(8 Jun 1996) English/Nat

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is expected to seek a meeting with U-S Senator George Mitchell ahead of Monday's Northern Ireland peace talks.

Mitchell has been named as chairman of the historic talks - and Adams - leader of the I-R-A's political wing - has been locked out of the meeting.

He won't be allowed in unless the I-R-A announces a new ceasefire.

This rally by Sinn Fein -- the political wing of the outlawed I-R-A -- was held in its stronghold of west Belfast.

Pressure is intensifying on the republican movement to call a ceasefire before British Prime Minister John Major and his Irish counterpart John Bruton kick off the historic negotiations in Belfast on Monday.

Adams started proceedings by calling for all parties to work together for a permanent end to Northern Ireland's violent history.

SOUNDBITE:
"To join with us, forget about the history of pain and hatred, to join with us in building equality and democracy on this island. We make only one demand of them -- that it has to be on the basis of equality."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President

He said Sinn Fein now has a clear mandate following its success in last week's elections to choose representatives to the talks.

SOUNDBITE:
"If the British will lock us out of the talks on Monday - physically, that may be possible. Physically, they may have the ability to do that. But you know and I know that and John Major knows, John Bruton knows, and David Trimble knows and Ian Paisley knows, that unless Sinn Fein is in there, there can not be a peace settlement."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President

Protestant hard-liner Ian Paisley -- who will be taking part in the talks -- is also unhappy with its format.

He believes former U-S senator George Mitchell -- who will chair the talks -- will favour the Republican cause.

SOUNDBITE:
"Mr Mitchell is not going to create trust. He's going to create mistrust. He is not going to give confidence, he is going to destroy any confidence there is. He is not going to negotiate impartially, for he is a dedicated all -Irelander. Surely, he can't be impartial. And for me to go to Mr Mitchell and say to you `Would you be impartial' and for him to say `Yes, I will be impartial', what good is that? That assures nothing."
SUPERCAPTION: Reverend Ian Paisley, leader Democratic Unionist Party

With time rapidly running out, most observers believe it unlikely that the I-R-A will announce another truce before Monday.

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