New Northern Ireland Cease-Fire Explored

For the first time since the Irish Republican Army broke its cease-fire 15 months ago, British officials met Wednesday with leaders of Sinn Fein, the IRA political wing, and discussed the possibility of a new cease-fire that would clear the way for Sinn Fein to enter the stalled peace talks.

After the three-hour meeting at Stormont Castle on the edge of Belfast, Britain’s new Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, said: “It was an informed, constructive discussion. There is movement in the clarification process, which is good.”

Mowlam, who did not attend the meeting, said, “We will move; Tony made it clear that we intend to get moving,” referring to Britain’s new prime minister, Tony Blair.

There will be more meetings with Sinn Fein, she said, adding: “That is progress. I don’t know how much closer we are, but people are talking and it’s better than it was yesterday.”