Irish on Both Sides of Border Launch Peace Campaign
BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Irish on both sides of the border launched a peace campaign Friday with a rally in Northern Ireland and a call from Dublin for Catholics and Protestants to sport white ribbons to persuade the Irish Republican Army to reinstate its cease-fire.
In Belfast, the city center was brought to a halt when several thousand protesters clamored for peace, which had been shattered after a 17-month lull by a truck bomb last week that killed two men in London.
Supporters of Sinn Fein, the IRA’s political arm, which wants to unite British-ruled Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic, took part in the rally and held posters demanding “all-party talks now.”
In Dublin, Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring called on Roman Catholics and Protestants to wear white ribbons to persuade the IRA of the need to restore the cease-fire.
Aides said Spring wanted to galvanize public opinion after widespread revulsion and frustration at the Feb. 9 blast.
Meanwhile in London, police arrested several people Friday in connection with that attack and a foiled bombing attempt Thursday.
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