BELFAST : IRA Cease-Fire Begins

A cease-fire announced by the Irish Republican Army is scheduled to begin at midnight tonight in Northern Ireland and last for three days, the same length as the last IRA truce at Christmastime.

Gerry Adams, leader of the political arm of the IRA, called on the British to engage in talks during the cease-fire in an effort to end the violence in Northern Ireland. But British authorities so far insist that the government will only engage in direct talks with Sinn Fein or the IRA three months after attacks cease in British-ruled Northern Ireland.

Cardinal Cahal Daly, Roman Catholic primate of all Ireland, appealed to the IRA to extend the cease-fire to let the peace process, initiated by London and Dublin, continue.