The bodies of IRA murder victims who were abducted and secretly buried could be located if Sinn Féin leaders became more involved in the hunt, it was claimed today.
As the US consul general in Belfast, Dean Pittman, held a reception for families of "the Disappeared," a relative of one of those killed urged Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness to intensify their efforts to find answers.
Oliver McVeigh, whose brother Columba (17) was taken from his hometown village of Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, in 1975, praised the American assistance but said: "I still think doors can be opened closer to home.
"Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams could take a more hands-on approach, go to the people who were involved, ask for information and don't leave without answers."
Even though the IRA pledged to help locate the bodies of nine people listed among the Disappeared, only four were ever located.
As around 30 relatives gathered at Mr Pittman's south Belfast residence today, doves were released in a symbolic gesture by the families.
A new freephone number in the United States was also launched in an effort to get anyone with information on the missing bodies to come forward.
The event was part of a Day of Private Reflection initiative by the Healing through Remembering project to acknowledge the hurt caused by the conflict in Northern Ireland.