Blair and Adams set for tense meeting today

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams meet today for the first time since the Northern Bank…

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams meet today for the first time since the Northern Bank robbery blamed on the IRA.

Mr Blair is expected to tell Mr Adams that the IRA must end all association with paramilitary activity and criminality before it can participate in devolved government.

But Mr Adams is likely to be defiant mood after his bitter criticism of the Taoiseach yesterday following a meeting involving both men on Tuesday.

He said the Government had accepted the PSNI's claim that the IRA were behind last month's £26.5 million sterling

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heist in Belfast because it provided cover for the embarrassment of former Fianna Fáil minister Ray Burke being sent to jail for making false tax returns.

Burke was appointed Minster for Foreign Affairs by Mr Ahern in his last Government despite speculation about his financial afairs.

Mr Adams will also tell Mr Blair that addressing the obstacles to agreement on a return to devolved government prior to the robbery should be the primary concern of all parties.

But he is expected to avoid a confrontation despite Mr Blair's spokespeople indicating that Mr Blair will deliver a strong message to the Sinn Féin president.

Speaking at a press conference in Westminster yesterday, Mr Adams said: "Tomorrow's meeting, I hear it has been characterised, I hear Tom Kelly [Mr Blair's official spokesman] at his work, characterising it as a confrontation, we are going to be told straight what is happening and so on and so forth.

"Tony Blair knows us well enough, knows what has been achieved, knows his own contribution to it, knows our contribution to it, and knows that confrontation just won't work."