Reynolds urges IRA to 'show courage'

(First Edition)

THE IRISH Prime Minister, Albert Reynolds, last night called on the IRA and Sinn Fein to show 'leadership and courage' in order to halt terrorism as speculation grew in Ulster of an imminent open-ended IRA ceasefire.

In a statement Mr Reynolds said his government's position remained that 'all parties should put behind them the use of violence as an instrument to progress political objectives'. He also rejected suggestions of any divisions between himself and Dick Spring, his deputy premier and foreign minister, about the timescale for permitting Sinn Fein into any negotiations about the future of Northern Ireland.

On Saturday, Mr Spring indicated that he would lead his Labour Party out of the coalition government if Sinn Fein were allowed to join talks ahead of a total cessation of violence.

Mr Reynolds emphasised: 'I never suggested that a temporary ceasefire for three months or six months would provide a seat at the conference table for Sinn Fein.'

According to Press Association sources, senior IRA members told supporters a fortnight ago that a ceasefire would be announced 'before the start of September'.