Members of the US House of Representatives have told the British Prime Minister they are becoming "increasingly concerned about the pace of the peace talks and the apparent unwillingness of some of the parties to engage in substantive and meaningful negotiations".
The letter to Mr Blair says the opportunity exists to end the bitter and tragic conflict in Northern Ireland, an opportunity that is unprecedented. "There is hope on both sides of the Atlantic that the historic talks being chaired by Senator George Mitchell at Stormont Castle can achieve a just and lasting settlement for the people of Ireland."
To accomplish this goal, all parties must be willing to put aside their fears and suspicions, and enter into direct negotiations with one another. While there is talk of peace, "many areas and communities have seen little tangible evidence of it". There are 16,000 British troops who are seen as threatening and provocative.
"Movement on prisoners, a critical issue to both republican and loyalist communities, has been extremely slow." The letter concludes: "As we begin the Christmas season, it is critical that confidence-building measures be taken to help underpin the talks process. To maintain momentum and move the negotiations forward, leaders must be willing to take risks for peace." The letter is signed by Mr Richard E. Neal, Mr Peter King, Ms Carolyn McCarthy, Mr Michael F. Doyle, Mr Bruce Vento, Mr James P. Moran, Mr Frank Mascara, Mr Rick Lazio, Mr Mark Fo ley, Mr Frank Pallone, Mr Gary Ackerman, Mr Charles Rangel, Mr Michael Forbes, Mr William J. Coyne, Mr Robert Menendez, Mr Barney Frank, Mr Jack Quinn, Mr Jay W. Johnson, Ms Marge Roukema, Mr Joseph P. Kennedy, Mr Tim Holden and Mr Sherrod Brown.