Clinton boost for Sinn Fein

The pressure on the Government to make further concessions on IRA prisoners was intensified yesterday by President Bill Clinton in a call to remove obstacles to progress on the peace process.

The US president, who is planning to visit the UK in November, made it clear he wanted to see Sinn Fein brought into all-party talks by the time of his arrival.

Although he supported British demands for the IRA to make progress on decommissioning its weapons, President Clinton highlighted the importance of the British Government moving on the IRA demands for the release of more prisoners.

"While decisions on prisoner issues are internal matters for each government, I would welcome any measure aimed at helping the process of healing and reconciliation in Northern Ireland including movement on prisoners," he said.

As Mr Clinton called for the impediments to progress to be removed, Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, again warned that the peace process was being put at risk. The Government is preparing a package, which would include 50 per cent remission for republican and loyalist prisoners, and large-scale transfers from the mainland to Irish prisons of IRA prisoners. There has been no movement by the IRA over the decommissioning of weapons, which is proving the stumbling block.

"I am looking forward to visiting a peaceful Northern Ireland later this year," Mr Clinton said in an interview with the Irish Times. "The best guarantee of a just and lasting peace is for people to talk together about their aspirations for the future as well as their differences and fears. "Naturally, I would be pleased if talks were under way by the time I visit Northern Ireland and I know that the Irish and British governments are committed to finding a way to remove any impediments."

Mr Adams warned yesterday that the Northern Ireland peace process would be "in a crisis" if all-party talks were not under way in time for Mr Clinton's trip. The Sinn Fein president called on John Major to "take a leadership role, do his duty and move the entire situation towards a peace settlement". Mr Adams praised work done by Mr Clinton.

Intelligence reports to the Government suggest that the ceasefire is not in imminent danger of breaking down. But ministers are keen to be seen to making progress.