The relationship between the IRA and South American left-wing guerrillas will be examined by the US administration this week with the arrival in Belfast of President Bush's special adviser, Mr Richard Haass.
Sinn Fein has also confirmed that its president, Mr Gerry Adams, intends making his visit to Cuba. It is understood he will then visit the US to confront criticism over the relationship between the IRA and the Colombian FARC guerrillas.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that FARC guerrillas have been using an almost exact replica of the IRA's Mark 15 mortar since 1998. Security sources in the Republic have confirmed that the IRA has been instructing FARC on its construction and use. The sources said that the head of the IRA's mortar development is known to have visited Colombia several times since at least 1999.
The relationship between the two groups was detailed in an issue of the authoritative military and security publication, Jane's Intelligence Review (JIR), in May this year, three months before the three Irishmen were arrested in Bogota after visiting the area controlled by FARC.
In Washington a formal hearing at the House Committee on International Relations is likely if there is new evidence that the IRA had been involved with FARC. Such a hearing may raise concerns about the US relationship with key players in the Irish peace process.
It is expected Mr Haass will question the Sinn Fein leadership about its relationship with the three men, Mr James Monaghan, Mr Martin McCauley and Mr Niall Connolly, who were moved to a new jail in Bogota yesterday, following fears for their safety.
He is to speak to the British government in London today and will then travel to Belfast to meet the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, and the main parties.
Meanwhile Mr Adams criticised "the opportunistic way that the arrests of three Irishmen in Colombia was seized upon. I have no doubt that these arrests will continue to be exploited by opponents of the Good Friday agreement, and by others who should know better, for sectional electoral purposes," he said.
