[NYTr] British Say Northern Ireland Stable

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

British Say Northern Ireland Stable

Belfast, Sept 18 (Prensa Latina) British minister for Northern Ireland,
Shaun Woodward, confirmed stability in that province as a result of
power sharing between Catholics and Protestants.

Expressing satisfaction over the existing security after 30 years of
sectarian violence and a massive presence of British soldiers, Woodward
foresaw a rapid return to an autonomous government, which is a
responsibility of the departments of Justice and Interior.

Although the minister did not speak of dates, authorities expect to
assume control no later than May 2008.

The Catholic-Protestant coalition government was installed last May
after a five year suspension during which London assumed control.

Information released by the International Control Commission expressed
conviction that the IRA is committed to political activity and truly
renounced armed struggle to end British presence in Northern Ireland.

It reported, however, that there are threats by dissident groups
opposed to sharing power between Catholics and Protestants although it
points out that they lack capacity of organizing a sustained resistance
to the British army and Northern Irish police.

The commission further assures that British military presence in the
region is made up of 4,275 soldiers and 10 control posts. During the
moments of greatest violence in the province, London had deployed than
30 thousand soldiers there.

ef hav avp mf

PL-4