|
 QUIS SEPERABIT?
If your latin is rusty the above translates as Who shall separate us?
The answer as far as Northern Ireland's protestant
majority is concerned is quite simple - Tony Blair.
Largely un-reported in the mainstream UK and US media is the increasing
anger and feelings of betrayal being expressed by the British
supporting population of Ulster. And resentment at the disbandment is not confined to Dr Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party.
When asked what was the difference between the current terror campaign
and an equally vicious one conducted by the IRA, Tony Blair had this to
say:
"I think it
is invidious to make comparisons of one type of terrorism
with another - I don't think you can compare the political demands of
republicans with the political demands of this terrorist ideology we
are facing now"
Robert McCartney
QC, leader of the UK Unionist Party
(a 'moderate brand' of
Unionism)
wrote that: - The absurd and
hypocritical distinctions which Tony Blair has made
between republican violence and that of al-Qaida is an insult not only
to the victims of Northern Ireland but to the intelligence of
law-abiding people.
McCartney's 'Belfast Telegraph' article
continued:
The Prime Minister also suggested that al-Qaida was
prepared to kill
unlimited numbers of people which, in his view, the IRA was not
prepared to do. This enabled him to take a different view of the two,
post-September 11, when some 3,000 people died. The utter foolishness
of this reasoning is mind-boggling.
In Northern Ireland, the IRA
and its republican associates have
murdered at least 1,700 British citizens including police and military
personnel. In proportion to the population of the mainland UK and the
USA, this is equivalent, in broad terms, to 60,000 dead in the UK and
getting on for 280,000 in the United States, to say nothing of hundreds
and thousands of seriously injured.
Moreover, while the USA and the
UK have suffered single or a limited
number of attacks, the people of Northern Ireland have lived under the
daily threat of violence for 30 years. Only the Israelis have suffered
such a prolonged and constant exposure to terrorist violence. How would
the US have reacted to an attempted assassination of the President and
his executive or a mortar bomb attack on the White House?
Tony Blair's suggestion that
the degree of electoral support for the
political objectives of murderous terrorists is the criteria for a
government's willingness to negotiate with them represents a total
failure to understand either the principles of democracy or the nature
of political terrorism.
The release of the IRA's
long-awaited statement, which Tony Blair had
almost certainly seen and approved before its issue, goes some way to
explaining the absurd statements he made at his press conference. To
the "seismic shifts" and "historic breakthroughs" of the past, he has
now hailed the current IRA statement as one of "unparalleled
significance".
The unionist community is right
to be both suspicious and sceptical of
the statements of an organisation of whom a former member says "they
lie the way normal people breathe". Adams and McGuinness are now said
to have resigned from the Army Council after decades of denial that
they were even in the IRA, while it took 30 years for them to admit the
killing of a Londonderry schoolgirl and the murder of two soldiers to
give substance to their lies.
Since September 11, much of the
IRA's arsenal has been a depreciating
asset. The weapons of current value are the more recently-acquired
handguns and semi-automatic weapons necessary to support the
criminality, social terrorism, and community control which is now the
main activity of their service units. Eamonn McCann has pointed out
that neither government has currently called upon the IRA to disband,
and a role for it and its weapons might be found for enforcing "policy
decisions" in the republican ghettos. The IRA statement pointedly draws
a distinction between weapons which service units are required to
"dump", i.e. "hide in the thatch" and those which might be the subject
of any decommissioning process.
Nowhere in the IRA statement
does the word "permanent" appear. The
decision to end the "armed campaign" has been taken to advance the goal
of a united Ireland through the full implementation of the Good Friday
Agreement; which, according to David Trimble, Sinn Fein neither signed
nor even verbally endorsed. The statement asserts the IRA's belief that
there is now an alternative way to end British rule and achieve Irish
unity, but the nature of this avenue is not spelt out. It does,
however, raise real concerns as to what exactly Mr Blair and his
devious assistant, Jonathan Powell, have promised "under the counter",
something to which unionists must give the most detailed scrutiny.
Unsurprisingly, the murderous gang calling itself the IRA Army Council
proclaims the legitimacy of its armed struggle - a legitimacy seemingly
recognised by the executive decision of the British government to
release the Shankill Bomber, Sean Kelly, who was returned to prison for
renewed terrorist involvement.
The statement offers no
specific definition of what activity falls
within the term "armed struggle". The IRA denies that any of its
members are engaged in criminal activity and since "volunteers" will
allegedly henceforth be solely engaged in the development of political
and democratic programmes by peaceful means, any ongoing criminal
activity will not be accepted as the responsibility of the Army
Council. This will be a repetition of Sinn Fein's assertion that it was
not the IRA and, therefore, had no weapons to decommission, a ploy
which absolved Sinn Fein from political liability.
Since, presently, there is no
call for disbandment by either
government, there is, not surprisingly, no mention of this in the
statement. Instead, there is a veiled suggestion that both the
organisation and some of its weapons may have to be maintained as
necessary to defend nationalist and republican areas.
The Reverend Ian Paisley's Democratic
Unionist Party, which won a crushing electoral victory to
replace David Trimble's conciliatory approach, held a press conference
at Stormont concerning the
UK government’s plans for security normalisation in Northern
Ireland.
Speaking Dr Paisley said, “The
Government’s so-called
normalisation programme
will have a profound impact on the political process in Northern
Ireland. It is a surrender to the IRA and is further evidence of bad
faith on the part of the Government. We are appalled at the
dishonest and dangerous approach of the Government with today’s
announcement of ‘normalisation’ and we want to make it clear that it
will pay a high price for the approach that is being taken.
Only last week the Government
indicated that words
were not enough and that only actions would be satisfactory from the
IRA. However, yet again we see the Government prepared to take
republicans at their word. Have they learnt nothing from
history? Already in only a matter of days the Government has
rushed into announcing decisions which are the product of a political
deal not security considerations.
Although the Secretary of State
has confirmed that
this is the outworking of an agreement entered into in April 2003 which
was negotiated by the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein, he had a
responsibility to consult with those who now represent unionism.
This he has failed to do. The Joint Declaration negotiated by David
Trimble and Reg Empey is now coming back to haunt the people of the
Province.
This bilateral agreement
between the Government and
the IRA will have serious consequences for the political process.
The Secretary of State may believe that today’s statement will bring
forward devolution, but the reality is that it will delay its
return.
The Secretary of State should
be aware that of all
the political parties in Northern Ireland, the DUP needs devolution the
least and whilst we have no control over many decisions that the
Government takes, we do have a veto on the return of devolution.
The Government may wish to avoid dealing with the DUP in taking its
decisions, but there are some things they cannot do without the support
of the unionist community. We alone will dictate when we enter
negotiations with the Government about devolution. We alone will
dictate when, if ever, we enter discussions with Sinn Fein and we alone
will dictate when, if ever, and in what circumstances, we enter an
administration with Sinn Fein. There is a price which we are not
prepared to pay for the return of devolution.
The destruction of the RIR
represents yet another
example of how this Government treats those who have put their lives on
the line and made sacrifices during the Troubles. It is a
scandalous betrayal of those who have given their lives to protect the
community. The RIR have now to go the same way as the RUC, the
USC and the UDR. We salute the memory of the gallant men and
women who paid the supreme price and who are now quickly forgotten by
the Government.
The Government needs to learn
that they are no
longer dealing with David Trimble and Reg Empey. The era of
pushover unionism is over. There will be a penalty for the
Government to pay for the decisions it has taken to date and a further
penalty if there are more concessions. When we meet the Secretary
of State on Wednesday we will set out the penalties which we will
impose and will raise the matter with the Prime Minister face to face.
The Government’s statement is a
further sop to
republicans and will be condemned by virtually every unionist in
Northern Ireland.”
According to the Belfast Telegraph
two-thirds of Army sites have been closed since the IRA's first
declared ceasefire in 1994. The number of troops has fallen by almost
half during the same time
period.
Ministry of Defence figures revealed that 33 military sites, including
bases, training areas, joint police and Army bases, communication sites
and watchtowers, stay in operation. Records show that there were about
19,000 troops using 106 sites shortly before the IRA began its
ceasefire.
• Around one-third of the sites
were closed in the five years that
followed and 5,000 troops were shipped out of Northern Ireland.
• Three weeks ago, there were 66
military sites closed, with 40 remaining
in operation.
• Seven more posts have been
deemed to be closed since the IRA announced
an end to its armed campaign last Thursday, although soldiers remain on
those sites to carry out demolition work that is expected to last for
months.
• On Friday the Army began
dismantling three posts in south Armagh,
including its base at Forkhill.
• Army engineers began working on
two more south Armagh installations on
Monday, along with watchtowers at Masonic in Londonderry.
The number of troops has fallen to just over 10,000. About 6,000 are
regular Army, around 3,000 are members of the Royal Irish Regiment's
home service battalions and approximately 1,000 are RAF personnel. Five
thousand soldiers are due to go in the next two years. The
disbandment of the RIR battalions will account for most of those cuts.
Acts
of verifiable IRA decomissioning are still awaited.
Below are examples of comments appearing on an Ulster Defence Regiment
website, following the announcements that the home service battalions
were to be disbanded as another part of the 'peace process'
choreography. It would be a mistake to dismiss them as the rantings of
extremists.
The first member of the security forces to be killed shortly after the
arrival of British Troops in Northern Ireland was a policeman -
Constable Victor Arbuckle.
He was shot during a confrontation between the security forces and
protestants on the Shankill Road in Belfast.
Having
just read
the statement of Maj. Gen. Sir Reddy Watt, KCVO, CBE (
who ever he is ) I cannot help but think of the old addage, " when
ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise "
In his statement he says, " I can reassure all members of the Home
Service battalions that, in considering how to handle this difficult
period of transition, the Government is COMITTED to treating FAIRLY,
and with DIGNITY, those who have given so much "
My mind is reeling trying to figure out which Government the General is
refering to.
Is it the Government of Blair that is COMITTED TO FAIR DEALING, AND
DIGNITY? If it is, the General is a fool and ignorant of the events of
the recent passed.
If the General had walked with me in the dead of night, from East
Belfast, down the Albertbridge Road, passing Short Strand, across the
bridge through the Markets, and on to Lislea Drive, to put in a nights
duty, 4 times a week, I am sure he would be a lot wiser than to trust
the Government being COMITTED TO FAIR TREATMENT AND DIGNITY, to those
who have given so much.
I have said before, it aint over til its over .
So praise the Lord and pass the ammo.
IT AINT OVER TIL ITS OVER. |
Peter Hain's
decision to demolish army watchtowers, disband three
battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and withdraw the army from
routinely supporting the police in upholding the rule of law is no more
than one should expect from a government which has long abdicated its
responsibility for governing the United Kingdom.
I was brought up to believe that the primary duties of any government
are to defend the realm and maintain sound money.
Given that HMG has long abandoned the latter - public expenditure and
the Public Sector Borrowing Requirement going through the roof - it
sadly comes as no surprise that Blair is no longer willing to defend
the realm from external aggression or subversives and terrorists.
Whilst Tony Blair and his Ministers turn a blind eye to the other Blair
? Sir Ian ? authorising the Metropolitan Police to use a shoot-to-kill
policy to take out terrorists on the streets of London, no such policy
was ever permitted to be discharged by the security forces on the
streets of Northern Ireland.
Had the same latitude have been given to the forces of law and order
here, countless victims of terrorism who have lost limbs, lives and
loved ones and those of us who survived untouched would today may be
spared the nauseating spectacle of seeing gangsters and murderers
freely walking the streets.
|
I Hate
to say it,
but I told you so! literally speaking. I knew this
would happen. Now we will be sold into a United Ireland because that's
exactly what Tony and Gerry have been wanting & planning since day
one.
I knew once these meglomaniacs were elected that Ulster was a
lost cause. Now that the finest regiment in the British Army is being
thrown to the wolves who is going to protect us from the new IRA. Not a
gun or bullet has been destroyed or Put beyond use (what ever thats
suppose to mean) it just breaks my heart to know how much not only my
family has sacrificed for naught.
My Great Grandfather's and uncles on
both sides were in the UVF and the Specials. Some lost their lives and
some were never the same. I have uncles and cousons today who all
served in one force or another who are having a hard time deaaling with
betrayal. I knew way back in 74 when I left that my war was over, when
I seen Protestans kill other Protestants I knew I had to leave. I knew
I could'nt stand around and watch the gangsters destroy the Newtownards
Road the way they have done.
This road like the UDR and the RIR was
once a proud bastion of up holding every thing British. Now when I
drive or walk down the the Newton I see a road desimated by greed and
stupidity. This has been a dirty war a rotten war were the only side to
have won is the IRA so thanks Mr Blair I hope you end up in hell were
you so rightly belong. "Irish terrorism is not the same as Osama
Bins"???? were've you bin Tony??(the Moon) |
I think it' a bloody disgrace what Blair
has done to these 3,000+ men
and women. I thank God they were out there at night, let some people
(not planning murder)sleep in their beds. My Father served many years
in 2UDR, and sadly he passed away in 2004. He would have been totally
disgusted with the outcome. I'm thankful he's not here now to see this.
Gerry Adams and Blair he could never stand, but to have Blair stab you
in the back, he never would have believed.
God Bless and keep those
who have gone before us, I'm sure everyone
feels the same, it's a sad day for ULSTER. FIGHT TO STAY BRITISH
I think much
of
what i am thinking has already been posted here,It was
always said that once the Labour Government got into power in this
country they would get down on their knees to please Sinn Fein/Ira and
as far as they are concerned the sooner they force the law abiding
people into a united ireland the better
.Mr Blair might be able to
"disband ' the Royal Irish Regiment but he cant sweep its members under
the carpet the way he does with everything that sinn fein/ira dont
like.
We havent gone away you know Mr Blair and Mr adams. |
I wonder if any of the
faceless *******s who are trying to bring about
this shameful act or even those who have merely contemplated disbanding
the Royal Irish Regiment Home Service have any idea of the selfless
courage, dedication and sacrafice that was offered to our country when
it was needed and just how proud and thankful the majority of Northern
Ireland's citizens are of our troops?
|
I would like to
express my disgust at the way the regiment has been
treated in the last few days. Sold out by the British Government in a
way that has disgusted all serving and past soldiers. What else can we
expect from a labour/pro nationalist government!
Our serving soldiers must now stand united in the final days and remain
proud of our history and all who paid the ultimate price for the
security of Ulster.
Faugh A Ballagh |
Stabbed in the back
again by HMG and that smiling assassin blair. and a
big f*** you very much
|
Well
well well how
history has a way of repeating itself. I don’t think
anyone serving didn’t see this coming.
But lets all look at the big
picture, the Regiment won the fight against terrorism. The IRA
surrendered they could not defeat the men and women of the REGIMENT and
the people of Ulster. The murders the women and child killers, the
bully boys the ****s of our communities have been defeated. They have
been defeated with the Regiments hands tied behind its back. This was
never a war this was a fight against terrorism a fight for freedom
against thugs, animals who threaten there own people who shoot there
own people who cared nothing for life in there so called quest, the
quest of extortion, murder, misery which now faces the rest of the
world . Remember we had no generals who commanded us, it was always the
politicians. Be PROUD all those who served we won the fight and let’s
sit back and see how the rest of the world puts up with terrorism
somehow I don’t think it will last over thirty years.
My thoughts are
with the fallen and all those who have lost loved ones to terrorism but
as this Regiment has shown with a few brave men and women who where
prepared to stand up against these bully boys you can win.
As for Blair
if he takes it from behind any longer he will need a nappy. WHOS NEXT
MR BLAIR Falklands, Gibraltar? God bless the Regiment for God, Ulster
and the Ulster people. |
|
God
bless all the guys who have paid the
ultimate sacrifice for Queen
and Country
we will not forget and i personally will not forgive.
|
|