Blair to warn Adams over IRA

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will this week warn Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams that the Provisional IRA must cease all paramilitary and criminal activity, if republicans are to be included in Ulster devolution.

Mr Blair will hold talks with Mr Adams at Chequers on Thursday – sensitive to possible controversy over a symbolic meeting in No 10.

The British government has blamed the provisionals for the recent Northern Bank £26m (€38m) raid, despite the organisation’s denials.

Mr Blair is also to hold talks next Tuesday, February 1, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the SDLP.

Two days later he will meet Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble. The British Prime Minister has also recently met Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley.

Mr Blair’s official spokesman said: “The message (to Mr Adams) is very simple. It is that there can be no deal with republicans unless all activity, paramilitary and criminal, stops. Period. That’s it.

“In terms of the way forward with the Taoiseach, he is going to have his own meeting with Sinn Féin. The two Prime Ministers will compare notes and also talk about the positions of the other parties as well.”

But the spokesman stressed: “We can only move forward with the republicans if there is a genuine end to their activities."