Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has pleaded with members of the Irish Republican Army to use words not weapons in their quest to end British rule in Northern Ireland.

In a keynote address on the second day of the British election campaign, Adams declared he was no longer prepared to defend the IRA's armed struggle.

Adams urged the IRA leadership to use its courage to pursue a political solution in its long-running dispute over British rule.

Unionists attacked Adams, criticising him for not insisting the IRA decommission its weapons or surrender the proceeds from a number of recent crimes in which the paramilitary wing has been implicated, particularly a huge bank robbery and a much-publicized killing in Belfast.

The British government labelled the speech significant but says its final judgment on Adams's comments will be reflected in the IRA's reaction.

(CRI.com April 7, 2005)