intensive campaign of harassment and intimidation against
nationalists in Armagh by the RUC over the past number of weeks
finally exploded into the wider public consciousness on Tuesday,
18 November.
The increasing level of harassment and provocation and the
arrest, once again, of Lurgan man Colin Duffy led resentment to
burst forth onto the streets of Armagh City and Lurgan.
In the past few weeks one solicitor's firm in Armagh had received
over 100 complaints from nationalists of harassment by the RUC.
It appears that the RUC have been given carte blanche at a senior
level for their actions.
It is clear that the only cessation being observed by any of the
armed groups in the Six Counties is that of the IRA. The British
Army and the RUC have intensified their activities in nationalist
areas.
Threats to the current peace process are emanating entirely from
the British and Unionist camp. Those threats are coming from
unionist politicians who are refusing to engage in the
negotiations process and from the militarists within the British
security services and political establishment who have yet to be
brought to heel by Tony Blair's government.
As the events in Armagh demonstrate, the British policy of
militarisation has been increased and expanded. Figures released
last week show that there are now more British soldiers in the
Six Counties than there were before the IRA ceasefire (up from
10,395 in 1996 to 11,016 now). Nationalist communities are still
subjected to house raids. Routine daily harassment of the
population continues as does surveillance, targeting, and the
building of military installations.
For faith to be injected into the peace process the British
government needs to replace the current security agenda with a
peaceful political agenda. Otherwise the entire process will be
brought down by the actions of those on the British side who have
no interest in it surviving.
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