Washington, D.C., November 16, 1995 --
The Irish National Caucus -- the Irish Lobby on Capitol Hill, has called
off its four year old boycott of Timex watches. Timex is owned by Fred
Olsen, owner of Harland and Wolff.
The Caucus launched the Timex boycott when Olsen purchased
Harland and Wolff to protest anti-Catholic discrimination at that company.
The ending of the boycott was announced by Caucus
President, Father Sean McManus who is visiting Belfast. Speaking after a
four hour tour of Harland and Wolff, Father McManus said "the Caucus boycott
is called off immediately. I was very impressed with the attitude and
atmosphere at Harland and Wolff. I now believe they are committted
to building a workforce free from discrimination."
The tour of Harland and Wolff was arranged by George
Rose, Chairman of the Shop Stewards. Mr. Rose had first met Fr.
McManus during the White House Conference on Ireland. "George is an
incredible pitch man, he is a superb ambassador for Harland and Wolff,"
said Fr. McManus. "Harland and Wolff, because of the peace-process,
can now become the symbol of progress and reconciliation in Northern
Ireland," said Fr. McManus. "The Irish National Caucus is going
to do all in its power to promote Harland and Wolff in the U.S. Harland
and Wolff cannot build an intergrated workforce without more jobs," he explained.
"So we must help to get them more jobs."
