President Bush Excludes Gerry Adams from St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Pressures I.R.A. on Violence and Criminality

President George W. Bush delivered a clear message to the Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.) on Thursday, excluding Gerry Adams, the leader of its political wing, from the traditional White House celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The move is seen as a step up in pressure on the group to end what the White House called violence and criminality. In a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, Bush praised Ahern for his "tireless work in the struggle against terrorism on St. Patrick's island." The President also met with the family of Robert McCartney, a 29-year-old man who was brutally murdered in Belfast on January 30.

Key Takeaways:

• The White House excluded Gerry Adams, the leader of the I.R.A.'s political wing, from the traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration, a move seen as pressure on the group to end violence and criminality.
• President Bush met with the family of Robert McCartney, who was beaten and stabbed to death on January 30 after a bar fight, reportedly involving I.R.A. members.
• The McCartney family has been leading a drive in Northern Ireland to bring the killers to justice, facing intimidation from the I.R.A.
• Administration officials said the invitation to the McCartney family was to make a point that the United States would not conduct business as usual with Sinn Fein.
• Gerry Adams, the I.R.A. leader, has regularly attended St. Patrick's Day festivities at the White House in the past.
• Adams described the conditions for a final agreement in Northern Ireland as "a process of humiliating" the I.R.A.
• Adams met with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern in Washington on Wednesday, the first senior-level meeting between Sinn Fein and the Irish government in months.

Statistics:

• The White House has made it clear that the United States would not conduct business as usual with Sinn Fein.
• The I.R.A. has been involved in violence and criminality in Northern Ireland.
• Robert McCartney was 29 years old when he was murdered in Belfast on January 30.
• The meeting between Gerry Adams and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on Wednesday was the first senior-level meeting between Sinn Fein and the Irish government in months.
• The agreement between Britain, Ireland, and other factions in Northern Ireland was close to finalization last year but foundered over the I.R.A.'s objections.

Sources:

• "President Bush delivered a pointed message on Thursday to the Irish Republican Army..."

Source: The New York Times, March 15, 2005.