Obama backs Northern Ireland truth process and Finucane inquiry

US Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama has backed calls for a Northern Ireland truth process and for an independent public inquiry into the murder of lawyer Pat Finucane, according to lobby group the Irish-American Unity Conference.

Amnesty International has long called for such a public inquiry into the lawyer's killing, something which the UK government has so far resisted.

According to IAUC, in response to a questionnaire on establishing a truth process for Northern Ireland, Mr Obama`s team said: "Senator Obama would support a reconciliation process that seeks the comprehensive truth about past violence."

With reference to the Finucane Inquiry call, the Obama camp responded: "Senator Obama believes there should be an independent, public inquiry as Judge Cory recommended."  Mr Finucane was shot dead in front of his family by loyalist paramilitaries in 1989, but the security forces have repeatedly been implicated in the killing of the solicitor, who had represented republican suspects. The Finucane family has welcomed Mr Obama's support.

Should Obama become the next US President, his support for a comprehensive truth process and an independent inquiry into the Pat Finucane murder will undoubtedly add to the pressure on the UK government.

(Hat-tip to Devenport Diaries for this news).