The US business leaders have told the Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, they would not commit big investment to Northern Ireland without a continuing ceasefire by the IRA. The message, understood to have had the personal encouragement of President Bill Clinton, was delivered by senior US executives during a meeting with Mr Adams yesterday.

"We thought it important that he (Mr Adams) be reminded that he must deliver his part in the peace process. We are watching to see if there is any significant outbreak of violence, because this would make a difference to future investment decisions," a US official said. US Commerce Secretary, Mr William Daley, met Mr Adams together with senior US diplomats and executives. "The message we wanted to give was that there would be no significant investment unless the peace process was kept going. That message was given very clearly to Mr Adams and I think he understood that," said Mr Henry McKinnell, executive vice-president of Pfizer said.

Mr Adams is understood to have told the meeting he was committed to the peace process, which he described as a "process of comprehensive change" as contained in the April settlement.