The Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, has criticised what he said were attempts to make the decommissioning of IRA weapons a pre-condition for further political progress in Northern Ireland.

Speaking in Washington, Mr Adams stressed that de-militarisation also had to embrace the question of British troops in Northern Ireland.

Mr Adams will hold talks later today at the White House with the National Security Advisor, and possibly with President Clinton.

Mr Clinton has been publicly urged to press Mr Adams on the issue of decomissioning arms.