LONDON?Sparking expectations of a breakthrough, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams urged the Irish Republican Army Monday to begin disarming to save Northern Ireland?s peace process.

Adams? call came within days of the likely collapse of Northern Ireland?s power sharing government, created as part of the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998 but hobbled repeatedly by the disarmament issue.

As in 1997, when the IRA announced a cease-fire a day after Adams publicly recommended it, his speech raised expectations of a quick IRA gesture. British and Irish officials welcomed the words, but skeptical Protestants demanded action.

Leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party, whose support is essential to the survival of Northern Ireland’s government, resigned their posts last week hoping to force an IRA move.