Bruton repeats view that ceasefire is inevitable

THE Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has expressed his hope that an IRA ceasefire "will occur soon, thereby maintaining his optimism about current developments in Northern Ireland.

He repeated his belief for the third day in a row in Washington that a ceasefire by the IRA was "inevitable", having earlier told a joint session of Congress that "an agreement is within reach".

Asked again by journalists last night to respond to the astonishment caused by his level of optimism about a new IRA ceasefire, Mr Bruton said that his own view was that the logic of the situation suggested that a ceasefire should be called.

There had been statements by Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein recently, for example, where he said that true negotiations could only take place in an atmosphere of peace.

One of the things they needed for an atmosphere of peace to exist, as stated by Mr McGuinness was an IRA ceasefire.

"Now I would draw a reasonably favourable conclusion from the fact that Mr McGuinness said that himself", he said.

He also believed that the principal demand of the republican movement had been that all party talks, in which they could take part, should be called. Those talks had now been called and had been in existence since June 10th. So from a logical point of view, he added, it made sense for an IRA ceasefire to take place.

Repeating his statement that he had no reason whatsoever to be categoric about a ceasefire being called at this time, Mr Bruton said there had been highs of optimism and lows of pessimism - neither of which had proved necessarily to be justified - on this issue from time to time.

"I believe, fundamentally, the ceasefire by the IRA is inevitable," the Taoiseach stated. "That is the only way they can fulfill their objectives and political mandate, by taking part in all party talks. They are not going to make progress in any other way".

He asserted: "I do understand that it takes time for the republican movement to make a decision of that nature and I am hopeful - I never used any word more strong than the word hope - I am hopeful that an IRA ceasefire will occur so?".

The Republican Congressman Ben Gilman, chairman of the International Relations Committee, gave an assurance to the Taoiseach last night that a bi partisan policy and a US representative would be maintained at the all party talks, irrespective of the outcome of the Presidential election in November.

"I think there is no question that our Republican candidate and the existing President will both be highly supportive of moving the talks forward and to make sure that there is a proper representative of our Government at the talks", Congressman Gilman said.

Earlier, Mr Bruton had emphasised his optimism about developments in Northern Ireland when he addressed a joint session of the US Congress.

The Taoiseach met members of the Friends of Ireland and the International Relations Committee at a reception hosted by Congressman Ben Gilman later yesterday.

Both he and Mrs Finola Bruton, who celebrates her birth day today, were guests at a dinner hosted by the Irish Ambassador, Mr Dermot Gallagher, last night.