Letter printed in the Irish News, Oct 11^th, 2000

Truth would be welcome in British armoury

BACK home from a three-week visit to the north, I am deeply worried about the obvious difference between the announcements of the British army on demilitarisation and my experiences of their presence and behaviour.

On Friday September 29, I strolled through Derry’s city centre.

At about 4pm two Land Rovers with two armed soldiers on top of each – each soldier with helmet and gun – came up Ferryquay Street towards the Diamond.

I could hardly believe my eyes because only days before the British army had issued a statement that no patrolling was taking place within the city’s limit.

The Diamond is not only within the city’s limit, it’s the very centre of the city!

The British army obviously didn’t care
that everyone out shopping on a Friday afternoon could see that they were not keeping their word.

The army statement was a reaction to Sinn Fein councillor Gerry MacLochlainn, who voiced the complaints of local people about increased patrolling in Derry recently.

I wonder if the increased patrols are due to the arrogance of a local commander with the old colonial attitude or if they are part of an overall British army strategy.

Lies on such an issue are very worrying indeed.

Before visiting Derry, I spent a few days in south Armagh with a German human rights delegation.

At least, the monstrous sangar which overlooked the centre of Crossmaglen had been demolished since my previous visit in April, but the huge RUC/British army barracks was still there.

British foot soldiers are still patrolling several times a day and there is almost no escape from the noise of helicopters in the air.

On Saturday September 23 we watched a football match between Culloville and Silverbridge on the Crossmaglen GAA pitch.

During the match a helicopter flew several sorties from the barracks beneath the pitch to the next hilltop and back – causing maximum disruption to the match.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that helicopters are used only when necessary and disturbance and inconvenience are kept to the minimum.”

That was the reply of the NIO to my complaints about the militarisation of the area last May.

The level of harassment I witnessed recently was not unusual at present.

This indicates that the British army has a way to go to overcome the resistance against change and peace within its ranks.

Telling the truth would be a first step.

Dr USCHI GRANDEL
Regensburg, Germany