating to the three suspected IRA men who were arrested for allegedly training Farc guerrillas last year.
17 June 2004
Whereabouts of Colombian Three unknown
The whereabouts of three Irishmen cleared of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia is still unknown. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan left their Bogota jail on Wednesday six weeks after being acquitted of training right-wing militants over three years ago.
Whereabouts of Colombian Three unknown
The whereabouts of three Irishmen cleared of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia is still unknown. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan left their Bogota jail on Wednesday six weeks after being acquitted of training right-wing militants over three years ago.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.