Thirty-six members of the US Congress, representing Republicans and Democrats and 43 states, have signed an appeal to President Bush to keep Ireland's peace process high on his agenda, writes Patrick Smyth, Washington Correspondent.
Among the signatories are Democratic senators Mr Ted Kennedy, Mrs Hillary Clinton, Mr Chris Dodd, Mr Joe Lieberman, the Democratic candidate for the vice-presidency, Mr Bob Torricelli, and Mr Patrick Leahy. From the House, among others, are Mr Ben Gilman, Mr Peter King, Mr Jack Quinn, Mr Jim Walsh, and Mr Joe Crowley.
Initiated by the non-partisan US-Ireland Alliance, and signed by some 400 people, the letter reminds the President of the 44 million Americans who claim Irish extraction and of their interest in the peace process.
(Full letter and signatories on the Irish Times website).