A muted response from members of US committee

Political reaction in Washington to the decision by Mr Gerry Adams not to come to today's hearing was muted.

A spokesman for the House Committee on International Relations noted a lost opportunity for Sinn FΘin to explain itself on a matter that "presents a direct threat to US national interests". But the statement pulled no punches in referring explicitly to questions about "two IRA explosives experts".

Mr Peter King, a New York Republican and long-time supporter of Sinn FΘin, said that he respected Mr Adams's decision not to attend. He added that he believed nothing new would come out of what would be a pointless hearing.

In a statement the committee's communications director, Mr Sam Strattman, said "the committee invitation to Sinn FΘin was an opportunity for Mr Adams to offer some explanation of why two IRA explosives experts and a Sinn FΘin political officer stationed in Cuba were arrested last August following a visit to a safe haven controlled by the FARC.

"FARC and other narco-terrorist groups in Colombia are responsible for 90 per cent of the cocaine and 70 per cent of the heroin sold on American streets.

"Terrorism imperils Colombian democracy and the alleged IRA role in helping groups like these perpetuates their violence and presents a direct threat to US national interests."

When the committee meets today it is likely that at most, 20 of its 49 members will attend. In the past, several of them have shown a considerable commitment to Irish issues. Among the Republicans, the former committee chairman, Mr Ben Gilman, and Mr King, both New Yorkers, have been very active.

The current committee chairman, Mr Henry Hyde (Illinois), and the chair of the European subcommittee, Mr Elton Gallegly (California), have also expressed an interest in Irish affairs. On the Democratic side, those actively involved have been Mr Bill Delahunt (Massachusetts), Mr Joe Crowley (New York), Mr Bob Menendez (New Jersey), also a strong critic of US Colombia policy, and Mr Don Payne (New Jersey).

Meanwhile the committee's chairman, Mr Hyde, has been accused of endangering the lives of the three suspects in Colombia and jeopardising due process in their trial by conducting the hearing.

The president of the Irish National Caucus, the Rev Sean McManus, said, "There is a real danger that Hyde's reckless conduct will be seen as an open invitation by right-wing extremists in Colombia to assassinate the three Irishmen."

But the national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mr Thomas Gilligan, has defended the chairman and the hearing which he says is not a threat to the peace process. He said Mr Hyde was "no dupe" and could cast important light on the Colombian drugs trade.