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08/05/2003
UUP councillor criticises Army watchtower decision
The Newry and Armagh UUP councillor Danny Kennedy has strongly criticised the Government for proceeding with the dismantling of two Army watchtowers in south Armagh.
Mr Kennedy said the Government was wrong to go ahead with the dismantling since no clarity had been given from the republican movement given that they have yet to engage in any "real acts of completion".
He added: “This is a premature move and nothing more than a sop to Sinn Fein to keep them at the negotiating table. All of these issues were allegedly going to be brought forward as a result of the IRA statement but it has fallen short of the mark so why is the Government proceeding to remove security installations when there is still no clear and unambiguous declaration from the IRA that their war is over.
“The Government should not be acting in this manner but should be standing up to the Republican movement.”
Confirmation of the dismantling of Tievecrum and Cloghogue, close to the border with the Republic of Ireland, was contained in the document published by the British Government after Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the delay of the assembly elections last week.
The move is seen as part of the Government's normalisation programme which will see the scaling down of military bases and the number of soldiers stationed in the province.
It is hoped that in time just 14 military bases and 5,000 soldiers would remain in the province.
(MB)
Mr Kennedy said the Government was wrong to go ahead with the dismantling since no clarity had been given from the republican movement given that they have yet to engage in any "real acts of completion".
He added: “This is a premature move and nothing more than a sop to Sinn Fein to keep them at the negotiating table. All of these issues were allegedly going to be brought forward as a result of the IRA statement but it has fallen short of the mark so why is the Government proceeding to remove security installations when there is still no clear and unambiguous declaration from the IRA that their war is over.
“The Government should not be acting in this manner but should be standing up to the Republican movement.”
Confirmation of the dismantling of Tievecrum and Cloghogue, close to the border with the Republic of Ireland, was contained in the document published by the British Government after Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the delay of the assembly elections last week.
The move is seen as part of the Government's normalisation programme which will see the scaling down of military bases and the number of soldiers stationed in the province.
It is hoped that in time just 14 military bases and 5,000 soldiers would remain in the province.
(MB)
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