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20/07/2001
BUSH CALLS FOR BOTH SIDES TO DECOMMISSION
US Republican congressman Peter King has denied reports that visiting US President George W Bush is singling out the IRA on the decommissioning issue.
Before Mr Bush arrived in the UK for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the Northern Ireland peace process he had said that responsibility lay with the IRA to begin decommissioning.
However, speaking to Radio Foyle on Friday 20 July, Congressman King said the President’s statements had been taken out of context.
“I think some elements in the British Government are trying to generate pressure against Sinn Féin but the fact is that it is not there. I can tell you that in Congress- both in the House and the Senate- support for Sinn Féin has never been stronger.
“But, again, not that we are taking sides behind Sinn Féin, what we are saying is that every aspect of the Good Friday Agreement has to be enforced and it would very dangerous to be focusing just on one element as opposed to the others and also on juts one of the parties.”
Speaking on Thursday at a joint press conference Mr Bush said: “The situation in Northern Ireland is coming to a critical stage … There should be no mistake, we believe that the decommissioning part of the Good Friday Agreement must be upheld. We strongly support the governments of Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern in their attempt to enact the Good Friday agreement, and on of the crucial points is decommissioning. My government stands side by side with those governments and those two leaders in urging all sides to decommission, to disarm. I stand ready to help.”
Mr Bush and Mr Blair have now both left to fly to Italy for this weekend’s G8 summit in Genoa (AMcE)
Before Mr Bush arrived in the UK for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the Northern Ireland peace process he had said that responsibility lay with the IRA to begin decommissioning.
However, speaking to Radio Foyle on Friday 20 July, Congressman King said the President’s statements had been taken out of context.
“I think some elements in the British Government are trying to generate pressure against Sinn Féin but the fact is that it is not there. I can tell you that in Congress- both in the House and the Senate- support for Sinn Féin has never been stronger.
“But, again, not that we are taking sides behind Sinn Féin, what we are saying is that every aspect of the Good Friday Agreement has to be enforced and it would very dangerous to be focusing just on one element as opposed to the others and also on juts one of the parties.”
Speaking on Thursday at a joint press conference Mr Bush said: “The situation in Northern Ireland is coming to a critical stage … There should be no mistake, we believe that the decommissioning part of the Good Friday Agreement must be upheld. We strongly support the governments of Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern in their attempt to enact the Good Friday agreement, and on of the crucial points is decommissioning. My government stands side by side with those governments and those two leaders in urging all sides to decommission, to disarm. I stand ready to help.”
Mr Bush and Mr Blair have now both left to fly to Italy for this weekend’s G8 summit in Genoa (AMcE)
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18 July 2001
BUSH CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
US President George W Bush has called on the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons in his most demonstrative statement regarding the Northern Ireland peace process to date. Mr Bush’s first public comments are widely regarded to increase pressure on the IRA and loyalists to break the deadlock in the political process.
BUSH CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
US President George W Bush has called on the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons in his most demonstrative statement regarding the Northern Ireland peace process to date. Mr Bush’s first public comments are widely regarded to increase pressure on the IRA and loyalists to break the deadlock in the political process.
08 April 2003
Bush urges NI to 'seize opportunity for peace'
American, British and Irish Governments have called for an end to all "paramilitary activity and capability" in Northern Ireland.
Bush urges NI to 'seize opportunity for peace'
American, British and Irish Governments have called for an end to all "paramilitary activity and capability" in Northern Ireland.
05 March 2003
Bomb detonator found in Maghaberry jail
A bomb detonator has been found during a search of Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim. The detonator was found during a search of cells in a prison block called Bush House. The searches were initiated after a bullet exploded in a toaster earlier in the week.
Bomb detonator found in Maghaberry jail
A bomb detonator has been found during a search of Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim. The detonator was found during a search of cells in a prison block called Bush House. The searches were initiated after a bullet exploded in a toaster earlier in the week.
02 July 2021
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
11 February 2003
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
