The Loyalist Volunteer Force's declaration of an "absolute, utter finish" to its campaign of violence has intensified pressure on the IRA to make a similar statement and begin the process of decommissioning.
However, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, yesterday insisted he would not be pressurised into declaring the IRA's war was over. Addressing the annual anti-internment rally at Belfast City Hall, he said: "Let no one preach to any republican that we have to say this, or we have to say that, or we have to put some version of words together to satisfy unionism.
"We want to make peace with the unionists but we cannot resolve David Trimble's problems for him. He has to talk to us and accept that we need to be treated in the same way as he wants his supporters to be treated."
Mr Adams repeated his call for unionists to engage in face-to-face talks with his party. It is understood the IRA's refusal to announce its war is over is due to opposition among grassroots members.
In a strongly-worded statement last night, the Fine Gael leader said Mr Adams's remarks were an insult to all democrats. Mr John Bruton said: "Gerry Adams's comment that he will not be pressurised into getting the IRA to say that the war is over, because he will not `solve David Trimble's problem for him', is an insult to all the Irish democrats who have worked so long for a just and peaceful settlement and who have shown such understanding for Sinn Fein despite the terrible deeds that party condoned and justified in the past."
Mr Bruton continued: "All Irish democrats believe that it is long time past that the IRA said that the war is over for good. The IRA war must be over before a political party linked with the IRA could be treated as genuine democrats." He added: "Why will the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, not tell Mr Adams that it's time now to get off the fence?"
Mr Adams's uncompromising statement came amid growing speculation that the INLA may soon declare a ceasefire. Sources in the INLA's political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, said documents advocating an end to "armed struggle" were circulating in its ranks, although they insisted no final decision had yet been taken. It is understood there is considerable support for a ceasefire, particularly from INLA prisoners anxious to secure early release. Some observers believe a ceasefire could be declared within weeks.
The LVF's ceasefire announcement has been strongly welcomed across the political spectrum. In its statement, it said: "Irrespective of whether or not republicans recognise the English dictionary, for LVF personnel the meaning of the word `complete' is quite clear. The word means: entire, whole, brought to an end, perfect, absolute, utter, finished."
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, welcomed the declaration, but added: "It's important the LVF maintains a complete and unequivocal ceasefire." It is understood the LVF will decommission before the Assembly reconvenes next month. If that happens, then its prisoners should be eligible for early release.
Pastor Kenny McClinton, who acts as the LVF's mediator, has already met the decommissioning body. The Ulster Unionist Party's security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, "unequivocally welcomed" the LVF's declaration and said it indicated what was possible for other paramilitary groups.
The Alliance Party president, Dr Philip McGarry, said he hoped the LVF would keep its word. Mr Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist Party, the UVF's political wing, said the ceasefire should have been announced earlier. "The LVF is a very small group with no support and no politics. They had nothing to do but fold up their tents," he said. The LVF has killed 16 Catholics since its formation two years ago following a UVF split.
The organisation was growing until its leader, Billy Wright, was murdered by the INLA in the Maze Prison last Christmas. It has since fallen into disarray, with many members uninterested in violence and concentrating on drug-dealing and crime.
While most LVF members appear ready to accept the ceasefire, some hardliners in Mid-Ulster believe it is a "sell-out". It is understood these activists might attempt to link up with disillusioned UDA members. However, security sources are confident they could deal with such a threat.
Meanwhile, there is growing optimism that an INLA ceasefire announcement is imminent. Sources close to the organisation said there had been indirect contact with the British government. An NIO spokesman said: "We do not rule out contact with the IRSP."
The INLA has co-operated with dissident republicans in recent months, but its broad signals have been conciliatory. An article in the IRSP's news-sheet this month says that, although critical of the politics of the peace process, it has never opposed "the people's desire for peace". "An INLA ceasefire would be very good news indeed," a British government source said.