An Phoblacht/Republican News   ·   Thursday October 26 1995

New British GOC appointed

Paras to return

BY MICK NAUGHTON

NEWS that a new British Army General Officer Commanding (GOC) for the Six Counties has been appointed and that the Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment is to return to the North next year have highlighted the fact that the British government is determined to sustain its war machine in Ireland at a time when it is lecturing republicans about "decommissioning" IRA weapons.

Now serving as United Nations military commander in Bosnia, Lieutenant General Rupert Smith is to become overall commander of the British army in the Six Counties early next year when he will replace Major-General Roger Wheeler, a deputy colonel in the Royal Irish Regiment.

Smith has held various commands in his military career, including an armoured division during the Gulf War. Joining the Parachute Regiment in 1964, Smith commanded its 3rd Battalion from 1982-85, and later the Sixth Airmobile Brigade. Three years ago this December he took up the appointment of Assistant Chief of the British Defence Staff (Operations and Security) shortly before he went to Bosnia.

While serving in Ireland in 1978 Smith was injured in South Armagh. As a footpatrol under his command made its way through Crossmaglen an IRA land mine concealed in a parked car detonated, seriously injuring several patrol members. Smith received minor burns in the explosion.

PARAS REDEPLOYED

The news that the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment is to return next year for a six-month tour has prompted Sinn Féin's Six-County Chairperson Gearoid O hÉara to accuse the British government of showing contempt for the peace process. O hÉara called on British Prime Minister John Major to prove his commitment to the peace process by "immediately overruling the decisions and initiating a programme of demilitarisation by withdrawing troops".