03/09/2002
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.
Mr Trimble confirmed that he had discussions with Francisco Santos on the fringes of the summit for sustainable development yesterday. He said that this was the first opportunity he has had to talk with the new Colombian administration, saying this "was initially a matter to make contact". But he confirmed that they had "touched on the issues of common concern", which clearly referred to alleged IRA involvement in Colombia.
The First Minister said: "We are trying to do a number of things on the margins of this as well as following the focus on sustainable development.
"In terms of the facts there isn't any doubt over the major facts about the transfer of technology by the IRA to the narco-terrorists Farc in Colombia. What is not clear are the reasons why, what it all means and what people intend to do in the future.
"That is something that the republican movement and only the republican movement can clear up and the longer they fail to tackle it, the longer there will be the difficulties over the public confidence that have been created here and elsewhere."
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly rejected this and accused Mr Trimble of "deliberately prejudicing the right to a fair trial".
He said: "For David Trimble to use this visit to promote the partisan politics of the Ulster Unionist Party and to interfere in the upcoming trial of three Irishmen in Colombia is appalling."
James Monaghan, Martin McAuley and Niall Connolly, who were arrested in Bogota in August last year, are expected to appear before a court on October 4 for a preliminary hearing over charges relating the training and equipping of Farc rebels.
If found guilty they could face around 16 years in prison.
The First Minister arrived at the summit on Saturday. He has also met with senior officers from the South African police to share views over their handling of public order offences.
And after a meeting with representatives from the Movement for Democratic Change today – the party opposing Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF ruling faction in Zimbabwe – Mr Trimble had harsh words for the country's leaders. He said Zimbabwe was "in the ghastly mess" under the "adventurism of a tyrannical president" who has pursued "crazed land policies".
(GMcG)
Mr Trimble confirmed that he had discussions with Francisco Santos on the fringes of the summit for sustainable development yesterday. He said that this was the first opportunity he has had to talk with the new Colombian administration, saying this "was initially a matter to make contact". But he confirmed that they had "touched on the issues of common concern", which clearly referred to alleged IRA involvement in Colombia.
The First Minister said: "We are trying to do a number of things on the margins of this as well as following the focus on sustainable development.
"In terms of the facts there isn't any doubt over the major facts about the transfer of technology by the IRA to the narco-terrorists Farc in Colombia. What is not clear are the reasons why, what it all means and what people intend to do in the future.
"That is something that the republican movement and only the republican movement can clear up and the longer they fail to tackle it, the longer there will be the difficulties over the public confidence that have been created here and elsewhere."
Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly rejected this and accused Mr Trimble of "deliberately prejudicing the right to a fair trial".
He said: "For David Trimble to use this visit to promote the partisan politics of the Ulster Unionist Party and to interfere in the upcoming trial of three Irishmen in Colombia is appalling."
James Monaghan, Martin McAuley and Niall Connolly, who were arrested in Bogota in August last year, are expected to appear before a court on October 4 for a preliminary hearing over charges relating the training and equipping of Farc rebels.
If found guilty they could face around 16 years in prison.
The First Minister arrived at the summit on Saturday. He has also met with senior officers from the South African police to share views over their handling of public order offences.
And after a meeting with representatives from the Movement for Democratic Change today – the party opposing Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF ruling faction in Zimbabwe – Mr Trimble had harsh words for the country's leaders. He said Zimbabwe was "in the ghastly mess" under the "adventurism of a tyrannical president" who has pursued "crazed land policies".
(GMcG)
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UUP leader's wife to stand in Lagan Valley
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04 October 2002
'Colombia Three' trial begins in Bogota
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'Colombia Three' trial begins in Bogota
UPDATE: The trial of the three suspected IRA men arrested at an airport in Colombia for allegedly training Marxist Farc guerrillas last year was postponed on Friday when the three accused men refused to leave their cells.
18 September 2001
US envoy warns IRA over links to Colombia
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US envoy warns IRA over links to Colombia
US special envoy to Northern Ireland, Richard Haass, has warned that all connections between the IRA and Colombian terrorist group, the FARC, must stop before such connections impact upon the role of the US in the peace process. Mr Haass’ statement follows the detainment last month of three Irishmen in the Colombian capital of Bogotá.
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Colombia trial adjourned as evidence rejected
The trial of the three men accused of training FARC guerrillas in Colombia has been adjourned. Judge Jairo Acosta refused to admit documentary evidence that the defence claim is crucial to the case as he adjourned the trail of the three Irishmen until July 28.
Colombia trial adjourned as evidence rejected
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17 October 2002
Colombia Three 'have case to answer' says judge
A Colombian court has ruled that the three suspected IRA men, alleged to have been involved in training anti-government Farc guerrillas, have "a case to answer". In yesterday afternoon's ruling, Judge Jairo Acosta said that the case would go forward and set the date for the beginning of the trial for December 2.
Colombia Three 'have case to answer' says judge
A Colombian court has ruled that the three suspected IRA men, alleged to have been involved in training anti-government Farc guerrillas, have "a case to answer". In yesterday afternoon's ruling, Judge Jairo Acosta said that the case would go forward and set the date for the beginning of the trial for December 2.