By Daisy Ayliffe - 4th October 2005
Brussels cannot solved the Anglo-Irish conflict Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told EU officials on Wednesday.
In his first visit to the European Parliament, Adams said international forums would be mistaken to think they held the solution to Northern Ireland’s troubles.
“The peace process can only be solved on the ground - by the combatants,” he explained.
“The international community can aid the process but it would be mistaken to think it holds the answer.”
Adams arrives in Brussels to meet MEPs and EU Regional Commissioner, Danuta Hubner as part of a one day “listen and learn” trip focussing on securing more funding for the peace process.
A new vista
Little more than a week after General John de Chastelain, head of the arms decommissioning body, said the IRA had put all of its weapons beyond use, Adams hailed a “new vista” for Northern Ireland.
“This is a singular achievement,” the Sinn Fein leader declared.
“This is the first time ever that militant republicans have been de-militarised.”
“All guns are beyond use and this has been verified by independent witnesses.”
“It may take sections of the media some time to process the fullness of the IRA promise,” he insisted.
Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson said he would seek “genuine confirmation” that all weapons have been destroyed.
“We also need to know whether or not the IRA is going to end all its other activities and dismantle its vast criminal empire,” he added.
No red carpet
Unionists are dismissing the Adam’s visit as a “non-event.”
“This trip is nothing to get worked up about. There is no red carpet for Gerry Adams in Brussels,” an Ulster Unionist official told EUpolitix.
Critics suggest Adams was refused meetings with President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso as well as Franco Frattini.
Sinn Fein is rejecting this assertion and claims no body they approached refused to meet them.
“I am not certain why we could not meet Barrosso,” a Sinn Fein spokesman replied.
“We would be keen to meet him and it is certainly not the case that he refused to meet us.”
Barroso’s office confirmed Sinn Fein did ask for a meeting - but say the president’s schedule was too busy to oblige their request.
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