23/08/2001

US renew warning on IRA suspects

The US government have renewed their warning that it would take a very dim view of any collaboration between the IRA and Marxist rebels in Colombia.

Reacting to the news that Colombian prosecutors charged three Irishmen on Tuesday with allegedly training Colombian guerrillas and carrying false passports, the US have issued a clear signal to republicans warning the status they enjoy in the US could be compromised by illegal activity.

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said: “No one should be in any doubt that the United States would be greatly concerned about any assistance, information sharing, training or collaboration with the FARC [the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.”

Phil Chicola, director of Andean affairs at the State Department added that he also thought this was a very bad development and “something we are very concerned about”.

A large US delegation led by under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman are due to visit Colombia next Wednesday, August 29, for two days. They will meet with President Pastrana and the government of Colombia officials in order to underscore continuing US support for Colombia.

The three IRA suspects were charged on Tuesday and were moved to a high security prison while the state prepared its case against them. Under Colombian law, the men can be held for 240 days before going to trial. The men have been refused bail. (AMcE)

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