Opponents of Sinn Fein say they want action from the IRA

The Sinn Fein leader said the climate was now right for the IRA to "fully embrace and accept" democratic means.

The terror group issued the statement on Thursday after Mr Adams said the way forward was "by building political support" for "democratic objectives".

His call has been welcomed by the US, British and Irish governments.

Republicans have been under pressure since the �26.5m Northern Bank raid and the killing of Robert McCartney.

The IRA statement said: "The leadership of the IRA was given notice of the appeal by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams. We have noted his comments.

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"The IRA will give his appeal due consideration and will respond in due course."

Gerry Adams later welcomed the IRA response and said his plea was "a genuine attempt to drive the peace process forward" and not an electoral ploy.

"This is about leadership. It is about trying to give leadership in difficult circumstances. The thinking had nothing to do with elections," he said.

Responding to Mr Adams' Wednesday statement, Chief Constable Hugh Orde said: "I am on record before as saying that we will wait and see what that means.

"It is a statement made by a political party which it would be wrong of me as a chief constable, at this particular moment in time, to make any particular observation on."

Is the IRA endgame nearing? Reaction to Adams speech Read Gerry Adams' speech

Attacking the Sinn Fein leader's statement, Ulster Unionist David Burnside claimed Mr Adams was inextricably linked with the IRA leadership.

"Gerry Adams' contemptible statement is made for one reason only - to try and maintain Roman Catholic support for Sinn Fein in the forthcoming election," said the South Antrim MP.

Catholic Primate Sean Brady welcomed Mr Adams' appeal to the IRA.

The archbishop said the initiative had the potential to unlock a new hope for lasting peace.

In a statement issued from Rome, where he is preparing to attend the Pope's funeral, Archbishop Brady called on the IRA to respond quickly and generously to Mr Adams' appeal.

"People are weary of the old ways of the past. They yearn for and they deserve so much more," he said.

'Significant'

Overnight, President Bush's administration also welcomed the Sinn Fein leader's comments.

The US State Department said it was now waiting for concrete actions by the IRA to support the policy advocated by the Sinn Fein president.

On Wednesday, Downing Street said Mr Adams' statement was "significant" but opponents say they want IRA action, not Sinn Fein words.

In his statement, Mr Adams said the IRA had "kept every commitment made by its leadership" but the struggle had "reached a defining moment" and he appealed for members to move forward.

"The way forward is by building political support for republican and democratic objectives across Ireland and by winning support for these goals internationally," he said.