PRESS RELEASE - Adams detention is sinister development

Published: 21 March, 2006

New York, NY.  Irish-American leaders say the detention of Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams at Reagan Airport that prevented him from attending a speaking engagement in Buffalo, NY is a “sinister development” in the Administration’s handling of the Irish peace process.

Just a few hours after attending a St Patrick’s Day function at The White House, Adams and another member of his party were detained by the Transportation Security Administration for questioning and their luggage seized at Reagan National Airport while being processed for an evening flight to Buffalo.  Authorities claim Mr. Adams’ name showed up on a terror watch list.

“This petty harassment of the Sinn Fein President is vindictive and a serious error of judgment,” said Paul Doris, chairman of Irish Northern Aid.  “Gerry Adams is the leader of the largest nationalist and pro- Good Friday Agreement party in Ireland.  He has been instrumental in encouraging those engaged in conflict to pursue a political path.  The decision to impede his message getting across only plays into the hands of those who say politics don’t work,” Doris said.

Mr. Adams detention was also condemned by Buffalo Democrat, Rep. Brian Higgins who termed Adams' detention "unconscionable."  "Gerry Adams should not have been on a terror watch list," Higgins told a waiting crowd at Buffalo Irish Center.

Mr. Adams has been critical of the Administration’s handling of the peace process; in particular, the fundraising restrictions attached to his US visit.  Adams criticized President Bush’s envoy to the North of Ireland for his role, "I don't have any high regard for Mitchell Reiss's input in this process. If it is he who is advising the president, then it's very, very bad advice," Adams said.

Congressman Higgins voiced his concerns in a telephone call to Mitchell Reiss about Adams’ detainment.  Speaking later, Higgins said that Adams' outspoken remarks about Mr. Reiss and his subsequent detention were "more than a coincidence".

Irish leaders say the incident won’t deflect Mr. Adams from his efforts to raise Irish American support for the peace process.  “At best, this is a sign of political immaturity from the Administration.  At worst, this is a sinister development and a clear signal that the Administration needs to return to its role as an unbiased participant in this process,” said Doris.
“After facing down all that the British security apparatus flung at him for 35 years, Mr. Adams isn’t likely to be impeded by a contrived inconvenience,”  Doris said.

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