SENATOR Edward Kennedy has expressed disappointment with the reaction from both the British government and the republican movement to his recent speech calling for a ceasefire to be followed rapidly by Sinn Fein's entry to talks.
"Many Americans have difficulty understanding how the Prime Minister can be talking to the representatives of the IRA when they are involved in violence, as Mr Major was, and then to have a whole period of 17 months when there is no violence and refusing to engage in conversation.
"That is a phenomenon that Americans find very, very difficult to understand, particularly when they've seen the parties that were at war in Bosnia meeting in Dayton even though there had been the most inhumane kind of cruelties."
The senator was speaking with reporters at his Washington office. He hoped that, on further consideration, the British government would give his proposal a more favourable response.
Asked if he thought there would be enough time to bring Sinn Fein to the table when the talks resumed on June 3rd, should the IRA call a ceasefire now, the senator said it appeared to him that there was sufficient time. "We don't want to lose this opportunity."
He was critical of the notion that no move could be made on Northern Ireland until after the Westminster election. "I reject it and I would think that the people in the North would reject it.
He said that "people have to make bold steps for peace" and this was "an opportunity that is still available and we'd be hopeful that it would be taken".
Expressing disappointment with the republican movement's response to his speech, Mr Kennedy again emphasised his desire to see the IRA renewing its ceasefire.
"It's absolutely essential that they do," he said. Americans of all political affiliations wanted an end "to the violence now and were disgusted by the continuing IRA campaign."
"That is a very, very real and very deep position that I hold every member of our family holds it and I know the President holds it," he added.
Responding to unionist criticism of his speech as giving comfort to those involved in violence he said: "My fundamental commitment has been to the end of violence and calling on the IRA to end violence completely, and totally and without condition.