The Hindu : International / Globescan : IRA threat intensifies crisis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 05, 2005

International

International - Globescan

IRA threat intensifies crisis

London: The renewed political crisis in Northern Ireland intensified last on Thursday night when the IRA brushed aside British and Irish allegations of criminality and warned the two Governments: ``Do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation.'' Twenty-four hours after the Provisional IRA withdrew its long-stalled promise to decommission weapon stockpiles, London and Dublin refused to be impressed. Convinced that the IRA and its political wing, Sinn Fein, are bluffing, they also insist that the IRA's ceasefire will hold. There was some comfort for the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Irish Premier Bertie Ahern, when administration sources in Washington confirmed that the Bush administration is considering excluding Sinn Fein's president, Gerry Adams, from the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House on March 17. In a menacing two-line statement, a senior republican source said: ``The two Governments are trying to play down the importance of our statement because they are making a mess of the peace process. Do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation.'' —

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