THE White House has condemned "in the strongest terms the IRA bomb attack in Lisburn which it has called "barbaric".
The statement said that "these men of violence are acting against the interests and hopes of the people of Ireland, North and South, who want a just and lasting peace. We hope the authorities will swiftly bring those to justice."
The White House said that "these acts of terrorism must not be allowed to derail the important work of peace occurring in Belfast under the chairmanship of Senator Mitchell and his two colleagues".
Stating that the US stands with the British and Irish governments in their determination to see the voices of peace prevail, the White House urged the representatives of the people participating in the talks "to redouble their efforts to achieve a sustainable settlement".
The statement also praised the "courage and determination the loyalists have shown in resisting provocation and refusing to be drawn into the spiral of violence."
Earlier President Clinton's national security adviser said that there were "still signs of hope and progress" in Northern Ireland despite a historical climate of fear and distrust and Monday's "outrageous act of terrorism".
Mr Tony Lake said in an address in Georgetown University, before the IRA claimed responsibility, that "the bombing of the British army barracks in Lisburn, claimed by a splinter Republican group calling itself the Community Army Council, deserves the strongest possible condemnation by civilised men and women everywhere. Those responsible must be brought to justice".
Later when he heard of the IRA claim, Mr Lake said in an interview that in a sense it did not matter which group was responsible for what was an attempt to derail the peace process, something which should not happen.
But Mr Lake also said that in spite of the IRA being responsible for the Lisburn bombing, the White House would continue to deal with Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, at the level of officials. This has been the position since the IRA ceasefire ended last February.
In his address Mr Lake said that President Clinton remains firmly committed to helping Northern Ireland claim its future rather than return to its past.
"We are neither in favour of a united Ireland nor opposed to the idea. We are determined to continue supporting the people of Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments as they take risks for the peace that they themselves must build," Mr Lake said.
He praised "the brave resolve of the loyalist leaders in maintaining the loyalist ceasefire in the face of provocation. We join all who care about Northern Ireland's future in calling on the loyalists not to be provoked into a futile and deadly spiral of violence" by Monday's attack. It is "inspiring that the loyalists and their leaders, who once shunned the political process, now have proved so courageous and steady in pursuing peace".
Stating that "tremendous difficulties" lie ahead, Mr Lake said that the president and the American people "remain deeply outraged by the IRA's breach of the ceasefire, its vicious bomb attacks in London and Manchester, and its continuing attempts to maim and kill innocent civilians. We were dismayed by the bitterness of this summer's marching season, by the rekindling of old hatreds and fears on both sides".