End the killing or we hunt you down, Reynolds tells IRA: Threat of tighter security north and south of the border coupled with hint of early release for republican prisoners

ALBERT REYNOLDS, the Irish Prime Minister, warned the IRA yesterday that it would face stiffer security measures both north and south of the Ulster border if it rejected the Downing Street declaration.

The warning was coupled with a strong hint by Mr Reynolds that more IRA prisoners could be freed if it accepted the offer to Sinn Fein to enter talks in return for a permanent cessation of violence.

John Hume, leader of the Ulster SDLP, expressed hope last night of a positive response, when he confirmed that he had met his Sinn Fein opposite number, Gerry Adams, to discuss the delaration. 'He is very serious and so were the people that he's representing in their commitment to bring the conflict to a total end,' Mr Hume said.

Earlier, Mr Reynolds ruled out internment and hinted that the broadcasting ban on Sinn Fein - now also being reviewed by the British government - would be lifted if violence was ended.

As the IRA exploded a huge bomb aimed at security forces in Londonderry in its first big attack since the declaration, it emerged that the two governments have given up hope of a lasting peace being achieved this week in time for the expected three-day Christmas ceasefire by the IRA to be extended indefinitely. Three children and two adults narrowly escaped death when the landmine exploded near their car.

Mr Reynolds indicated that the two prime ministers are prepared to continue the search for agreement with Sinn Fein despite such incidents. But he warned of a crackdown if the declaration were to be finally rejected: 'Undoubtedly there would be stiffer security situations. After a period in which such strong support has been expressed by people in both communities for peace, there would be revulsion at a resumption of full-scale violence again,' Mr Reynolds said on BBC radio.

Both governments yesterday insisted that they already have good cross-border co-operation, but new measures could include a change in the rules of engagement for troops, to allow more hot pursuit across the border, and freer cross-border flights by military helicopters.

Sources in London and Dublin were quick to rule out any offer of a general amnesty for IRA prisoners. But they confirmed that parole boards could release prisoners if they judged, after a cessation of violence, that the prisoners were unlikely to reoffend. Mr Reynolds pointed out that the Brussels communique of 29 October by the two prime ministers promised the IRA that the two governments would respond imaginatively to a cessation of violence.

'Undoubtedly, the future of the prisoners would be part of it. That is what the British government would have in mind in exploratory talks with Sinn Fein when they said they would engage in talks within three months after a real cessation of violence,' Mr Reynolds said.

The Taoiseach emphasised the willingness of the two governments to be patient, even in the face of more IRA or loyalist terrorist bombings. Groups had tried to undermine the peace declarations in South Africa and Palestine, he said. 'You may have some of that in the future. Let's hope it's at a minimum but I don't think anybody can rule it out altogether.'

Both governments are prepared to wait for the IRA to consult its supporters before responding to the declaration, and Mr Reynolds made it clear that would include consulting its members in prisons.

Mr Adams said in the newspaper Scotland on Sunday: 'I wish we could have a settlement tomorrow but this depends on British co-operation and London have had a consistent policy of giving as little as possible.' He raised the possibility of the two governments bridging a 'gap' to reach peace, but London and Dublin have both said the declaration is not negotiable.

Writing in Sunday Life, a Belfast newspaper, John Major sought to reassure Unionists he had not conceded joint authority over Ulster to the Republic in the declaration. 'There is not the merest whiff of joint authority anywhere in its seven pages,' he said.

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