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25/04/2003
PM must signal that RIR will not be disbanded
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been asked to send an urgent and clear signal to soldiers in the Gulf that the Royal Irish Regiment will not be disbanded.
The call, in a letter to Mr Blair from UUP leader David Trimble, follows a meeting between Mr Trimble and the Secretary of State Paul Murphy on the issue last week.
During the war in Iraq the First Battalion of the RIR was deployed around safer terrain close to the Rumaylah oil fields and was involved in what its commander Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins described as dealing with the "detritus of war".
This included accepting the surrender of Iraqi troops and making safe unused ammunition. After the fighting ended they were heavily involved in humanitarian work.
Mr Trimble revealed details of his letter to the PM during his address to the Banbridge Branch of the Ulster Unionist Party last night.
He said it was important to dispel what he described as “considerable press speculation” over reports that the Royal Irish Regiment home service battalions are to be severely cut back. He explained these rumours were fuelled, following some remarks made by senior Army Officers.
“I feel it is vital that the Government sends an urgent and clear signal that the Royal Irish Regiment is a much valued part of the British Army and that it will not be disbanded,” Mr Trimble said.
“This issue is particularly insensitive at a time when the Royal Irish Regiment has played a forward role in the War in Iraq.
“The Government needs to end this uncertainty.”
(AMcE)
The call, in a letter to Mr Blair from UUP leader David Trimble, follows a meeting between Mr Trimble and the Secretary of State Paul Murphy on the issue last week.
During the war in Iraq the First Battalion of the RIR was deployed around safer terrain close to the Rumaylah oil fields and was involved in what its commander Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins described as dealing with the "detritus of war".
This included accepting the surrender of Iraqi troops and making safe unused ammunition. After the fighting ended they were heavily involved in humanitarian work.
Mr Trimble revealed details of his letter to the PM during his address to the Banbridge Branch of the Ulster Unionist Party last night.
He said it was important to dispel what he described as “considerable press speculation” over reports that the Royal Irish Regiment home service battalions are to be severely cut back. He explained these rumours were fuelled, following some remarks made by senior Army Officers.
“I feel it is vital that the Government sends an urgent and clear signal that the Royal Irish Regiment is a much valued part of the British Army and that it will not be disbanded,” Mr Trimble said.
“This issue is particularly insensitive at a time when the Royal Irish Regiment has played a forward role in the War in Iraq.
“The Government needs to end this uncertainty.”
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but a few late sunny spells most likely towards Down and Antrim. Clearer skes becoming more widespread later this evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
