Republicans have seriously damaged their credibility in the Northern Ireland peace process following the arrests of three Irishmen in Colombia, the UUP leader Mr David Trimble said tonight.
In his first public statement on the arrests of Mr Niall Connolly, Mr Martin McCauley and Mr James Monaghan in Colombia, Mr Trimble said republicans had "a mountain to climb" to regain the confidence of other parties in the peace process.
He said the arrests of the three men by Colombian authorities for allegedly using illegal documentation and training FARC rebels had damaged Sinn Féin and the IRA's credibility in the eyes of those who were "prepared to give them the time and opportunity to prove their sincerity".
"What is not in dispute is that very senior members of the republican movement including those who have graced Sinn Féin platforms in the past were engaged with FARC - one of the most vicious terrorist organisations in the world," he said.
"What that does is destroy their credibility."
Mr Trimble was responding to Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams's insistence in an article for an Irish American newspaper this week that his party had nothing to answer on the arrests of three men.
Mr Adams said in the Irish Voicethis week that the three suspects in Colombia were undergoing "trial by media" in much the same way as the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four in the 1970s.
"I can say with certainty they were not there representing Sinn Féin" he wrote.
"I would have had to authorise such a project and I did not do so. Neither was I or anyone else asked to."
Mr Trimble commented after it emerged two RUC officers have travelled to Colombia to assist the investigation into the three men's activities.
However, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monagahan, Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, claimed the RUC's involvement would only heighten fears that these men will not receive a fair hearing.
"What possible reason do the RUC have for travelling thousands of miles to partake in the investigation involving three Irishmen?" he asked.
"The RUC do not act impartially in the Six Counties. They will not do so in Colombia either," he argued.
PA