February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Ray O’Hanlon and Susan Falvella-Garraty
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Ben Gilman is angry that British Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Mandelson will not testify at an upcoming hearing of the House Committee on International Relations.
Gilman, who chairs the committee, has written to Mandelson expressing his disappointment that he will not appear at the committee’s Northern Ireland hearing "especially after you indicated on March 16 . . . that you would come."
In an earlier letter to Gilman, Mandelson said he was glad to have met Gilman and some members of the committee while he was in Washington for St. Patrick’s Day.
"Although I am happy to meet you and your colleagues from time to time informally, as on that occasion, it would not be appropriate for me as a member of the British government to give testimony to a formal meeting of your committee.
"I should be happy to send, via our Embassy, a written briefing note on areas of interest to the committee."
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Before the Mandelson letter to Gilman, a spokesman at the British Embassy in Washington flagged Mandelson’s response to the committee invitation when he told the Echo that it would be "quite odd" for any members of a foreign government to give evidence to the committee.
Gilman sees it otherwise. In his letter to Mandelson, the Rockland County Republican said there was "enormous" interest in Congress with regard to Northern Ireland and that "all of those committee members were looking forward to our proposed committee session."
Gilman added: "Since your decision to suspend the power-sharing institutions, things have gone from bad to worse in the search for a lasting peace and justice, along with timely and much needed policing reform. We had hoped to discuss these and other important issues with you in depth at the proposed audio/video conference before the Committee.
Gilman pointed out that "many governments" had sent representatives to testify before the committee. He listed a number of representatives from countries such as Russia, Argentina and El Salvador.
"The search for a lasting peace and justice in the north of Ireland is one that requires trust and confidence-building on all sides," Gilman wrote. "I hope that you will reconsider your decision and come before our Committee."
The hearing will likely be held in early May. Mandelson will be offered the option of appearing via video link.