Adams begins tour of US

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was beginning a four-day visit to the United States today for a series of political meetings linked to the Northern Ireland peace process.

Mr Adams, who is visiting both Boston and New York, said the trip was an opportunity to meet “friends of the peace process”.

He added: “The US administration and Irish Americans have been long-term allies of the Irish peace process, and they continue to provide support at this time of crisis in the process.”

Among meetings the Sinn Féin leader is holding are talks with Senator Ted Kennedy and Massachusetts members of congress.

He will round off the discussions with Ambassador Richard Haass, President Bush’s special envoy to Ireland who has made repeated trips to Northern Ireland in a bid to push forward the faltering peace process.