Clinton Condemns Ira For Bombing President Delays Decision On Visa For Leader Of Ira’s Political Allies

With his dreams of Irish peace dwindling, President Clinton harshly condemned the IRA on Monday for its “cowardly acts of terrorism” after a bomb ripped a London bus.

Clinton, however, expressed hope for another cease-fire, telling the people of Britain and Ireland, “We must not let the men of the past ruin the future of the children in Northern Ireland.”

The remarks were his strongest repudiation of the outlawed Irish Republican Army since the 17-month truce ended this month. Clinton gambled with his prestige to nurture the peace process, granting IRA ally Gerry Adams a U.S. visa and several White House welcomes.

Adams wants to visit the United States again for St. Patrick’s Day March 17. Aides said Clinton, who visited Belfast last year, will wait until the last minute to rule on the Sinn Fein leader’s visa request, hoping the violence will stop by then.

“It is with great sadness that I once again express my condolences to the victims of an IRA bomb in London,” Clinton said. “These cowardly acts of terrorism are the work of individuals determined to thwart the will of the people of Northern Ireland.”

He issued the statement shortly after the IRA claimed responsibility for a bomb that destroyed a bus in London. Police said the bus was not the target and were trying to determine if the lone fatality was the bomber. Nine people were hurt.

The president had condemned the IRA’s deadly bomb attack Feb. 9 in east London, which broke the truce.

While censuring the IRA, White House officials have privately praised loyalist groups for “remaining calm” amid the outbreak of violence, a senior aide said Monday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, singled out David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party and Gary McMichael of the Ulster Defense Association.

Though the president’s statement did not mention Sinn Fein by name, Clinton pledged to work with Britain, Ireland and “the parties” - a phrase that aides said reflected Clinton’s view that Sinn Fein must be a part of the peace process.

With each bombing, pressure mounts on Clinton to act on the visa application from Adams, who the White House believes probably knew the cease-fire was about to break down.