Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams is beginning a four-day visit to the United States today for meetings linked to the peace process.
Mr Adams, who is visiting Boston and New York, said the trip was an opportunity to meet "friends of the peace process".
He added: "The US administration and Irish Americans have been long-term allies of the Irish peace process, and they continue to provide support at this time of crisis in the process".
The Sinn Féin leader will talk with Senator Ted Kennedy and Massachusetts members of Congress.
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He will also have talks with Mr Richard Haass, President Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, who has made repeated trips to Northern Ireland in a bid to push forward the peace process.
PA