THE US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, called on the IRA to announce a "credible" ceasefire yesterday and reaffirmed America's long term commitment to the peace process, writes Rachel Borrill.
Following a 90 minute meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, at Downing Street, Ms Albright stressed America's condemnation of the renewal of IRA violence.
"The situation was described to me by the Prime Minister and Sir Patrick. I responded by saying that President Clinton remains committed to long term support for the search for peace in Northern Ireland.
"We have strongly condemned the renewal of IRA terrorist attacks and we will continue to support the efforts of the British and Irish governments and political parties in Northern Ireland to move forward with the peace process. We think it is very important that there be in fact a credible ceasefire," she said.
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Major told Ms Albright that the IRA needed to call a "verifiable" ceasefire before Sinn Fein could enter talks.
Mr Major also commended Senator George Mitchell's involvement in the peace process and reaffirmed his personal commitment to the search for peace.
"The Prime Minister stressed that he had no wish to exclude Sinn Fein but the problem lay with Sinn Fein and its own self exclusion," the spokesman added.