Hain to brief Rice on devolution progress

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will tonight receive a briefing in Washington from Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain on efforts to revive devolution at Stormont.

Their meeting with at the State Department is expected to cover expectations of what the IRA should say and do in response to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams’ call in April for an end to armed struggle in favour of pursuing republican goals through peaceful and democratic means.