Britain, Ireland Press IRA to End Violence in Ulster

Prime Ministers John Major of Britain and Albert Reynolds of Ireland on Thursday intensified their pressure on the Irish Republican Army to give up its campaign of violence in Northern Ireland.

Speaking on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street after a meeting Thursday night, they warned Sinn Fein, the IRA’s political arm, that they will not “wait around” for the party to respond to their peace overtures.

The two leaders, who last December signed the Downing Street Declaration offering Sinn Fein a place at Northern Ireland peace talks if the IRA would stop its attacks, said they would continue negotiations with politicians in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

“A great deal of progress has been made,” Major said. “There’s more to be done, but it is not awaiting an answer from Sinn Fein.”

Earlier, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams raised peace hopes by declaring to the British Broadcasting Corp. that his group would make an official response to the Downing Street peace proposal--but not until after European Parliament elections June 9.

“I am quite convinced that what is going to come out of this peace process is a peace settlement,” Adams said.

But Major dashed cold water on the statement.

“I see nothing new in what he had to say this morning,” the prime minister said. “What was quite striking was what he didn’t say. He made no indication that he was going to give up violence.”