Sinn Fein Renounces Acts of Violence

The political wing of the Irish Republican Army has declared an end to violence in its battle against British rule in Northern Ireland. The Sinn Fein statement came as the British government unveiled plans for a crackdown on guerrilla splinter groups still resisting a peace drive in British-ruled Northern Ireland, where sectarian foes reached a landmark accord in April. “Sinn Fein believe the violence we have seen must be for all of us now a thing of the past,” Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said. His words were quickly welcomed by the British government and by President Clinton, who travels to Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic this week.