IRELAND . . . OLD ENEMIES TO MEET

British officials will have their first official pow-wow next week with their erstwhile mortal enemies -- the leaders of Sinn Fein, the British government announced today. The announcement, a major step in Ireland's peace process, comes three months after theIRA declared a cease fire. It represents a change of heart for the British, who have insisted that the IRA state clearly that it is permanently laying down its arms -- something Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has refused to do.