Sinn Fein support in US still strong - Adams
Irish-American support for Sinn Fein is as solid as ever, says party president Gerry Adams.
Mr Adams says the war on terrorism since the September 11 attacks has not affected his party.
He also says the IRA's move on decommissioning has nothing to do with the current mood against terrorism.
Speaking before a £330-a-plate dinner in New York, Mr Adams said: "There has been no decrease in support for Sinn Fein."
Proceeds from this dinner, expected to raise £330,000, are to go to families of construction workers killed when the World Trade Centre collapsed, in a gesture which Mr Adams said was designed to show support to a group which had been "the backbone" of Sinn Fein's fundraising in America.
But Mr Adams acknowledged there were concerns within the Irish-American community at the decommissioning move, saying that he realised emotions may be "raw".
But he added: "I think that people here - those in the republican constituency - are too sophisticated and those who support us know the difference between what has been happening in Ireland and what happened in this city on September 11.
"One of the effects of September 11 was to affect all progressive struggles everywhere in the world."
Mr Adams said he believed republican supporters in America would back his leadership and said: "I think people here generally see themselves as acting in solidarity with the struggle back home.
"There are raw emotions. There would be a much more raw feeling if you live in Bombay Street, if you live in the Ardoyne, if you have been the victim of a loyalist pogrom."
