THE peace talks in Northern Ireland could make "significant progress" without Sinn Fein, the chairman of the multi-party talks Senator George Mitchell, has said in a CNN interview.
"There are 11 participants to the talks - nine parties and two governments," he said, "and while it would be better to have everyone there, they are not going to be there unless there is a cease-fire, and in their absence, I think it is possible to make progress and I hope the parties will do so."
He condemned the actions of the IRA which he said were "not only wrong but counter productive, and I hope very much that they will announce another ceasefire, and enable everyone to proceed towards a peaceful resolution". The unionist paramilitaries deserved credit "for holding off", he added.
Asked if his hopes are backed by anything other than optimism, Senator Mitchell replied: "Well, there has obviously been disagreement within their ranks, because for more than two years there was no action in Northern Ireland"
He stressed that he has no inside information on divisions within republican ranks, on how best to proceed. "My hope is that those who counsel them to get into the democratic dialogue will prevail."
The CNN correspondent noted that until the IRA does declare another ceasefire and renounces violence, its political wing, Sinn Fein is barred from the talks.
"So how much progress can the talks actually make without the participation of Sinn Fein?" she asked.
"They can make significant progress," Senator Mitchell replied. "The largest party representing the nationalist or Catholic community, the SDLP, is present at the talks and playing a very major role. Indeed, it was their agreement with the largest unionist party which enabled the small step to be taken that we referred to earlier."
The reference was to the recent agreement on parades.
"I think it is possible to make some progress with consensus. I think if you have a rule of unanimity, it would probably make it extremely difficult to have anything done. You have so many participants involved but I think there is some reason for some optimism here."
The CNN correspondent asked: "The IRA broke off the ceasefire first of all in February. But the attack this month was the first in Northern Ireland for more, than two years. Yet the unionist paramilitaries have held off. They have not yet retaliated. How significant and positive is that?"
Senator Mitchell replied: "It is significant that the loyalist paramilitaries have not responded. Their political leaders deserve a great deal of credit for that, as they should. I strongly condemn the actions taken by the IRA
He hoped that the IRA would announce another ceasefire and enable progress towards a peaceful resolution.
The CNN correspondent wondered if "some sort of pressure was being brought upon the IRA to actually renounce violence again.
The former US Senate majority leader and federal judge replied: "While, as you know, the IRA is an illegal organisation there (in Ireland) and I personally don't know who the members are. I doubt anyone in the (US) administration has any membership list.
"There has been public pressure brought. When President Clinton went to Northern Ireland last year he preached a powerful message of peace, made very clear that the US strongly opposes and condemns those who use violence to achieve political objectives."
"I think that is the appropriate message, and it is one that I believe we should continue to send."