A scaling down of the British army presence in Northern Ireland, including the planned demolition of two structures in south Armagh, has been announced by the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
This marks the first tangible response from the British government to Saturday's IRA pledge to verifiably put its arms beyond use. Further "normalisation" or demilitarisation is scheduled if the security situation permits.
Sir Ronnie said yesterday evening that the British army bases in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, and on the nationalist west bank of the Foyle in Derry were to be demolished, with work beginning in a matter of weeks.
Two observation posts on top of high-rise buildings at Broadway and New Lodge in west and north Belfast are to be vacated, and the Cloghogue observation base in south Armagh close to the Border on the main road between Dublin and Belfast is to be demolished.
He added that "subject to continuing reduction in the level of threat" the large observation sangar overlooking the square in Crossmaglen in south Armagh would be demolished "within three months". This first move to reduce the British military presence in south Armagh is being viewed by republicans as important and symbolic. The demilitarisation moves were welcomed by the SDLP and Sinn Fein, while the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, said he was certain that such measures would only be undertaken based on the sound professional judgment of Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, welcomed the move last night and said he hoped that "contributions on the ground will enable us safely to make further changes in due course".
Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, said if the demilitarisation programme was carried out diligently it would "help create the conditions in which we can demonstrate that politics work".
The south Armagh SDLP Assembly member, Mr John Fee, particularly welcomed the decision to remove the military installation in Crossmaglen. "It is almost impossible to describe the sense of siege and occupation that has pervaded south Armagh for so long. The sense of relief for families in these areas will be overwhelming," he added.
Mr Trimble said he was quite confident the Chief Constable "will be exercising his judgment based on purely professional considerations as to what is necessary to counter the threat". Mr Ian Paisley jnr said the security measures were scandalous. "Obviously the people of Northern Ireland have only seen the tip of the iceberg with regards to what the Hillsborough deal really means," he added.
Sir Ronnie indicated that there could be a further security scaledown in the months ahead. There would be a review of the security situation in three months, he said.
