SF 'in clear' over Colombia arrests

Sinn Fein has told a key adviser to US President George W Bush that it does not have any case to answer on the arrests of three Irish terrorist suspects last month in Colombia, a leading party member said today.

North Belfast Assembly member, Gerry Kelly responded to comments from the US President’s special adviser on Northern Ireland, Richard Haass, that there would be ‘‘consequences’’ if the IRA did not sever its links with left wing Farc guerrillas in Colombia.

Mr Kelly said: ‘‘We met Richard Haass last Tuesday and there was a full and frank discussion during which Sinn Fein’s view of the arrests in Colombia was made clear.

‘‘We have no reason to believe, nor did Mr Haass suggest last week, nor did he suggest yesterday that the US is about to take action against Sinn Fein.

‘‘Mr Haass was told Sinn Fein has no case to answer on this issue. He was also told that Sinn Fein is totally committed to this peace process.’’

The Sinn Fein MLA was responding to a briefing given by the US official to journalists in Washington.

The official indicated the White House was not planning to take immediate action against Irish republicans following the arrests last month in Bogota of former Sinn Fein National Executive member, James Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly.

The three Irishmen were arrested by the Colombian authorities on suspicion of training Farc terrorists and were travelling around the country with illegal passports.