Major To Smooth Things Over With Clinton

Still bruised by White House hospitality toward allies of the Irish Republican Army, Prime Minister John Major goes to Washington today hoping to patch things up with President Clinton.

“It’s no secret we had a difference of view … but the important thing now is the next step forward,” a senior aide of the British leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Major’s three-day visit was arranged before Clinton invited Gerry Adams, president of the IRAsupporting Sinn Fein party, to a St. Patrick’s Day party at the White House and let Sinn Fein raise funds in the United States.

Major, who arrives at Andrews Air Force Base this evening, will begin two days of meetings on Monday with members of Congress and at the Pentagon.

He is scheduled to meet the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday and have lunch with Clinton.

Northern Ireland was likely to figure prominently at that meeting.