US leaders urged to be tougher with Sinn Fein
American politicians have been urged to get tough with Sinn Fein over the IRA's links to terrorist organisations in Colombia and around the world.
Ulster Unionists issued the call as a party delegation headed to Washington and New York.
They are to meet US politicians and brief editorial boards on the IRA's links to left-wing FARC guerrillas in Colombia and other international terror groups such as ETA.
The delegation consisting of Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson, Lord Maginnis and Belfast councillor Chris McGimpsey claimed the arrests of three Irishmen in Colombia had "sent shockwaves through the political process in Northern Ireland".
Mr Donaldson said: "It is very important that the US Congress is aware of the seriousness of the IRA-FARC link - particularly as it is estimated that 80% of cocaine and 70% of heroin entering the United States comes from Colombia.
"It is important that the administration in Washington recognises the IRA is in the same camp as Colombian terrorists dedicated to peddling cocaine and heroin on the streets of the United States.
"The FARC have carried numerous attacks on American citizens and companies in Colombia.
"As democrats, we have to ask the question: if the IRA is committed to peace, why is it forging close and dangerous relationships with drug barons and Marxist guerrillas?
"The United States has been the bulwark against the threat of terrorist anarchy in the world. We will be urging politicians to take the appropriate action in terms of their approach to Sinn Fein/IRA."
The Ulster Unionist delegation's visit to the US coincides with the arrival in Dublin of George W Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Richard Haass.
