THE Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, described Sinn Fein's absence from the talks yesterday as "regrettable" and called upon the IRA to restore its ceasefire.
Dr Mowlam said the opening of the talks process was a significant step forward on the path to lasting peace" but Sinn Fein's absence was necessary because of the IRA's refusal to announce a new ceasefire.
"We wish all the participants well in their search for agreement. The people of Northern Ireland have repeatedly made clear their desire to see a peaceful and agreed resolution of their differences. It is up to their political representatives to work together with the two governments to achieve that", she said.
At a joint press conference in the House of Commons just hours before the talks opened, the left wing Labour MP, Mr Tony Benn, and Sinn Fein Belfast councillor Mr Pat McGeown called for the party to be admitted despite the IRA's failure to restore the ceasefire.
Mr Benn suggested the British government had not shown the "slightest interest" in the peace process and failed to appreciate the role the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, had played.
"The responsibility for success now rests on the shoulders of British ministers and they must accept Sinn Fein delegates to the forum since such a move would contribute decisively to the ending of the war and the beginning of a settlement reached by the people who live in the island of Ireland", he said.
Mr McGeown called on the British government to speak directly to the IRA. "Really, the people who need to talk to the IRA about the cessation is the British government. They, through their arrogant exclusion of Sinn Fein, could wreck what could have been a great chance to take the first steps towards lasting peace", he said.