Britain unrealistic on peace

When Irish Prime Minister John Bruton and his British counterpart, John Major, meet this week, they will be under considerable pressure to break the current impasse on Northern Ireland. A year has now passed since the cease-fire declared by the Irish Republican Army. Terrorism is no longer a part of daily life in Northern Ireland. But Britain's unrealistic insistence on having the IRA surrender its weapons before it will sit down to talk peace has created a stalemate.

The British and Irish governments have been working behind the scenes all summer on a deal. It would involve the establishment of an international commission to disarm both the IRA and the Loyalist paramilitary organizations. Former Sen. George Mitchell, who now acts as President Clinton's adviser on Northern Ireland, is reported to be the commission's likely head.

Establishing such a commission would allow each party to enter into full-fledged negotiations with both pride and principle intact. However, the British must be prepared to accept an IRA commitment to the process of decommissioning arms, rather than insisting on the surrender of all arms before talks can begin.

Much is at stake in the next few weeks. The insurgents' faith in the democratic process is new and shaky, and the British government has not always been sensitive to the problems of Sinn Fein's leaders who are trying to bring their most radical elements into the peace process. The IRA's statement of last week expressed disappointment that a year of peace had produced so little political progress but affirmed the Republicans' commitment to finding "a democratic accommodation."

When Bruton and Major meet on Wednesday, they must produce more than a vague framework for some future accommodation. They need to get all parties into full-fledged peace negotiations this fall.

President Clinton's impending visit in November also provides some useful pressure. It is in the interests of all sides to have substantial progress for Clinton to witness and help celebrate. Everyone is ready for the next step.

-- The New York Times