Military Situation in Ireland 'Far from Normal' - RSF

national | miscellaneous | press release Monday December 08, 2008 16:53 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin tiocfaidh at btinternet dot com +44-7835 620 592 / +353-87 261 8603

The credibility of a recent announcement of a 'reduction' in British Crown Forces' personnel from January has been called into question by Republican Sinn Féin.

It has been revealed that the so-called “reduction” of British military personnel in the Six Occupied Counties to their “final” level (i.e. until reinforcements are required) in January will only see the departure of thirty Crown personnel. Up to 5,000 British troops will remain permanently garrisoned within the statelet.

The fact that these will continue to be used to deal with bomb disposal activities gives the lie to the claim that the RUC are now able to control the area themselves. The outgoing chief Brit, Chris Browne, openly admits that “there is no suggestion that the PSNI (sic) have the resources or the desire to create a bomb disposal unit.”

A spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin said “doubtless the Provos will be quick to claim this as a victory, when in reality the status quo is to remain indefinitely.

“Recent admissions by Hugh Orde that his force are unable to patrol the streets as they please because of the ever resurgent military opposition to English rule shows that the military situation in Ireland is far from 'normal'.

“The only normal number of British soldiers in our country is none. Brown admits that 'this is not a withdrawal,' but a full British withdrawal remains the Republican demand.”

ENDS