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The Irish Republican Socialist Party's North West spokesperson, Willie Gallagher said that whilst proposed British Army troop reductions in South Derry are to be welcomed, they fall far short of the demilitarisation required by the Nationalist community.
"Whilst the IRSP give a cautious welcome to the conditional reduction of British troop levels in South Derry, this reduction in itself is not enough to demilitarise the British presence in the six counties. "What the Nationalist working class community requires is the permanent dismantling of the British military machine in Ireland. This should include the closure of British Army bases in Belfast and elsewhere, the dismantling of intrusive military watchtowers along the border, and in Derry City." In conclusion Mr. Gallagher said, "These measures in conjunction with general British troop reductions are what is required. "It should be remembered that most British military installations in the six counties are built in Nationalist areas and have a detrimental effect on the quality of life in these areas. It is imperative that the British demilitarisation is real and meaningful and not a cosmetic media exercise." |