IAUC Welcomes Statement from Obama; Reflects on 25th Anniversary Conference and the Road Ahead

October 13, 2008—The IAUC welcomes Senator Obama’s responses to the joint IAUC/AOH/LAOH questionnaire on Irish issues. The questionnaire, which was submitted to both Presidential candidates, was truly a collaborative effort and the result of months of hard work between Irish American leaders and the Obama campaign.

Senator Obama’s statement comes on the heels of the IAUC’s 25th anniversary conference, which highlighted the critical nature of continued Irish American involvement and engagement in the Irish peace process. The conference featured dynamic presentations by Seán Mitchell of Forbairt Feirste on Belfast’s Irish language revival and the economic potential of developing West Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter; Sinn Féin’s Declan Kearney on power-sharing and Irish American contributions to the Irish peace process; Relatives for Justice’s Mark Thompson on dealing with the legacy of the past; John Finucane on the campaign for an independent, public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane; immigration attorney Jim Byrne on the legal status of Irish republican ex-prisoners living in the United States; and a live video presentation direct from Belfast featuring Danny Morrison and Ciaran Ferry.

Immediately following the 25th anniversary conference the Obama campaign released a statement responding to a questionnaire dealing with key issues to the Irish American commnity. IAUC National President Kate McCabe said, “In particular, we applaud Senator Obama’s statement in support of a truth recovery process and for a independent, public inquiry into the Finucane murder as recommended by Judge Peter Cory. We hope Obama’s statements will send a clear message to the British government that Irish America will not stop applying pressure until we get to the truth—our support does not wane with passing time but only gets stronger. Furthermore, we will fervently resist any attempt to isolate the Finucane family from the broader truth recovery process that is so critical to reconciliation efforts in the North.”

The IAUC enthusiastically embraces Senator Obama’s engagement in several key Irish issues as outlined in his response to the IAUC/AOH/LAOH questionnaire. With less than a month to go before the Presidential election, Senator Obama has chosen to voice his support for a range of critical issues that are necessary to promote the struggle for truth and substantive equality in which Irish America is so intimately involved.

We are hopeful that America’s involvement in promoting justice, cross-community reconciliation and substantive equality will continue unabated under the next Presidential administration. The IAUC looks forward to Senator McCain’s responses to the joint questionnaire.

At the conference, Mark Thompson, director of victims’ group Relatives for Justice, addressed the central role that Irish America has played in using our collective clout for the betterment of Irish society. Speaking on the importance of our continued involvement, Thompson said, “We are in a time of civil, social and political transition in which it might appear that the bulk of that task is completed—a time when perhaps there may not appear to be an urgency as there once was with regard to ensuring the completion of that project —I would say that there is an even greater vigilance and effort required…today. Whilst agreement can be achieved, back-peddling and reneging on commitment is oftentimes the experienced outcome—take the Inquiries Act, the Irish Language, devolution of Policing and Criminal Justice.

“So when concerning transition around truth and justice regarding the British state’s role in the conflict – its dirty war and the human cost of its systemic policies and practices– equal vigilance is required in dealing with that past,” urged Thompson.

John Finucane’s remarks at the conference embody the spirit and determination of the IAUC and Irish America moving forward. Finucane compared the almost 20-year campaign his family has been fighting to climbing a mountain, with the summit as the truth. As we near the summit and get closer to the truth, Finucane said, progress slows to a near halt, the terrain (in the form of resistance from the British government) gets more difficult, and each step requires more effort.

However, the Finucanes and their supporters around the world remain undaunted. Finucane said, “They may have taken Pat’s life, but they did not stop what he could do. Pat’s family, his friends, colleagues, admirers and supporters, in Ireland and across the world, will not stop until the truth is known. None who believe that it is right to stand up and be counted in the quest for the truth behind the murder of Pat Finucane will stop until that truth is known.”

Irish American groups must continue to challenge injustice and encourage stability and lasting change in Ireland. The IAUC is committed to working collaboratively with other Irish American groups, Irish organizations, and politicians worldwide to find the best way forward.