A GROUP of influential Irish Americans who helped to bring about the 1994 IRA ceasefire will travel to Belfast and Dublin this weekend for discussions with Sinn Fein, the SDLP, unionists, Alliance, loyalists and British and Irish ministers and officials.
The group will be led by former Congressman, Mr Bruce Morrison. He will be accompanied by Mr Niall O'Dowd, editor of the Irish Voice Mr Charles (Chuck) Feeney, a businessman and Mr Joe Jamison, a trade union official. Another businessman, Mr William Flynn, had intended to travel with the group but this has not proved possible because of meetings.
A Sinn Fein press release announcing the visit said that this mission at the invitation of its president, Mr Gerry Adams, will allow the group "an opportunity to assess at first hand the current difficulties and identify how a new and credible peace process can be constructed. This could help strengthen the international pressure for a real and meaningful process of negotiations".
It is understood the visit was meant to take place at the beginning of August but was postponed because of difficulties in agreeing dates. Sources close to the group say the visit is not linked with the recent reports of an IRA convention to decide on a permanent ceasefire.
The Sinn Fein press release from its general secretary, Ms Lucilita Bhreatnach, says Mr Adams suggested some time ago that Mr Morrison and his colleagues should return to Ireland on a "fact finding mission and meet the widest possible range of interested parties".