SANDS-MCKEVITT'S APPLICATION FOR US VISA TURNED DOWN
Sands-McKevitt's application for US visa turned down
By Joe Carroll, in Washington and Carol Coulter
THE US administration has decided to refuse an entry visa for Ms Bernadette Sands-McKevitt, vice-chairwoman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
Meanwhile, a leading member of the committee, Mr Francie Mackey, has said that he condemns last Saturday's Omagh bombing, reversing the position he adopted earlier this week. The committee is the political wing of the 'Real IRA', which killed 28 people in the Omagh bombing.
Ms Sands-McKevitt will be informed shortly by the US embassy in Dublin that her application for a visa to enter the US in September has been refused. She had planned to pursue her movement's objectives through a submission to the UN in New York.
A State Department spokesman commented: "The people of Ireland voted overwhelmingly for the Belfast Agreement. People need to listen to the voice of the people."
Mark Brennock writes: Mr Mackey, a councillor, evaded a barrage of reporters' questions last Monday asking him to condemn the Omagh bombing. He agreed to a unanimous motion at Omagh District Council last Monday condemning the bombing. However, asked by reporters outside if he condemned the attack, he sidestepped the question.
"We are back to word games here", he said. "No amount of words can alleviate the suffering of the bereaved and injured. I have categorically stated that there can be no justification for what took place." He said he would not engage in word games by using the word "condemn".
However, Mr Mackey has since changed his position. According to the Ulster Herald, he now rejects reports that he had not condemned the bombing, pointing out that he agreed to the council motion condemning the attack. "Later that day, I continued to make my position clear when I said the killing of innocent people 'cannot be justified in any circumstances'." He added: "I totally condemn Saturday's atrocity."
By Joe Carroll, in Washington and Carol Coulter
THE US administration has decided to refuse an entry visa for Ms Bernadette Sands-McKevitt, vice-chairwoman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
Meanwhile, a leading member of the committee, Mr Francie Mackey, has said that he condemns last Saturday's Omagh bombing, reversing the position he adopted earlier this week. The committee is the political wing of the 'Real IRA', which killed 28 people in the Omagh bombing.
Ms Sands-McKevitt will be informed shortly by the US embassy in Dublin that her application for a visa to enter the US in September has been refused. She had planned to pursue her movement's objectives through a submission to the UN in New York.
A State Department spokesman commented: "The people of Ireland voted overwhelmingly for the Belfast Agreement. People need to listen to the voice of the people."
Mark Brennock writes: Mr Mackey, a councillor, evaded a barrage of reporters' questions last Monday asking him to condemn the Omagh bombing. He agreed to a unanimous motion at Omagh District Council last Monday condemning the bombing. However, asked by reporters outside if he condemned the attack, he sidestepped the question.
"We are back to word games here", he said. "No amount of words can alleviate the suffering of the bereaved and injured. I have categorically stated that there can be no justification for what took place." He said he would not engage in word games by using the word "condemn".
However, Mr Mackey has since changed his position. According to the Ulster Herald, he now rejects reports that he had not condemned the bombing, pointing out that he agreed to the council motion condemning the attack. "Later that day, I continued to make my position clear when I said the killing of innocent people 'cannot be justified in any circumstances'." He added: "I totally condemn Saturday's atrocity."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH TIMES
Ref: IT/145
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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