Conference tallis::celt

/* Written  1:17 am  Jan 28, 1994 by [email protected] in igc:reg.ireland */
/* ---------- "ADAMS NYC PRESS CONFERENCE, TENTAT" ---------- */
PRESS CONFERENCE -- TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

ISSUE: First ever visit to America of Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein
and former tw term elected Member of Parliament.

PURPOSE:  To address the National Committee on American Foreign Policy Inc.
on the conflict in Ireland.


WHERE: Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Park Avenue at 48 Street, New York City


WHEN: Tuesday, February 1, 1994 at 1:30 pm.

NATIOAL COMMITTEE ON AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY contact: 212-7585 or fax 212-7586

ADAMS PRESS CONFERENCE CONTACT: Martin Galvin, Irish Northern Aid,
Director of Publicity at: 718-992-1400 or fax 718-992-1889

*******************************************************************************

  Mark Holohan, DEC, USA        "Character is what you are in the dark" - 
  [email protected]                                      John Whorfin
  
  The opinions expressed are mine and not necessarily the opinions of 
  Digital Equipment Corporation.

*******************************************************************************

  As Father Sean McManus said, "It's a victory for 
Irish-Americans who believe in free speech and a 
defeat for the British Embassy and Speaker Foley."

                  Mark

    It really is a farce when you think of it.  Clinton meets Assad,
    Arafat, and other so-called "terrorist" types.  We let in Arabs to
    blow up the World Trade towers, but we don't allow in Adams, because
    he is Irish and a member of Sinn Fein...  Incredible isn't it?

    Did Thatcher need a visa to come to the U. S. when she was PM?  
    

    No, just a tin of biscuits and some jellybeans for Ronnie.

>    Here's to real and lasting peace in NI and a decrease of
>    British influence in Irish/American politics.
>    
>    /George

I'm just wondering why America has a divine right to "influence" Irish 
Politics.


Just curious.
Mark

 re. .6

  That's funny, I've always wondered why the British
  think they have a divine right to "influence" Irish
  politics.
                Mark

  Gerry Adams was on Larry King live last night on
  CNN.  He said a lot of interesting things.  I'm still
  baffled though as to why CNN felt that a man talking
  peace should not be heard on their broadcasts in
  Europe.  Seems the British have an all pervasive
  influence on an American news programs that is
  broadcast to Europe. If I was European I'd be pissed
  at being censored like that, unless of course I was
  British in which case I'd expect it to "protect my
  mind from the evil influence of a peace talker".

  Joe Drotter, got in the best question during the 
  phone in. 

                      Mark
  

    RE: .8  by KOALA::HOLOHAN 
    
    >Joe Drotter, got in the best question during the phone in. 
    
    And what was that, pray tell?
    

re. .9

   He asked whether or not a U.S. peace envoy could
 help the prospects for a real peace process in
 northern Ireland.  Mr. Adams basically said that he
 would welcome any help in finding a peaceful and
 just solution, including a U.S. peace envoy.

                     Mark

> If I was European I'd be pissed at being censored like that  

hmm, I didn't know that censorship could induce a feeling of
inebriation.  I'll have to give that one a try, it's a lot cheaper
than alcohol!

Chris.

    Well I did'nt see the interview unfortunately. So had Mr Adams anything
    new to say? From what I've heard recently Sinn Fein are toning down
    their rhetoric as they attempt to shift from the Ballot and Bullet
    party to a "Peace negotiation" party. If Sinn Fein even partially
    accept the Downing St. Declaration, is an IRA schism inevitable?
    Believe it or not, if this should happen Mr Adams would be leading the
    pacificist segment. He's too cute a hoor to let himself be drawn back
    to the terrorist side show when he can have a world centre stage. 
    
    Of course the loyalist paramilitaries have been stirring the pot south
    of the border as well. They posted an incendiary device to the
    Librarian in Trinity College Dublin, supposedly in retaliation for the
    firebombing of the Linenhall library in Belfast by the IRA just after
    Christmas. Luckily it was defused before any harm was done.
    
    By the way is Ken Maginnis of the UUP going to be at the same
    conference as Mr Adams? I heard him on NPR here yesterday saying he
    would'nt attend if Mr Adams was allowed in.
    
    Joe.
                                               

    
    	the peace talks ought to be interesting....
    	gerry was very polite in wiping the floor with john alderdice.
    	if that's the calibre of debate material he (alderdice) represents 
    	then it shouldn't be hard at all for the whole talks to become
    	hopelessly ratholed.
    
    	gerry was clear on his  

    
    
    I tuned in a little late, and was wondering when did Gerry start
    wearing gold chains and an ear ring ??
    
    
    keVin

>I'm just wondering why America has a divine right to "influence" Irish 
>Politics.
    
    We don't. No more than the British do.
    
    However, the U.S. shouldn't (and now thankfully isn't) listening to
    British government lobbyists who promote devious censorship of Irish
    men and women.

    Mark R., I'm not particularly a follower of Sinn Fein.  However,
    I can't understand how you move the peace process forward by censoring
    political groups.  Maybe you can enlighten me here?  How do you
    negociate and make peace with groups with no means of expression?
    
    If censorship is the means by which British society runs best, then so
    be it.  I know I wouldn't be happy being spoon fed information.  It
    happens secretly in the US and it's arrogant and patronizing. In the
    UK political censorship of Irish people is overt and systematic.  One
    is bad, the other is worse.
    
    And I don't think it's appropriate for the US to censor foreign groups
    simply out of another government's desires.  I know it happens from
    time to time, but it doesn't make it right.

>    Mark R., I'm not particularly a follower of Sinn Fein.  However,
>    I can't understand how you move the peace process forward by censoring
>   political groups.  Maybe you can enlighten me here?  How do you
>    negociate and make peace with groups with no means of expression?
 
I don't really know why you've addressed this point to me.  I've never (and 
never will) support political censorship.  I think it is morally wrong, 
counter-productive and ill-advised.

   
>    If censorship is the means by which British society runs best, then so
>    be it.  I know I wouldn't be happy being spoon fed information.  It
>    happens secretly in the US and it's arrogant and patronizing. In the
>    UK political censorship of Irish people is overt and systematic.  One
>    is bad, the other is worse.
 
Agreed.

   
>    And I don't think it's appropriate for the US to censor foreign groups
>    simply out of another government's desires.  I know it happens from
>    time to time, but it doesn't make it right.

Agreed.


Mark R.

   RTE news, last night, showed segments of Gery Adams being interviewed by

Lary King on CNN. His words were lip synched, well not quite as there was a 
few seconds of a lapse, by an American actor. Did this occur also on American
TV or was it for the benefit of British viewers. 

It was a bit bizarre... 

 regards

  Des.

  It was for the benefit of British viewers. I guess
  you ended up getting grouped with them.
                 Mark

    During the Larry King show, someone called with a question for Gerry
    Adams something along the lines of "what can U.S. citizens do to aid
    the cause of peace in Northern Ireland?".  I then recieved a phone call
    and didn't get to hear the answer.
    
    Does anyone recall what the response was?  or have any ideas of their
    own?
    

    The response was to learn as much as you can about the situation 
    and make your own informed opinions, write to whomever you think
    might have some influence in bring about a resolution (political,
    trade, etc. folks), and I don't remember if there was anything
    else!
    
    Nancy

    
    Looks like the whole thing flopped really. Both unionists parties
    boycotted the meeting, even the more moderate Ulster Unionists.
    Adams did his usual elusive double-talk and then rejected a major
    principle of the anglo-Irish plan, namely the 'unionist veto' or
    'right to determine their future' depending on your slant. Meanwhile
    papers report Clinton was pretty much acting against wishes of State dept
    in granting the visa and clearly did it because Kennedy twisted his
    arm (He's needed to get health plan thru senate). Clinton then said he
    wouldn't get US govt involved in negotiations.
    

    >I tuned in a little late, and was wondering when did Gerry start
    >wearing gold chains and an ear ring ??
    
    keVin, that was "Mr. T".  You were watching the wrong program.
    
    I realize it's difficult to picture what he looks like, having him
    been censored from us for all these years...  ;v)
    
    BTW, I still have that ever-collectable Christmas Card with you,
    Sen. Culbert, and Mr. T.
    
    /g

    
    	regarding the gold chains and an ear ring comment....
    
    	when in new york...etc etc etc.

    Re .20
    
    Sureley Mr Adams answered do what the IRA do to aid peace.  Bomb shops,
    public Libraries,  a few Kids.  Then call him up to hear how he deeply
    regrets blah blah blah.
    
    So.  If the folks who blew up the World Trade Centre announced that
    they had a political wing,  presumably ole Billy Rodme Clinton would
    give them a Visa and bung them on the Telly ??
    
    Regards
    
    Bruce

    And surely the British government can aid peace by shooting unarmed
    civilians such as Aidan MacEnespie, Fergal Carraherm, etc.  And we can
    then watch the queen mother fly to NI and pin decorations on her
    proud soldiers.  Blah blah blah.
    
    Ironically Bruce yes, we waved the World Trade Centre terrorists
    right through customs.  Didn't even check their Bak-lava or sausages.
    But we deny Irish politicians, who have *not* been convicted of a
    crime, access to the United States. That sounds fair doesn't it?
    We can let in Ian Paisley to do fund raising in NH but we deny
    Gerry Adams, well, er, because he's an Oirish Nationalist.
    
    /George
                                    

    George
    
    The point is Adams is now in the US.  He now has a platform to give him
    freedom of speech in the US.  However while he is talking the Brave
    Freedom fighters are still bombing civilian targets and to date have
    shown nothing to suggest that intend halting or even slowing down these
    attacks.
    
    How many flag waving supporters would Adams have got if the bombing
    that we see daily in the UK were to start in the US. ??
    
    Adams only claim to the continuation of violence today is that the IRA
    require clarification from Major.  he does not state that they put fire
    bombs in Oxford Street Shops due to Alleged Murders by British Troops.
    
    Regards
    
    Bruce

    >How many flag waving supporters would Adams have got if the bombing
    >that we see daily in the UK were to start in the US. ??
    
    Probabaly very few.  But that doesn't diminish his right to free
    speech. You are restricting the civil liberties of people on the
    basis of their political beliefs.
    
    And if anything, censorship probably has the reverse effect of giving
    Adams more publicity, more attention, and more support than under a
    system of free speech.
    
    Yes, the bombing in England continues, but so does the military
    occupation of Ireland.  Both are undesirable.  One way to deflame the
    issue is to negociate and compromise in ernest.  These groups in NI
    have grievances and it's obvious they are not being met.
    
    I do not believe that IRA violence is a way forward to peace.  But
    neither do I believe that British intransigence and continued military
    occupation is a way forward.  Both groups are myopic and acting in
    their own self interest.  The IRA in not declaring a cease fire.
    And Britain refusing to qualify their declaration or peace. Silly isn't
    it?
    
    However, one thing is certain.  You will never attain peace by
    censoring your opponents, unless you completely eliminate them.
    That as of yet hasn't occurred. ;v)
                                                  

    RE: .25  by YUPPY::MILLARB 
    
    >Bomb shops, public Libraries, a few Kids.  
    
    Not that it excuses anything, but the Linenhall Library in Belfast is
    not a "public" Library.
    

The BBC reports that Adams was met by a hostile demonstration when he arrived
back at Dublin airport. It would appear that the American enthusiasm for him
is not shared by at least some Irish citizens, who of course do not enjoy
the luxury of being 3000 miles removed from the problem.

The American ambassador in London is reported as saying that the visit may have
damaged the peace process. Another masterstroke by Clinton?
 
Dave 

Author:      TALLIS::DARCY     Alpha Migration Tools
Number:      1319.28      Created: 02-Feb-1994 12:37pm           Replies: 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>    Probabaly very few.  But that doesn't diminish his right to free
>    speech. You are restricting the civil liberties of people on the
>    basis of their political beliefs.
    
>    And if anything, censorship probably has the reverse effect of giving
>    Adams more publicity, more attention, and more support than under a
>    system of free speech.

>    However, one thing is certain.  You will never attain peace by
>    censoring your opponents, unless you completely eliminate them.


I don't think anyone has ever expressed support for the censorship of Sinn 
Fein in this conference.  I'd say you were preaching to the converted.
  

>    I do not believe that IRA violence is a way forward to peace.  But
>    neither do I believe that British intransigence and continued military
>    occupation is a way forward.  Both groups are myopic and acting in
>    their own self interest.  The IRA in not declaring a cease fire.
>    And Britain refusing to qualify their declaration or peace. Silly isn't
    

There is a third group at work - The Loyalists.  Just like the 
nationalists, there is abroad spectrum (i.e those who advocate violence and 
those who don't) .  Please try to understand that this is not a 
straightforward Nationalist v British conflict.  Any moves the British make 
towards appeasing the Nationalists is treated as betrayal by the Unionists. 
Any moves made towards the Unionists is treated as "more of the same" by 
the Nationalists and gives those who believe in violence further 
"justification" for using it.   There is no easy answer.  I just hope that 
those in the USA who make these affairs their business understand that.     
                                                  

Mark R.

                                 Larry King Live
                                January  31, 1994

             The Gun in Irish Politics Also Escalates a War of Words

         GERRY ADAMS, Head, Sinn Fein; DR. JOHN ALDERDICE, Alliance Party


LARRY KING: Good evening.  The past years' so bitter enemies come together.
Israel's Rabin and PLO Chief Arafat, South Africa's President de Klerc and
Nelson Mandela, and now there is hope for a similar political truce in
Northern Ireland, site of the world's longest-running guerilla war.

The Protestant majority wants to remain split from Ireland under British
control. But many of Northern Ireland's Catholic minority want to reunite.
The Irish Republican Army has waged a bloody terrorist campaign to end British
rule. A key figure in all of this is Gerry Adams.

He heads Sinn Fein, the IRA's political wing.  He has thus far reduced to
endorse the December peace agreement between the prime ministers of Ireland and

England.

But a major peace conference is being held in New York, and today, the Clinton
Administration gave Adams, normally barred from the United States because of
his IRA connections, a special visa to attend it. Gerry Adams, in New York for j
   ust
a few hours, is our guest tonight.

I should point out that it is against the law in Britain to put Adams' voice on
television.  CNN and many British broadcasters are challenging that law, but
meanwhile, we are abiding by it.  This show is not being seen on our European
satellite.

Gerry, why do you think they released that long-standing ban against you and
let you come in?

GERRY ADAMS, Head, Sinn Fein: Well I think it's an indication of the concern of

President Clinton that U.S. opinion should be informed about what's happening
in Ireland, and for some time, Republicans have been engaged in a peace process,

and I think that the conference tomorrow is a unique opportunity to try and
move that situation forward. I think that President Clinton, if you like,
assessed all of that by giving me a waiver on the visa.

KING: Were you surprised?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, a lot of good people, and I must commend those that have
worked ceaselessly for many years against [unintelligible] and many people in
recent times-- Dr. Nackert  on this issue and, really the British government wer
   e
talking to us for three years there.  They really can't complain the right of
U.S. citizens having the right to talk to me also.

KING: Are you surprised that they didn't go a step further and lift the ban and
let this be seen throughout Europe and in the British Isles tonight?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, you can broadcast it Europe. I'm not sure of what can they do.
We should know that it is the British government tells us to do, and they'd
only do the right thing when they're challenged, and it's up to broadcasters to
challenge them, as well as everyone else.

KING: All right.  How do you feel about this peace accord?  I mean-- it's
important what you think.  A lot of people follow you.  You're a key figure.


What do you think?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, can I-- just before I answer, if it's all right to take the
opportunity-- many friends of mine and good people are at the airport today, and

because of the crush, I wasn't able to see them; family, friends and others.
They have struggled for years on the issue of freedom and justice in Ireland,
so, I want to extend a very hearty thanks and solidarity to them all.

The peace accord-- if I can dig with this in some detail if you please, seven
years ago, Sinn Fein initiated a whole debate within the party to try and move
forward on a peace strategy.

KING: You, by the way, just to set the agenda straight, I don't mean to
interrupt, you are the political arm of the IRA, is that correct?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, it depends.  We would argue very strongly.  It depends who
you're listening to.  I would argue very strongly, that shouldn't feel in fact,

it shouldn't feel.

KING: It has nothing to do with the IRA?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, I wouldn't try to distance myself, personally, from all
that's going on in the northern part of our country. But Sinn Fein is not the
IRA.

KING: Okay.

Mr. ADAMS: Sinn Fein is an unarmed organization, a democratic, open
organization with an elected mandate, in the six occupied countries.

KING: You have supported actions of the IRA, including violent actions,
have you not?  If not supported, have not condemned?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, you-- we're in a difficult situation.  I actually-- I want to
stress this. I want to see the gun taken out of Irish politics, and this Sinn
Fein leadership, I believe is going to be the leadership which will take the gun

out of Irish politics.

Now, what is the Irish gun doing in Irish politics?  It was brought into our
affairs by the British, the largest army in the field is the British Army.
There are allies in the Royal Staff Squads, and then to counter all of that,
the Irish Republican Army.  So I want to see an end to the Irish Republican
Army.

KING: So you're condemning it on both sides?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, what I want to do is to see it end.  I want to see the IRA
actually disbanded.  I want to see the British Army presence removed.

KING: Okay, therefore, do you support-- why do you not support this proposal?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, what I have to find out about the proposal and what I have
asked of the British government, is to clarify an number of matters about the
proposal.  The proposal comes seven years into a strategy by Irish Republicans
to bring about peace in our country.  It comes after a number of initiatives by

Sinn Fein, and also decisions by us to engage our opponents, and sometimes, our

political enemies, and debate them to help bring about peace.  So for three
years, my party, the Sinn Fein party, was engaged in contact and dialogue with
the British government.  We engaged in dialogue with the main church leaders,
with other political parties, and with business contacts.  Now, if I may say so,

the most important and significant of those contacts was the dialogue between
myself and the leader of the SDLP, Mr. John Hume.  Because we were able to
bring about an agreement on core issues, not on a solution, because the
solution has to get the allegiance of all of the Irish people, but on the
process to move the situation forward.

KING: Does this agreement not contain that agreement?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, from what we know of it, and this is from my perspective, and
because the British have refused-- and it's beyond me, that it's a bizarre
situation that for three years, as I've said, we were engaged in dialogue with
the British government, and at no point did they suggest that they had a
settlement.  But the whole process was a battle operation, exploration,
clarification, and explanation, and here when they say they have a settlement,
they won't give clarification.

KING: But won't you get that tomorrow?

Mr. ADAMS: Well I don't know, Larry, unless you know something that I don't
know.

KING: Well this is a peace conference that people are attending, why would they

not give clarification to every party?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, that is exactly my point, because they have given
clarification to all the other parties except Sinn Fein.

KING: What is not clear to you about this agreement?


Mr. ADAMS: Well, John Major went into the House of Commons on the day that the
agreement was announced, and he said: this was no to a united Ireland, no to a
timetable for a united Ireland, no to Dublin involvement in the affairs of the
north, and that his main concern was for those people who cared about the union

between Ireland and Britain

KING: So he--

Mr. ADAMS: He also, if I may elaborate on this, because the 20-year bond on the

visa and the fact that most of the news from Ireland comes through London, I
mean, the U.S. rarely hears an alternative view, so if I could just beg your
indulgence-- he also said, now bear in mind, here we are having three years of
discussion with the British.  He said that if the IRA ceases activities for 12
weeks, that Sinn Fein could be put through a process of decontamination, and
then we can talk to senior civil servants about how the IRA can surrender its
weapons.  Now that doesn't strike me as being the rhetoric of a peacemaker.

KING: It doesn't sound that way. Therefore, you are opposed to this conference.

Mr. ADAMS: No, we're not.

KING: Well then I don't understand.

Mr. ADAMS: No, no, no.  You see, we are involved in a peace process.  We already

have a peace initiative going. All that has happened in the last 12 months, and
particularly around the Downing Street Declaration, has been a response to the
initiatives coming from Ireland, not coming from the British government, but
initiatives come from Ireland.  What we have to do is to proceed with the peace

process.  We want to approach the Downing Street Declaration positively.  We
want to put an end to the peace process.  We want to know how it fits in, what
part does it play?  What are the processes involved, what are the programs
involved, what are the measures involved?  We need to see an Ireland.

KING: Are you publicly calling for, until we see this, an end to all violence
of any kind?

Mr. ADAMS: I have already called on a number of occasions for all the forces
involved to seek a demilitarization.

KING: Okay.  Let me get a break and come right back with Gerry Adams.  He's
president Sinn Fein, in this country for 48 hours on a special visa.

DOUGLAS HURD, British Foreign Secretary: The British and Irish governments have

made it clear that Sinn Fein can't take part in talks about the future of
Northern Ireland until the violence has ceased.  The violence has not ceased.
It's very important, therefore, everyone, everyone should press Adams to play
his part to bring the violence to an end.  That is essential if there's going
to be any progress.

[Commercial break]

KING: Violence has killed 3,200 people, Catholic and Protestant, in the last 25

years.  Our guest is Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, the political party
that supports the Irish Republican Army, the IRA.

There are sources at CNN say that you are still on the IRA command council,
Gerry, that you approve all IRA military activities, and that you even attended

last year, a funeral of an active service IRA man who blew himself up with a
bomb.  Are any of those things true?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, certainly I've attended, unfortunately, many Republican
funerals, the funerals of neighbors and friends, as well as of IRA volunteers.
I make no apology for that.  But I have no responsibility or involvement in IRA

operations, and we find all the time that these sources undoubtedly will be
British sources.  That when they can't face up to an argument, face up to it a
bit, that they'd end it for side issues and for distractions.  My chore, my
main political priority, the main function for the party which I lead, is to
bring peace.

KING: Therefore, if you favor this doctrine, you have now power to tell the IRA

that you favor it and that the IRA should listen to you?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, I want to give you some back history on that and it will give a

very direct answer to what you're saying.  I wish to bring a proposition to the

IRA.  I want to bring a proposition to the IRA as part of the peace process. I
want the IRA to be able to make a considered judgment on the future of its
country.

KING: But it's their judgment, not your power to tell them?

Mr. ADAMS: It must be their--

KING: Okay.  With us, Gerry, on the phone is Dr. John Alderdice.  He is
leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, the only politician from a
Protestant background addressing this conference tomorrow.

Dr. Alderdice, are you optimistic about tomorrow?

DR. JOHN ALDERDICE, Alliance Party: [on phone] Well I'm not particularly
optimistic, but tomorrow marks a real step forward in terms of peace in Northern

Ireland, because, unfortunately, whilst I'll be there, Mr. Adams will be there
and Mr. Hume will be there, we will not, in total, represent even as much as
half of the people of Northern Ireland.  There are very many people in Northern

Ireland who are very angry about this conference, and some of them, indeed,
take violence as a way forward, in the way that [unintelligible] Mr. Adams
supports, take violence as a way forward, and I'm not too optimistic at
present.

KING: Do you accept Mr. Adams's statement that he is unalterably opposed to
violence on both sides?

Dr. ALDERDICE: I find that at home in Ireland, we have a saying about
politicians, that one judges them by their actions and not by their words.  I
think that it's an approach that many people in the United States probably
follow, too, in respect to politicians here.

KING: Are you saying his action [crosstalk]

Dr. ALDERDICE: People in Northern Ireland see Mr. Adams carrying the coffin of
someone who was out involved in a bombing.  They don't find words about peace
terribly striking or impressive.

KING: Gerry, how would you respond to that?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, I mean John Alderdice hello, John.

Dr. ALDERDICE: Hello.

Mr. ADAMS: How are you doing?

Dr. ALDERDICE: We'd all be doing a little bit better if there was some peace
in Northern Ireland.

Mr. ADAMS: Well, exactly, and John Alderdice is, first of all, the rival
politician who represents a party which is smaller than Sinn Fein, and Mr.
Alderdice supports the British Army, and supports the RUC, and has, on a
number of occasions, called for greater measures of reprisal to be taken
against nationalists.  So, there are very few pacifists in this situation.
John Alderdice' party has yet to come up with a strategy which moves the
situation forward.  And having said that, he has shown more courage than the
other unionist parties and the British government in coming to address these
issues, and I look forward to debate these issues with them.

KING: He criticizes you for being a pall bearer at the funeral of someone who
committed terrorism.

Mr. ADAMS: We have all, unfortunately, been at funerals, and that's not heaped
upon a 19 or a 20-year-old young man from Belfast, the sins of a centuries-old
conflict.  That's not going to interfere with the cheap shots on this issue.

Dr. ALDERDICE: I have to say that I don't think that the families of those who
were murdered will that they're cheap shots.

Mr. ADAMS: Absolutely. Yes. Sorry, John, please. I have already made it clear
on this issue, and let's not insult the integrity of the families there, or of
the listeners of this show.  I said the only criticism I would take from my
attendance at that funeral was from the families of those bereaved.  But I
certainly won't take criticism for attending a funeral.  That's have a bit of
sense.  Let's use our energies to make sure there aren't any more funerals, any

more tragic funerals coming out of the situation.

Dr. ALDERDICE: Surely the way for us to stop these tragic funerals, is for all
of us to commit ourselves entirely and purely to the democratic process.

Mr. ADAMS: Absolutely.

Dr. ALDERDICE: I think we became very, very clear on a number of occasions.

Mr. ADAMS: Absolutely.  I want to see a functioning democracy in Ireland.  I
want to see a democracy in Ireland, and I'm totally committed, and I have been
committed all of my political life to just that.

Dr. ALDERDICE: What a democracy involves is people not feeling under threat of
violence.  I have been [crosstalk]

Mr. ADAMS: I have been shot and wounded, John.  I have been in prison without
trial.  I have been beaten by British soldiers.  I have been beaten in cells
over days of systematic treatment.

KING: John, can't we both agree to stop killing?

Dr. ALDERDICE: Well, that's what I would like to hear.

KING: Well, maybe you are hearing it.  Gerry has said.

Dr. ALDERDICE: No, but saying it is not any good, whenever the bombing and the
killing continues on.  We had a Downing Street--

KING: Are you claiming-- are you saying that he can order it?

Dr. ALDERDICE: We have had a Downing Street Declaration from the Prime Minister

and the [unintelligible] and it seems to me that it would have been reasonable,

at least for Mr. Adams, to call on the IRA to cease their violence--

KING: But he says he can't call them [crosstalk]

Let me interrupt.  Let me get a break.  We'll come back and we'll include
viewer phone calls as well.


[Commercial break]

KING: With us from New York is Gerry Adams.  With us on the phone is Dr. John
Alderdice.  We're going to go to some phone calls, but Gerry, would you respond?

John is saying why don't you call-- are you saying you can't call on the IRA to

do anything?

Mr. ADAMS: No, I have called on all the forces involved to pursue a policy of
demilitarization.

KING: Therefore, you're asking the IRA--

Mr. ADAMS: I'm asking them all, Larry.  Let's not get caught up in a diversion
by John Alderdice.  Let John Alderdice call for an end to the British military
presence in Ireland, and that's--

KING: Okay.  John, would you go for that?  John, should there be an end to the
British military presence in Ireland?

Dr. ALDERDICE: The British military presence is of Northern Ireland.  People
born in Northern Ireland who are defending themselves against the attacks of
the IRA [unintelligible] Gerry Adams.  His associate, of course, when it comes t
   o
loyalist [unintelligible] have repeatedly called for end there.  But what
fascinates me is that once Gerry Adams talks endlessly about peace, he said
very clearly, only a few days ago, that he could not call on the IRA to end thei
   r
violence, even [unintelligible] on the basis of the Downing Street Declaration.

All I'm saying is, why can there not be an end to the bombing and the killing
[unintelligible] consider this matter.

KING: John, tonight he seems to have called upon them.

Dr. ALDERDICE: How does he go about it? [sic]

KING: I heard him say it on this program.

Dr. ALDERDICE: I have to say, whilst you may find his words persuasive in


[crosstalk]

KING: I'm not saying it was persuasive, but he is saying--

Dr. ALDERDICE: In actual fact, he has not called quite clearly for the IRA to
stop the blow.

KING: Okay.  Can we make that clear, Gerry?

Mr. ADAMS: Larry, let's not get carried away with--

KING: Well, it's simple.  Are you going to call for an end to violence?

Mr. ADAMS: I'm going to give you a quite simple answer. I want to say, and end
to all violence.

KING: Okay.  Let me get some calls in.

Mr. ADAMS: I'm sorry.  Just let me finish on this.  It needs a process.  It
needs-- and it is a political problem.  We need to get a political [crosstalk]

Dr. ALDERDICE: Call a cease fire.



Mr. ADAMS: We need to get the violence ended, and there's no point to say, John

Alderdice is saying what he has just said. He failed to call for the removal of
the British military presence.  I, at least, have had the courage to call upon
the IRA to take part in a demilitarized system.

KING: Let me get some calls in. Hold it, guys. Hold it, John.  Let me get some
calls in.  Atlanta.  Hello.

1st CALLER: [Atlanta, Georgia] Hi.  Gerry, welcome to America.  What would
happen if the Irish people-- or if the British people pulled out of Ireland?
Would there be like a civil war between the Protestants and the Catholics?

KING: [unintelligible] be worse?

Mr. ADAMS: No.  I think that we've had 25 years of unbroken conflict.  We've
had 70 years before that.  We've had centuries before that.  We need a lasting
peace.  The British government should join the persuaders, should engage
positively in the peace process.  It'll be risky.  It'll be difficult.  It will

be problematic.  What we need to move forward to build peace--

KING: John, you would support that statement?



Dr. ALDERDICE: I am very glad that both the British and the Irish governments
have embarked upon a process that mean a joint declaration.  What I want to
hear is a positive response to that.  But what is not a possibility is for the
people of Northern Ireland to have all their rights set aside, and their
wish to have peace and reconciliation, to remain part of the United Kingdom,
in the case of very, very many, and indeed, an overwhelming majority, to build u
   p
good relations with the rest of the island. But what we desperately need is for
   the
the IRA to stop bombing and killing people.

Mr. ADAMS: Well then let's sit down, John.  We don't have to come to the
States. We don't have to come meet in New York for 48 hours [unintelligible]
Washington. Let's sit down and talk about how to move forward in this issue.  Le
   t's
not get involved in diversions, John.  It's a conflict.

Dr. ALDERDICE: You knew pretty well, I was cleared directly [crosstalk]

Mr. ADAMS: I don't want to be shouting you down, please don't be [crosstalk]

KING: Let me get another caller, guys.  Columbus, Ohio.  Hello.

Mr. ADAMS: Hello.  How are you doing?

2nd CALLER: [Columbus, Ohio] Yes.  You have our good luck and our prayers, but I

keep hearing the British and the Protestants going on and on like it's the
Catholics and the IRA that are doing all the killing and causing all the
problems.  Is there anything in this peace agreement that's going to stop the
Protestants from killing the Catholics and going on like it's all our fault?

KING: Isn't the agreement calling for the end of it on both sides?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, I mean, everyone has to be involved in talks. The Unionists
do have theories.

Dr. ALDERDICE: That's right. [crosstalk]

KING: John, are you-- I've got to get to break here.  I'm going to say goodbye
to John.  John, are you optimistic?

Dr. ALDERDICE: I'm not very optimistic, no, I'm not, because at this
conference tomorrow, there will not be any of the political representatives of t
   he
Unionist's side, and all the evidence is that violence on the Loyalist's side,
as that lady says, is getting much worse, precisely because it is their belief
that violence on the Republican side has got them credits, and now
unfortunately, they feel, that they've go to do exactly the same thing at the
moment. Unfortunately, though I would wish to be optimistic, I find it hard to
be so.

KING: Thank you.  That was Dr. John Alderdice, leader of the Alliance Party of
Northern Ireland.  We're going to spend a few more minutes with Gerry Adams,
President of Sinn Fein, the political party that generally in the past has
supported the IRA, and we'll take some more phone calls for Gerry, who is in
just for 48 hours on a special VISA that the President explained in that clip a

couple of moments ago.

[Commercial break]

KING: We're back with Gerry Adams.  He's on U.S. soil.  He's in New York.  He
can't travel more than 25 miles from where he is, and we go to Silver Spring,
Maryland.  Hello.

3rd CALLER: [Silver Spring, Maryland] Mr. Adams.  Welcome to our country.


Mr. ADAMS: Thank you.

3rd CALLER: As a second generation Irish-American whose people were kicked off a

farm by British people about 100 years ago, we want peace in Ireland.  We want
to unify Northern Ireland.  My question, do you think the movie, 'In the Name
of the Father' will accentuate the violence or will it help the world community
demand a peaceful solution?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, I think it can only help to inform people of one aspect of the

British injustice in Ireland.  It's obviously a dramatic presentation.  I saw
it in Belfast, and I thought it was a very good, dramatic presentation.

KING: Berkeley, California.  Hello.

4th CALLER: [Berkeley, CAlifornia] Welcome to our country.  I'm a student at UC

Berkeley, and I would like to know how young people in America and Ireland
should direct our energies to gain liberty and peace for Ireland?

Mr. ADAMS: Well I think the people should inform themselves about the situation.

I'm quite open about all of this, in terms of let people come, or inform
themselves in whatever way they can, and then come to their own conclusions.
What I want to say in terms of Irish America, as well as the wider USA,
the Irish-- and the Irish are no better than anyone else, but we're no worse.
The Irish have made a very sizeable contribution to the building up of this
Northern American nation, and we deserve, in our own country, to have the same
opportunity as people have here.  We deserve to have peace.  We need to
cooperate with the British government to bring that about, and if you can help
in any way by encouraging that forward through your congressperson, through your

trade union, to whoever you think can bring influence to bear, then do it,
because you will be doing a concrete job for peace in Ireland.

KING: Gerry, do you fear for your life at all?  Do you have a bodyguard?  There

was an attempt once, wasn't there?

Mr. ADAMS: Well, the party that I represent, and we heard [unintelligible]
earlier on about force and so on, the party that I represent has had 13 members

killed in as many months.  Women members, elected counselors, scores wounded.
Our homes have been bombed.  Children of Sinn Fein people have been killed.

KING: Even though you carry no weapons yourself?

Mr. ADAMS: No.  And I say that and I want to make this point.  I don't say that

at any sense of acrimony.  Those who tried to kill me, I will shake hands with
them tomorrow in order to move the situation forward.

KING: You will be with people tomorrow who tried to kill you?

Mr. ADAMS: I will be with the Loyalists tomorrow.  I didn't have to come to the

States today with their representatives.  I will deal with the Unionists.
They're part of our people.  They have fears.  They have been used by the
British.  They're going to be dumped by the British.  We need to build all of
us.  Catholics and Protestants and the Central Unionists and Nationalists: a
new, peaceful end.

KING: If we were to come over to Belfast, would you sit down with all the
parties and show the world what's going on?

Mr. ADAMS: Of course I would.  Absolutely.

KING: I'd like to do that.

Mr. ADAMS: You'd be very welcome.  I'll also buy you a pint of Guinness on the
[unintelligible]

KING: I won't be shot, though?


Mr. ADAMS: No, no.  You'll have your pint of Guiness.

KING: Bedford, New Hampshire.  Last call for Gerry Adams.  Hello.

5th CALLER: [Bedford, New Hampshire] Good evening, Gerry, and welcome to
America.

Mr. ADAMS: Thank you.

5th CALLER: I have a question for you.  President Clinton had initially
suggested that a peace envoy to Northern Ireland might be in order.  Do you
think this would help matters?

KING: Good question.

Mr. ADAMS: In principle, yes.  In principle, I think that the U.S. government
could play a very positive role.  It doesn't have to take sides.  But it can
encourage movement.  We're caught in a stalemate at the moment, a standoff, and

I think that President Clinton has taken a first step in permitting me to come
here, and I think that he should be encouraged to take more steps to persuade
and encourage peace in a country and for a people which deserves that, and I
have said repeatedly, both in Ireland and abroad, that if the British
government is prepared to go the extra mile, that I will go the extra mile.
That this generation of Republicans wants to take the gun permanently out of
Irish politics, you see?

KING: Do you think John Major is a step ahead of Margaret Thatcher in that
concept.

Mr. ADAMS: Well he has his own difficulties, and in many ways, I think that
those difficulties are what prevents him from focusing on some of the core
issues.  But I would like to think that he would have the courage to set aside
the obstructionism we've seen over the last number of years, and to move
forward into a new era, and President Clinton can help him to do that.  Then I,
   as
I've said on a number of occasions, will be prepared to help also, and
I'm eager to assist in moving forward a process towards peace.

KING: Thank you.  Very nice having you with us.  Thanks for being with us.

Mr. ADAMS: Larry, thank you very much.

KING: Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein.  That conference is tomorrow.
He has 48 hours in this country.


*******************************************************************************

  Mark Holohan, DEC, USA        "Character is what you are in the dark" - 
  [email protected]                                      John Whorfin
  
  The opinions expressed are mine and not necessarily the opinions of 
  Digital Equipment Corporation.

*******************************************************************************

    Personally I like the cartoons showing Adams Face with king saying.
    
     " Voice of an actor"
    
    Funny you know when Adams carried the coffin of his cohort you could
    not see his earing.  But his sympathies were on view for all to see.
    
    
    Regards
    
    Bruce

    Be serious Bruce, he's no less an actor than the English royalty. 
    Like flying in Queen Mommie to Omagh for a picture-taking
    commendation for her majesty's armed forces as they quell the
    restless Irish natives, oops make that terrorists.
    
    All the parties in NI struggle for media attention. Why should you be
    surprised Adams is any different? The British just announced some new
    declarations to help reduce the media blitz of Adams. What do they
    expect the media to do when you've censored someone for 11 years?
    
    I must agree with Adams that all of NI must be demilitarized.
    And that includes removing the IRA, the Unionist paramilitaries,
    *and* the British military. Will the British Army and Unionist
    paramilitaries renounce their violence? Will the British Army
    announce their intent to withdraw all forces from Northern Ireland
    at some date in the future? I haven't heard this from Mr. Hume.

    re.34  Good Note.
    
    If all parties involved stop the violence then maybe people will wnat
    to talk.
    
    Did you spot the flag wavers at Adams Triumphant return to Ireland.  Mr
    Holhan will dismiss them as citizens of Ireland who know nothing
    compared to his knowledge on the subject.  However I could have sworn 
    that they were not cheering Adams.  Most of them looked like they
    wanted him to talk.  Strangely Adams seemed to be tired from his truth
    trip to the US and decided not to discuss issues with them.  One chap
    just wanted him to chat about how his wife and child were killed in the
    Shankill bombing.  But earings and all he was out of there. 
    Consistency nill.  Truth nill.

 Sure, if the British forces stopped supplying hit-lists,
 to their loyalist toadies, then maybe people would 
 want to talk.  Perhaps the British forces and their
 loyalist toadies should undergo a 3-month cleansing
 to prove that they are serious about peace, then
 talks can begin.

 Wow, here's an idea, start talking right away, to
 stop the violence right away. 
 But we all know the British and their Loyalist allies
 won't do that, because they don't want peace.

                     Mark

    Re last
    
    Brilliant answer.  Persumably to another note.  Some of the Toadies
    that you refer to want answers to Mr Adams (with earings) Regrettable
    targettings that he has no knowledge off.  This is presumabl;e why he
    was pictured carrying the coffin of somebody who was not linked to the
    IRA.
    
    Keep waving the Flag Mark,  Billy (i Know nothing about all these women
    and banking affairs) is right behind you.  Unfortunately his appointed
    UK ambassador appears not to share your views.  Presumably becaues he
    has done something you have not.  ie.  Lived here !!!
    
    Adams as metioned, was happy to recieve the flag wavers in the US,  but
    noticeably less happy to receive the people who he claims support him. 
    If as you claim Mark he is a representative of the people of NI,  why
    would he choose to ignore them as oppossed to CNN.  Why not sieze the
    initiative and tell them how they have all got it wrong and he is
    really a nice guy.   Telly cameras were there (as in the US)  People
    were waving banners (as in the US).  I would guess Mark that you know
    what the true answer is.  This guy supports the bombing of shopping
    centres on armistice day parades and on mothers day.  His liking for
    human life extends to his taste in earings. 
    
    Regards
    
    Bruce 

 re. .37
> Lived here !!!

  Where is the here I need to have lived in order to
  have a view?  Do you have an opinion on apartheid?
  Have you lived in South Africa?

  If your "here" is Britian, I have lived there.  I
  lived in Harrow.  If your here is Ireland, I've
  only visited and stayed with family there, not
  lived for an extended time.  Am I now disqualified?

  Mr. Adams has already stated he wants peace, and
  a demilitarization of north east Ireland.  He also
  already stated that the bombing of civilians was
  wrong.  How much clearer does in need to be to get
  it through a British skull?

  American viewers are beginning to learn who the
  real terrorists are in north east Ireland, and that's
  what really scares the British.  The British security
  forces and their Loyalist toadies whom they pass
  hit-lists and weapons too, are the real terrorists.

                        Mark

> I lived in Harrow.

home of the sh*ttiest football ground in the league, too.

Chris.

Re: Why are the US interested in affairs in Ireland?

I think there are a variety of reasons for this:
 
 o About 20% of the US population originate from Ireland. Things of interest
   to that population are of obvious interest to the Govt. of the day.

 o  They liken the current situation in Ireland to their own situation in
    1776. The loss of life there was due to Britain staying on longer than
    they were wanted. This is a sincere effort to bring peace by getting
    all sides to talk.

 o  It's a part of the WWII war debt. Most Briton's regard American participation
    in the War as their "honorable duty". To the point that they believe it
    reflects great shame they never came in sooner. However this will come as
    complete surprise to most Americans! A more typical American view is that
    Britain was acting like the Colonial power of old, got into a complete
    mess and then begged America to help them out. When America did help
    out they didn't do so out of honour, there was a price. A more visible
    reminder of the "price" are the American forces that continue to be 
    stationed in Britain. [now back to Irish matters!] Another part of
    the deal was that Britain had to agree to pull out of all of it's Colonies.

So you can view this as America checking up on payment of the war debt!

Re: Censorship on CNN

I certainly was "pissed" at that. They did show the complete interview later
with the actor's voice instead of Adams.

The TV regulatory situation in Europe is pretty strange at the moment. There
is a "TV without frontiers" Directive that is supposed to promote European
wide services. However part of that law is that channels should carry at least
50% European produced material. Turner Broadcasting does source some CNN 
material from London, however I doubt it's as high as 50%. Their Cartoon and TNT
channel contains almost nothing European. However the British Govt. are 
shielding them from the Euro Directive. So Ted Turner has no interest in
annoying the British Govt! He needs to stay on good terms.

Mark

    RE: .40  by METSYS::THOMPSON 
    
>Re: Why are the US interested in affairs in Ireland?

>I think there are a variety of reasons for this:
 
 >o About 20% of the US population originate from Ireland. Things of interest
 >  to that population are of obvious interest to the Govt. of the day.

    I can't believe 20% of the US population originated from Ireland, but
    even if they did, most Americans of Irish descent have little knowledge
    of Ireland beyond "The Quiet Man" or "Darby O'Gill and the Little People".  
    
    They have no more interest in, nor comprehension of, the situation in
    the North than they do of what's left of Yugoslavia.
    

    
    Re: .40
    
    > About 20% of the US population originate from Ireland.
    
    I don't know specifically what you mean by this, but by some
    estimates nearly 40% of the US population have ancestors who
    were Irish immigrants.
    
    I agree with .41, however.  Most of the US population knows very
    little about nor cares what goes on in Ireland.  
    
    Steve
    

re: .42

Your interpretation is the one I concur with. 

However if the figure were 40% that would give 100 Million claiming Irish
descent. The largest figure I've heard of is 50 Million (hence the 20%).

As to whether US citizens are interested and knowledgeable.

The Feynian(sp?) movement, which is largely the originator of all Irish
"Troubles" this century, originated in America. It would be hard to
understate American involvement in Irish affairs.

I was on a ski-lift in Colorado last week. One of the uninformed  and unintereste
Americans started a conversation with "Get out of Ireland!" I was subject
to a 10 minute harangue on the matter... I think there is more
knowledge and interest in the topic than you imagine.

M

    "It would be hard to understate America's involvement in Irish affairs"
    is incorrrect. America hasn't had much at all to do with Irish affairs
    save as to supply a place to emigrate to and some political cross-
    pollination as you mention. 

    As for why Americans of part or even full Irish descent have any say
    whatsoever in Ireland's future, I can think of no reason at all. 
    Perhaps you'd like English_Americans to vote in the English bye-elections.
    

    Sorry, but Mr. Thompson is correct.  The Fenian movement had its
    roots in the USA.  The American support was crucial in the beginning
    of the movement.
    
    Although one could argue that troubles began centuries earlier with
    the English subjugation of Ireland.

    
    Perhaps you'd like to read my note. I paid homage to the concept of
    cross-pollination of political ideas. That doesn't make his sweeping
    statement true.
    
    By the way, do you typically talk about the "British subjugation of
    North America"? I only ask as you're benefiting from that one.
    

    No, I don't particularly think of a British subjugation of North
    America. It was a European subjugation/colonization.  Britain was
    one of many players.                                             

    
    The main player  - having beaten back the French. I any event, have it
    your way. The European subjugation of North America. Are you proud of
    that? How does it differ from the plantation?
    

    Yes Britain was the main player. However, there were also Dutch,
    Spanish, Portugese, Scandinavians that emigrated here and founded
    colonies, not to mention the French.
    
    Am I proud of the European subjugation / colonization? There were
    parts to be proud of and parts not to be proud of. Certainly, the
    development of a federal democracy is something to be proud of.
    However, the eradication and forced resettlement of the Native
    Americans is a very low point in the history.
    
    From plantation you are referring to Ulster?

    
    Sure, the plantation of the north of Ireland. The way you use the word
    subjugation, you'd think it wasn't part of almost everyone's history.
    Those in glass houses ..
    

    America itself colonized/conquered/subjugated much of North America.
    Pick your verb. I'll be the first one to admit that. And other
    countries in Europe have colonized/conquered/subjugated just as the
    British have done in Ireland. So what?
    
    > Those in glass houses ..
    Shouldn't walk around naked?
    Enjoy radiant heat?
    Have trouble deciding where the sofa should go?
    Shouldn't talk about NI?
    
    :v)

    
    Right, well all you have to do is keep that in mind when you chastise
    Britain for her history.
    

    RE: .46  by NOVA::EASTLAND 
    
    >By the way, do you typically talk about the "British subjugation of
    >North America"? I only ask as you're benefiting from that one.
    
    Not since Yorktown.
    

    
    Exactly..

                        CBS/Sky News Censor Irish News
                              BY LIAM O COILEAIN

                      (from An Phoblacht/Republican News)
                               (August 18, 1994)


Irish Prime Minister, Albert Reynolds, Unionist leader Peter Robinson and a CBS
news reporter were all silenced in a radical interpretation of the British
government's broadcasting ban last Sunday, 14 August, as an entire news report
was broadcast to millions of viewers without sound or subtitles.

The story which was censored was a piece on current political developments in
Ireland and marking the 25th anniversary of troops, presented by CBS Evening
News reporter Cinny Kennard. CBS news programmes are daily rebroadcast on the
Sky News network, available in Britain and Ireland.

Sky News itself follows the British broadcasting restrictions as does every
other British news service, substituting Sinn Fein spokespersons' voices for an
actor or using subtitles. However the rebroadcast American news item was shown
with no sound. For the duration of the item a notice appeared on screen telling
viewe rs that ''Due to government restrictions sound cannot be broadcast''.
Albert Reynolds and Peter Robinson joined Martin McGuinness and CBS's own
reporter in silence, their combined wisdom available only to qualified lip
readers. AP/RN rang the CBS office in London to try to find out who was
actually responsible for censoring the CBS programmes which appear on Sky News.
A producer in the office said that as far as she was aware this was the second
time a news report on Ireland had been broadcast in complete silence. She
described this practice as ''insane'', adding that she was ''not sure where the
decision came from''.   ''It doesn't make any sense at all.''

AP/RN then tried the Foreign Desk of CBS in New York. A spokesperson there
admitted that he was unfamiliar with British censorship laws but promised to
check. Before hanging up he asked if we could perhaps send him over details of
the exact rules and regulations which censor republicans. AP/RN politely
declined. A CBS spokesperson later rang back and said that it was a matter for
Sky News.

On Wednesday AP/RN contacted Liz Roberts, Head of Publicity with Sky News. She
could not say whether CBS or Sky News was responsible for censoring the reports
but she repeatedly told this reporter that Sky News was bound to comply with
the terms of the law. When AP/RN reminded Roberts that Sky News reports
complied with the law censoring Sinn Fein but that rebroadcast CBS reports on
the same station were obviously subject to complete censorship, which the law
does not require, we were promised that the matter would be checked out fully.

As we go to press it is still unclear which of the news stations was
responsible for cutting the sound but AP/RN will follow up and report on
developments next week.

Sinn Fein Director of Publicity, Rita O'Hare, commenting on the news item in
question said: ''It is ironic that news items from a country which prides
itself on freedom of information are being so crudely censored for foreign
audiences.''

    Sounds like a cock-up to me, actually. We don't have news items
    broadcast in complete silence here and we certainly don't have the
    Irish Prime Minister censored in any way. 

    No, not the Irish P.M.  But they did censor Jorde La Forge
    on an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", because he
    mentioned the words "Irish Reunification".

    Err, George, I think that was Geordi La Forge....
    
    The social workers in space strike again!!!
    
    Joe.

    Oh, sorry, I thought it was a Spanish spelling.  Dammit Joe,
    I'm just a ship's doctor, not a spell checker...

    :-)
    
    George, which episode of start trek did  cheif engineer Scott(y) save
    the Enterprise from certain doom?
    
    Simon

re: censorship on CBS/Sky

I can confirm that certain parts of the programs were censored last
night. I think Sky runs ABC and CBS evening news. I can't comment
on NBC Superchannel, did anyone see that?

I would tend to blame Sky. They have the technology to switch 
to local commercials and they would be in the best position
to censor the show. Also, as it is live from the US they have
no chance to dub the broadcast, so they may have opted for a
complete ban. 

I mentioned in another note that Larry King interviewed Gerry Adams. 
The broadcast I caught this morning had a voiceover, did anyone
see the show live? (In Europe).

Mark