New US-Britain extradition treaty 'not aimed at Irish Americans'

President George Bush’s administration today defended a new extradition treaty beween the US and Britain, maintaining it was not aimed at Irish Americans as some critics claim.

Officials from the State Department and the Justice Department told the Senate Foreign Relation Committees any delay in approval would have serious consequences in law enforcement cooperation with the British, particularly in terrorism cases.

Sen Richard Lugar, the chairman of the committee, which must approve the treaty before it goes to the full Senate, called the hearing after British officials visited the United States to press for ratification by the end of the year.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced intense political turbulence after the treaty was used to send three British bankers to the United States to face prosecution.