IRA Supporters Step Up Demands That British Withdraw From Ulster

The Irish Republican Army’s political wing, Sinn Fein, on Saturday stepped up demands for a complete British military withdrawal from Northern Ireland, despite olive branch offers from Prime Minister John Major.

But politicians and clerics who have contact with armed Protestant extremist groups said they thought Major’s gestures could help persuade the outlawed groups to join a 17-day-old IRA cease-fire.

Sinn Fein supporters staged small protests outside heavily fortified security bases in Belfast, the province’s capital, and held a march in Londonderry, the second city.

“We have come here today to move on the (peace) process and take back our city. We want an end to the British army in this city. We want them out of here . . . as soon as possible,” Sinn Fein deputy leader Martin McGuinness told supporters in Londonderry.

In a minor skirmish in Belfast, teen-agers stoning a military base were hosed down with water by security forces.

The demonstrations went ahead despite Major’s announcement Friday that he was lifting a broadcast ban that kept Sinn Fein voices off radio and television for six years.

His efforts were aimed at reassuring the majority pro-British Protestant community as well as Roman Catholics, most of whom want the province united with the rest of Ireland.

Major insisted the IRA must still prove it has permanently renounced violence in its war against the British.

But he had a sweetener for Protestants, guaranteeing that the result of future peace talks would be put to a referendum in the province.

Many Protestants have welcomed the plan, seeing it as a pledge that they will not be forced out of their union with Britain against their will. But Sinn Fein wants any referendum to include a vote in the Irish Republic.

Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds welcomed Britain’s promise of a referendum on Northern Ireland.

In a television interview in Hong Kong, Reynolds described the referendum announcement as “a considerable contribution toward consolidating and solidifying the peace process.”

The British and Irish governments are now waiting to see if loyalist extremists will lay down their arms.

The armed extremists have said they will not match the cease-fire until they are satisfied that the IRA truce is permanent and convinced that the British government has made no secret deals to dilute Northern Ireland’s British status.

David Ervine, spokesman for the small Progressive Unionist Party, who speaks with members of the outlawed Ulster Volunteer Force, said he thought the extremists would be pleased.

“I think if the loyalist paramilitaries are convinced of Northern Ireland’s position, guaranteed as a partner within the United Kingdom, then they will lay down their weapons,” he told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Meanwhile, the Irish Times in Dublin said Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams will start a visit to the United States this week.

Quoting “reliable” sources in Washington, the newspaper said the Clinton Administration has lifted a ban on official contacts with Sinn Fein and will be offering Adams a visa.