IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) ASSAULT ON THE UNITED STATES??

 11/10/93

IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) ASSAULT ON THE UNITED STATES??

By: Ralph Denago

BOSTON, MA - Rumors are reportedly circulating here about the

possibility of an "armed terrorist attack" on the United

States by the Irish Republican Army (IRA).  A small Irish-

American group that is closely associated with NORAID (North

American Irish Aid Society) is quoted as saying that the

United States has adapted the "failed policies of Britian and

is certain to suffer the consequences of it's `imperialist'

folly".

While dismissed as "poppycock" by several leading local and

federal law enforcement officials, at least one Chicago area

counter-terrorist analyst says there are facts that point to

increasing activities by IRA operatives in the United States.

According to Clark Staten, Executive Director of the Chicago-

based Emergency Response & Research Institute, the IRA has

recently demonstrated it's capability of operating within the

continental United States.  Staten points to the recent

arrest of an IRA "cell" in New York City that is charged in

connection with a $7.4 million dollar armored car robbery,

and a major increase in fund-raising efforts in American bars

and business establishments by IRA supporters.

Secondarily, Staten says that the release of a private letter

from President Bill Clinton to New York City Mayor David

Dinkins has angered both the IRA and some Irish Americans.

The letter, leaked to a reporter for the Irish Times, said

that President Clinton was denying a travel visa to Senn Fein

President Gerry Adams because of his involvement in

"terrorist activities".  Senn Fein is admittedly the

political wing of the IRA, but it's members deny any

complicity in terrorism.  The denial of an entry visa to

Adams is seen by many anti-terrorist experts as merely an

extension of an ongoing policy which bans Adams and other

members of the suspected terrorist organizations.  But,

the ban undoubtedly angers IRA advocates.

Although the potential actions of the IRA, directed against

the United States, aren't clear in nature at this juncture,

counter-terrorist experts say that additional attention needs

to be paid to the those that would carry out retribution against 

the United States or her allies.