Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 4, 1994                   TAG: 9410050026
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

U.S. DROPS BAN ON OFFICIAL IRA CONTACTS

President Clinton's decision to lift the ban Monday was a reward for Sinn Fein's support of a cease-fire in Northern Ireland, but that was not enough to get Adams through the White House gate.

A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Adams would meet today with mid-level officials at the State Department.

Asked why it was Gore who called Adams at the home of the late Robert F. Kennedy in suburban Virginia, the official said it was ``a presidential decision.''

Adams was making rounds on Capitol Hill, speaking at the National Press Club today and meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Clinton administration granted Adams a visa after the IRA's late-August announcement that it would end a campaign of violence and take part in peace talks.

``In light of that historic announcement and the peace it has brought over the last month, the United States is today lifting its long-standing ban on contacts between U.S. officials and members of the Sinn Fein party so a dialogue may begin,'' said a White House statement.

In a letter to Adams, White House National Security Adviser Anthony Lake said U.S. officials would discuss ``ways to assist Sinn Fein in solidifying support for the political process'' and in bringing all parties in the conflict into negotiations.

``We would also expect to discuss a normalization of relations with Sinn Fein party officials as progress is made and to solicit your views on how the United States can help promote trade, investment and economic prosperity in North Ireland,'' Lake wrote.

An administration official said last week that one reason Adams would not be received at the White House was his reluctance to declare the cease-fire permanent.

The official who discussed the matter after the White House announcement on Monday said the fact that there hasn't been any violence over the past month involving the IRA was one reason the ban was lifted.

The administration hopes to encourage the start of negotiations among all parties in Ireland. But the U.S. official said it was unlikely the unionists, who support continued ties to England, are ready to join those discussions.