What was left of the "Official" IRA was troubled by the rising sectarianism and called an indefinite ceasefire.

The Provisionals, who had been escalating their campaign, suddenly declared a ceasefire to see what the British government would offer. The IRA's leaders were slipped into London for secret talks at the Chelsea home of a government minister.

But Northern Ireland Secretary William Whitelaw rejected their demands for withdrawal, saying they were not only naive but politically impossible.

The meeting may have proved a pivotal point for one young member of the IRA delegation, Gerry Adams. British officials believe Adams knew that physical force would not be enough - they would need a political strategy in the long campaign ahead.

Two weeks after the failed talks, the IRA detonated more than 20 bombs in Belfast, killing nine and injuring 130. Bloody Friday remains one of its worst single acts of violence of the Troubles.