Letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair

November 18, 2004

The Rt Honorable Tony Blair MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
United Kingdom

Dear Prime Minister Blair:

We are writing to encourage you to make a strong effort in the critical upcoming weeks to restore the political institutions in Northern Ireland.

Like you and Prime Minister Ahern, we are encouraged by the progress made by Sinn Fein in the negotiations and the apparent readiness of the IRA, at long last, to engage in a final act of decommissioning. We believe that a unique moment of opportunity may well be at hand.

We are deeply concerned, however, that the refusal to date of the DUP to share power with Sinn Fein is the principal obstacle preventing the parties from reaching agreement. We sincerely hope you will make clear to the DUP that full implementation of the Belfast Agreement is essential, and that if the DUP continues to refuse to do so, the party will not be allowed to block forward movement for the people of Northern Ireland.

We agree that a diplomatic opening has emerged in the Middle East, and we pledge to do all we can to support a just and lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. We hope, however, in the critical upcoming weeks in Northern Ireland, that your government will also work vigorously to complete the Northern Ireland peace process. We urge you to give high priority to persuading the DUP to enter into the Government of Northern Ireland and restore the democratic institutions on a permanent basis.

We agree that both the IRA and the Loyalists must decommission and end all paramilitary activity, and we will continue to press Sinn Fein on these issues. We look forward to working with you on these goals and to achieve a just and lasting peace in Northern Ireland. With great respect and appreciation,

Sincerely,

Senators Dodd (D-CT), Kennedy (D-Ma), Leahy (D-VT), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Clinton (D-NY), Durbin (D-IL), Schumer (D-NY), and Corzine. (D-NJ).