Real Audio Report: Gerry Adams to March in New York

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Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams told TIME Daily that despite discouragement by New York City officials, he intends to march in the city's St. Patrick's Day parade this Saturday. Visiting the United States to build support for a resumption of peace talks with Britain, Adams, leader of the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, deplored the recent IRA terrorist bombing in London. He maintained that he does not have the power to control IRA violence, and insisted that he is firmly committed to a non-violent resolution of the conflict. He credited President Clinton with bringing both sides to the table, and working to get them talking again: "We wouldn't have a peace process at all if it had not been for the involvement of the White House. The President has an emotional, intellectual and political commitment to this cause." Asked his view of the attempts of Irish gays and lesbians to be permitted to march in the New York City parade, Adams said he supported their efforts, and believed that all Irish people must be "accorded the respect which we all deserve."