
THE ORANGE ORDER has asked for a meeting with the US Consul
in Northern Ireland to discuss the future of the three IRA
men convicted of terrorist offences in Columbia.
In a letter to Dean Pittman, the Order says it wants to know
what efforts the American Government is making to ensure that
the so-called Columbia Three are extradited back to Bogot�
from the Irish Republic where they resurfaced in mysterious
circumstances last month.
The Order has also written to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern,
and to the Prime Minister Tony Blair expressing its concern
that the three IRA men may be allowed to escape justice in
spite of the Irish and British governments' stated commitment
to the war against global terrorism.
In its letter to Mr. Ahern, the Order says: "Please advise
us of your views on links between republican terrorism and
other terrorist organisations, and whether the Republic of
Ireland feels that these are acceptable or permissible in
the present climate."
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