US ambassador to Britain calls for IRA action

The newly appointed US ambassador to Britain today called on the IRA to back up its historic statement with actions.

On his first official visit to Northern Ireland, Mr Robert Holmes Tuttle met local politicians and community leaders at a regeneration project in west Belfast.

On the significance of the IRA's pledge to decommission its arms, Mr Tuttle said: "I think President Bush said it best. It is a great step forward and I am really proud of everything that has been done but now we have got to see the actions."

The ambassador was heckled by half-a-dozen anti-war protesters after his meeting.

PA