Clinton attacks terror 'cowards' attacked by Clint

Washington (AP) - President Bill Clinton yesterday condemned the IRA bus bombing in London and urged the people of Britain and Ireland to press for peace despite "these cowardly acts of terrorism".

"I condemn these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms and hope those responsible are brought swiftly to justice," Mr Clinton said in a statement issued by the White House.

"It is with great sadness that I once again express my condolences to the victims of an IRA bomb in London," Mr Clinton said. "These cowardly acts of terrorism are the work of individuals determined to thwart the will of the people of Northern Ireland."

The President had condemned the IRA's bomb attack on 9 February in Docklands, east London, which broke a 17-month truce.

"We must not let the men of the past ruin the future of the children in Northern Ireland," Mr Clinton said in a written statement.

Meanwhile, administration officials said that Mr Clinton would not decide in the immediate future whether to grant a United States visa to Gerry Adams, president of the Sinn Fein. Mr Adams wants to visit the US for St Patrick's Day on 18 March, but Mr Clinton will delay his decision until the last minute to see if the violence continues, officials said.

One aide, who did not wish to be identified, said that it would be hard to imagine Mr Adams being granted a visa if the Northern Ireland ceasefire was still in shambles.