Sinn Fein leader's White House visit sparks controversy

By JON FEINBERG
Collegian Staff Writer

Instead of downing pitchers of green beer like much of the rest of America, President Clinton will celebrate St. Patrick's Day by hosting a diplomatic visit from one of Ireland's most controversial political figures.

Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), will wrap up his 10-day American fund-raising tour by paying a visit to the White House today.

While British Prime Minister John Major has voiced his displeasure with the visit, many are calling Clinton's willingness to host a leader with such strong ties to the terroristic IRA a severe departure from typical American policy.

"I think it probably does represent a considerable change in Washington policy to the Irish nationalist cause," said Steven Knowlton, assistant professor of journalism. Since the late 1960s, Knowlton said American policy has been closely allied with British policy in its attempts to prevent the IRA from receiving money from people in the United States.

Adams' visit, Knowlton said, is a significant change from one year ago, as members of Sinn Fein have increasingly shown during the past six to 12 months that they are interested in a solution to the problems in Northern Ireland.

The change has led to increased hopes among many people that peaceful negotiations will replace violence.

"It has been clear for a long time that you cannot achieve in Ireland . . . a solution at gunpoint," Knowlton said. However, he said it is inconceivable that there will be any peace unless there is a united Ireland.

Even though Sinn Fein has been connected with violence in the past, many think that the organization's willingness to talk about solutions is a positive sign.

"If they are making overtures toward a political settlement," Knowlton said, "I would think we would have to take heart to that."

Some University students agree that Clinton is justified in meeting with Adams even though he has ties to a terrorist organization.

"I suppose as long as it's an attempt to get peace, it's alright talk to him," said Brian Mills (sophomore-communications). However, Mills said Clinton should not use the meeting as an opportunity to make another ally.

But other people disagree with Clinton's motivations in meeting with Adams.

"He could either be butting his nose in or trying to help something that can't be helped," said Jill Markley (sophomore-communications). In addition, Markley said the United States should probably leave the solution of the conflict up to the IRA.

"It's something that they have to work at between them and England," she said.

Perhaps the greatest opposition to Clinton's meeting with Adams is on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Simon Duke, assistant professor of political science, who was in England last week, said a headline reading "So long, nice while it lasted," summed up the British press' view of how the meeting will affect relations between England and the United States.

Although the headline may be a bit sensational, Duke said, it is a sign of British objections to Adams' fund-raising activities in the United States.

In addition, he said the British government is upset because Adams has not given a specific promise as to whether he will break his links with the IRA.

Another reason behind the British government's objections to the meeting is that it believes the Americans are meddling in a conflict that many people in England consider to be a domestic issue, Duke said.

The conflict between the British and American governments is just the latest in a series of problems between Clinton and Major, Duke said.

"Relations between Clinton and Major have not been the best," he said. "This is just the icing on the cake."

However, Duke said England and the United States have had a history of getting over conflicts and maintaining their special relationship.

"I think it would be farfetched to say this is the end of the special relationship," he said.