Mo Mowlam, Britains secretary of state for Northern Ireland, wasnt yet saying whether shed ask for Sinn Fein to be kicked out of the Stormont talks. The Protestant terrorist group UDA was shown the door two weeks ago when it gunned down three Catholic civilians -- violating the all-important pledge of nonviolence. Sinn Fein spent Thursday protesting its innocence, perhaps a little too loudly. We do not speak for any armed group, said leader Gerry Adams, denying what hed always tacitly admitted -- regular contact with the Republican Army council. In a short statement, the IRA said the truce is intact -- but pointedly did not refuse responsibility for the killings. Protestant leaders are publicly somber, privately cock-a-hoop at the thought of waving Sinn Fein good-bye. Said Reverend Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionists: I told you so.
When Irish Peace Is Waning
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BELFAST: Did the IRA end its cease-fire and not tell anyone? The Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Irelands police force, says yes. Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan has fingered the terrorist group in two recent murders in the province -- of a drug dealer and a Protestant militant. That could lead to the ejection of Sinn Fein, the IRAs political wing, from ongoing peace talks -- and a return to the so-called troubles, now nearly 30 years old.