DIFFERENCES between the Irish and British governments over the setting of a date for the entry of Sinn Fein into multi party talks when they resume in June have emerged clearly during the Taoiseach's visit here.
But the US Vice President, Mr Al Gore, indicated the US believes it is up to the British government to make the decision in this matter.
Mr Bruton also said he had asked for the support of the US for the candidature of the President, Mrs Robinson, for the post of UN Commissioner for Human Rights. Asked if Mr Gore had agreed to support her, the Taoiseach said he had received "very high level" support but he was not going to get into specifics.
The Taoiseach also described the new evidence about Bloody Sunday, if verified, as "very significant".
It would "suggest a very high degree of deliberation involved in the killings that occurred." But he was waiting for a full assessment before coming to a judgment.
Mr Gore, after the 30 minute meeting with the Taoiseach, expressed the "absolute certainty and conviction" of President Clinton and the US administration that "should the IRA declare a ceasefire, Sinn Fein would be allowed to participate in talks".
However, there were different reactions by the Irish and British governments to the speech last Friday by Senator Edward Kennedy in which he called on the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, and the Labour Party leader, Mr Tony Blair, to agree to allow Sinn Fein into multi party talks when they resume on, June 3rd if the IBA calls a ceasefire.
At a news conference in the British embassy here yesterday, the Northern Ireland Minister for political affairs, Mr Michael, Ancram, said he did not think this approach would work.
"It is not wishing for all party talks that creates all party talks,", he said, but only the building of a process that would allow Sinn, Fein to participate "without destroying the confidence that underwrites the rest of the process for the other participants".
When the Taoiseach was asked about this difference of view between Senator Kennedy and Mr Ancram, he said the position of the British government is that "they don't want to set a specific date" for the entry of Sinn Fein into talks.
"They simply want to leave the date open to give themselves room for assessment of the genuineness of the ceasefire. Whereas the view of the Irish Government is that "the objective would be to have Sinn Fein in talks by a certain date if the ceasefire were declared immediately and use the intervening period to fulfil the requirements".
Asked which must come first the ceasefire or the date for the end of talks, the Taoiseach replied: "A ceasefire".
. Mr Bruton had a 10 minute meeting with President Clinton at the White House last night. Mr Clinton had requested the meeting as his injured knee had prevented him from seeing the Taoiseach earlier in the day.
They discussed the possible impact of the British election on the peace process, Senator Mitchell's continued role as chairman of the multi party talks, and the president's summit with President, Yeltsin later this week.