Troops 'could pull out by Christmas'
04 October 2004 - Belfast Telegraph
Britain's most senior military officers are optimistic a breakthrough in the peace process could see troops start to pull out of Northern Ireland by Christmas.
General Sir Mike Jackson, chief of the general staff, said that it was "quite possible" that the trigger for the army's "normalisation" process in Northern Ireland could come "this side of Christmas".
Senior military and civil service officials in London believe there are signs that the Provisional IRA are preparing a statement about the "end of the war" that might overcome concerns among unionist politicians.
The green light for troop withdrawals can only follow a political agreement.
Both governments could not come to an agreement in talks at Leeds Castle last month, but there were encouraging signs of movement, even though there remains an absence of trust between Sinn Fein and the DUP.
A final peace deal would see troop levels cut from their present 11,200 to 5,000 within two years.
However, nothing can start by the way of troop withdrawals until the London and Dublin governments agree that there is the right 'enabling environment' in Northern Ireland.
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I think the US could learn from this. You don't win a war on terror when all the terrorists are dead, but when you find a moderate to negotiate with, thus dividing the terrorist cause and pacifying the majority of the populace instead of polarising them.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
-Dale Jury
yeah totally.
Ireland in general is a great example of how peace makes peace and war makes war. - Everybody should have to study that conflict in school. The Irish nationalist movement was one of the bloodiest and most pointless conflicts in the worlds history. It was only when both sides decided that the didn't want to fight anymore and that peace is always the better option that Ireland became indepentdant. Not only that but through finally taking the peaceful option, both sides basically got what they wanted.
I am in complete support for Northern Ireland to be reunited or to become it's own state and the last few years have been very inspirational for me to see what can be achieved when the IRA decided that peace was the step forward. While it took some time for the Orange men (The British invaders) to support peace as well, I think there is now a bright future there.
Ireland in general is a great example of how peace makes peace and war makes war. - Everybody should have to study that conflict in school. The Irish nationalist movement was one of the bloodiest and most pointless conflicts in the worlds history. It was only when both sides decided that the didn't want to fight anymore and that peace is always the better option that Ireland became indepentdant. Not only that but through finally taking the peaceful option, both sides basically got what they wanted.
I am in complete support for Northern Ireland to be reunited or to become it's own state and the last few years have been very inspirational for me to see what can be achieved when the IRA decided that peace was the step forward. While it took some time for the Orange men (The British invaders) to support peace as well, I think there is now a bright future there.
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HighDemonslayer
- Egyptian Footgod
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