Hume and Adams meet tomorrow

THE SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, is to meet the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams for discussions tomorrow.

THE SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, is to meet the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams for discussions tomorrow.

"I will be meeting Gerry Adams and I will be doing all in my power to ensure that we get peace on the streets," Mr Hume said in Strasbourg last night.

According to Mr Hume the meeting between the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, on Monday had generated "nothing". He was not, however, going to allow that to stand in his way in seeking a permanent peace for the people of both islands.

Mr Hume and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, had discussions in Strasbourg yesterday aimed at moving forward the peace process, which they both said was not yet over. While both party leaders accepted: there were difficulties to be overcome, they pledged to continue to work to achieve an IRA ceasefire and inclusive talks involving Sinn Fein.

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Following last night's discussions with Mr Hume, the Tanaiste repeated that the two governments were working towards getting a ceasefire. "It is possible," he said, adding that a ceasefire and adherence to the Mitchell principles could bring Sinn Fein into talks after a short time.

Asked if he blamed the British government for the lack of movement, Mr Spring replied that "both sides must move".

While Mr Hume made no secret of his dismay at the lack of progress in the peace process, he was adamant that it had not come, to an end.