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Sinn Féin: Adams 'to meet' US State Department in Washington | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Sinn Féin has said a planned meeting between Gerry Adams and a high level US State Department official in Washington will now go ahead on Tuesday. | |
The move follows criticism of the US department from Mr Adams over its refusal to meet him on Monday. | |
The BBC understands the meeting was abandoned because of the continuing crisis over welfare reform. | |
Sinn Féin had denied a snub. However Mr Adams said it was "no skin off my nose" not to meet the official. | |
Speaking in New York, Mr Adams said: "The State Department's handling of the issue of a meeting with me is bizarre. It serves no purpose other than to distract attention from the main issue. That is the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. | |
"That is Sinn Féin's main focus. And Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson are working on this as we speak. | "That is Sinn Féin's main focus. And Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson are working on this as we speak. |
"Bizarre" | "Bizarre" |
"It is no skin off my nose not to meet the State Department. I am more concerned with protecting the rights and entitlements of citizens back home. That will remain Sinn Féin's firm objective," Mr Adams added. | |
Mr Adams' statement follows earlier comments from his party colleague Conor Murphy who had denied there had been a snub. Mr Murphy said: "Gerry Adams was actually asked for a meeting today by the State Department. | Mr Adams' statement follows earlier comments from his party colleague Conor Murphy who had denied there had been a snub. Mr Murphy said: "Gerry Adams was actually asked for a meeting today by the State Department. |
"He's in New York city today, he's unable to go Washington until tomorrow and so no other meeting has been confirmed after that. | "He's in New York city today, he's unable to go Washington until tomorrow and so no other meeting has been confirmed after that. |
"But he will be at the White House tomorrow for the St Patrick's Day celebration." | "But he will be at the White House tomorrow for the St Patrick's Day celebration." |
"Welfare reform" | |
At the weekend, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness cancelled plans to go to the US to meet President Obama on St Patrick's Day. | At the weekend, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness cancelled plans to go to the US to meet President Obama on St Patrick's Day. |
However, Mr Adams has travelled to the US. | However, Mr Adams has travelled to the US. |
Sources said he was to have held a meeting with a senior State Department official, among other engagements. | Sources said he was to have held a meeting with a senior State Department official, among other engagements. |
It follows developments at Stormont last week when Sinn Féin withdrew support for the welfare reform bill. | It follows developments at Stormont last week when Sinn Féin withdrew support for the welfare reform bill. |
In a statement issued last week, former US senator Gary Hart urged all parties to reach an understanding on the scope of the Stormont House Agreement "so that a successful series of meetings planned for St Patrick's Day can go forward as planned in Washington". | In a statement issued last week, former US senator Gary Hart urged all parties to reach an understanding on the scope of the Stormont House Agreement "so that a successful series of meetings planned for St Patrick's Day can go forward as planned in Washington". |
State Department officials met with the SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell on Monday. | |
It is understood the Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt will also meet with the State Department. |