BELFAST, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Northern Ireland waited in hope Tuesday for a momentous disarmament move by the IRA that could signal the rebirth of the British province's stricken peace accord.Republican sources in Belfast said the Irish Republican Army was likely to give a quick reply to an unprecedented call by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams for it to disarm.
Adams -- whose party is the political ally of the IRA -- threw a lifeline to the peace process Monday when he said it was time for the guerrillas to hand in the arms they have used in a war that has killed 3,600 on both sides over three decades.
Commentators said he would not make such an appeal without knowing in advance it would succeed.
One republican source said the IRA would respond ``sooner rather than later.'' With Adams due to travel to a function in London later Tuesday, it was thought the IRA's seven-member ''army council'' might respond before then.
Security analysts said the IRA, which is observing a cease-fire in its campaign to end British rule in the province, would not spurn the appeal made jointly by Adams and Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.
The Sept. 11 attacks in America and U.S. outrage at international terrorism have put pressure on the IRA to make good an offer it made 18 months ago to forego its weapons.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams speaks to the press during a news conference in, west Belfast, Northern Ireland, October 22, 2001. Adams said that he and Martin McGuinness had held discussions with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and urged them to start disarming to rescue Northern Ireland's crumbling peace process. (Paul McErlane/Reuters)