Study document carefully, Taoiseach tells republicans

THE TAOISEACH has appealed, to the republican movement to study carefully the joint communique issued by Mr Major and himself…

THE TAOISEACH has appealed, to the republican movement to study carefully the joint communique issued by Mr Major and himself.

In a message read by his wife, Finola, to a peace rally organised by the pupils of secondary schools in Trim, Co Meath, yesterday, he said that Sinn Fein's participation in the all party negotiations on Monday, June 10th, required only the restoration of the IRA ceasefire.

"The people of Ireland, North and South, republican and nationalist, unionist and loyalist now have a historic opportunity to sit around a table and negotiate political arrangements for peace and reconciliation," he said in the message to about 2,000 schoolchildren, many carrying peace banners, who took part in the rally.

Mr Bruton added that Sinn Fein had said it would ask the IRA to reinstate its ceasefire if a date for all party negotiations was set.

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"Now is the time for Sinn Fein and the IRA to make their renewed effort for peace. Without any further preconditions, the IRA should reinstate its ceasefire," he stated.