FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         IMM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1997                         (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

      STATEMENT REGARDING SUSPENSION OF REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
                     FOR SIX IRISH NATIONALS 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Acting on a formal request from the
Secretary of State, the Attorney General today suspended the
removal proceedings of certain Irish nationals who have engaged
in activity on behalf of the Irish Republican Army.  In her
letter to the Attorney General, the Secretary of State indicated
that a suspension of the proceedings could contribute to the
peace process in Northern Ireland.

     The Attorney General and the Secretary of State stressed
that today's action represented neither an approval of any acts
of terrorism in which these individuals may have been involved,
nor an acceptance of the legal arguments against deportation that
have been advanced in some of their cases.  Instead, the measure
was taken to advance the ongoing peace process and all-party
talks in Northern Ireland, which the Administration has strongly
supported.

     The six individuals currently in proceedings are Robert
McErlean, Matthew Morrison, Gabriel Megahey, Brian Pearson, Noel
Gaynor, and Gerald McDade.
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