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Gerry Adams to attend Obama inauguration
Friday, 16 January 2009
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is to attend the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.
Mr Adams said his party was looking forward to working with the new president, who officially takes over during the lavish swearing-in ceremony in the US capital.
"President-elect Obama has already committed to continuing US support for the Irish peace process," Mr Adams said.
"The Obama administration will present many positive new opportunities and challenges."
A Sinn Fein spokesman said Mr Adams had been invited by Congressman Richard Neal, a vocal supporter of the peace process and personal friend of the leader.
The Ulster Unionist Party has dismissed Mr Adams' attendance at the event, saying it was not surprising given links between the Democratic Party and Sinn Féin.
A spokeswoman said: “Amongst the thousands of guests attending president-elect Obama’s inauguration, Gerry Adams will be a rather insignificant figure – and one from whom most other guests will keep their distance in view of Sinn Féin’s terrorist past in Northern Ireland and its ongoing support for international terrorist organisations such as Farc in Colombia, and Hamas and Hizbullah in the Middle East.”
The DUP has confirmed their party will not be represented at Mr Obama's inauguration.
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Well Mr Spence. Did you watch the inauguration on the tele? and did you actually SEE your bearded friend there? I didn't see him so HOW do we actually KNOW he even got a ticket?
Posted by Stuart | 20.01.09, 22:58 GMT
As America moves to put it's past racial divide behind us and become "one nation under God" it is nice to know that hate lives on in the North. Ireland, really, is a small, non player on the international scale. The fact that you are still divided is sad. Germany, Vietnam are both united but not Ireland. England would rather be done with you, you are costing them money, not making them money. The only reason you matter at all is the diaspora. DUP, UUP, no support abroad at all. Every time I meet anyone from the North here in America, from either tradition, they all gravitated to the Irish American community pubs, halls, dances. The Irish community in the States that cares about you is overwhelming from the Catholic traditon. We don't care about your religion, Tone, Emmett, et. al. all Irish heros. Get with the program, unity by 2016. Pray for America. Pray for your own soul. Pray that you too may be united and find common purpose. Slan Jack
Posted by jack | 20.01.09, 19:07 GMT
Why does unionism seem to want to be unrepresented at this event ? Speaking as a unionist, it seems rather narrow minded to me! Unionism should remember that many key Republicans in Washington have given support to SF/IRA, as well as Democrats - I doubt it can be reduced to a simple party point!
Posted by Alex | 18.01.09, 16:55 GMT
You are talking complete balderdash Mr Spence. Tickets have been on the black market both in the U.S. and Canada so ANYONE could have bought one JUST for him. So it's nothing special. It's not as if he was given a personal invite.
Posted by Stu. | 17.01.09, 00:02 GMT
While they`re at it, some of the American Congressmen should invite Osama Bin Laden. Adams and Bin Laden...two peas from the same pod. And I`m a Republican.......get it?
Posted by Cliff | 16.01.09, 23:00 GMT
Looks like the Unionist parties are out in the cold. What does this say about the World's perception of their screamish reationary outbursts and cultural insularity? (This coming from Prod who will never vote for either of the main parties in their current form, not with a gun to my head).
Posted by M Spence | 16.01.09, 19:03 GMT