De-militarization of Northern Ireland

[praxis1966]

Close on the heals of Oglaigh na hEireann's disarmament announcement comes another historic declaration. The British government has released its plan to normalize the policing of Northern Ireland. The plan, which will take place over the next 24 months, is to include provisions for a large scale dismantling of the military apparatus in the Six Counties. Notable points of the plan include a roll back of occupational forces by over 50% and a repeal of all anti-terrorism legislation aimed at the region. For complete details, see the An Phoblacht article here (http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/10638) (e-mail is [email protected], password is revleft).

Ian Paisley of the DUP responds with the usual vitriol: BBC Article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4126212.stm).

(I figured since noone else had begun a discussion on the matter that I should.)

[bolshevik butcher]

Its taken them long enough, well this can only be a good thing.

[slim]

Taking away anti terror legislation will not solve anything and means little.

It will probably be replaced with similar legislation that exists across the UK.

The main good thing is that the army are reducing visibility. Northern Ireland in my view should be an independent state. Free from the Brits (catholics happy) and free from the South ( orange happy). If they want representation in the UN then they should think about peace.

I await the day when the UVF and UFF end the war... It seems one sided.

[Sir Aunty Christ]

Long overdue. In fact, in my opinion it was a bad idea to send troops in in the first place. It probably lengthened the conflict by 20 years or so.

As for the DUP, it seems that the IRA's statement was their worst nightmare because everything coming from them since then tells me that they're in denial about there now being no excuse for not talking to Sinn Fein.

[slim]

Yea,

Paisley wants proof that the IRA mean they want peace. WTF!!!

[Reds]

what do the british gain by not allowing Northern Ireland to join the rest of Ireland.

[PRC-UTE]

The troop pullouts will make some things better, for the people in areas that have been harrassed by these thugs, but remember that England's only pulling out because they've won. The largest nationalist group are disarming and the Loyalists are as well armed as ever.

In fact, there's no indication that sectarian violence will decrease, as it's only increased since the provo disarming statement.

Woman flees after intimidation (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4673327.stm)

Officers attacked during inquiry (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4388059.stm)

Attacks prompt fire blankets move (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4135412.stm)

Petrol attack on SF man's house (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4133780.stm)

Loyalists blamed for bomb attack (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4131332.stm)