NCJ Number
26570
Journal
CONFLICT STUDIES Issue: 50 Dated: (OCTOBER 1974) Pages: 7-24
Date Published
1974
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED ANTI-TERRORIST ACTION BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES SINCE 1972 ARE ANALYZED AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF POLITICAL WARRING AND INFIGHTING IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
Abstract
THE SECURITY FORCES HERE REFERRED TO ARE COMPOSED OF BRITISH ARMY UNITS, THE ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT (UDR) AND THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY (RUC). THEIR STEPPED-UP PROGRAM OF FLEXIBLE OPERATIONS HAS HAD THE EFFECT OF CAUSING NEW ERUPTIONS OF EXTREMIST VIOLENCE. URBAN OPERATIONS DROVE THE PROVISIONAL IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) INTO THE RURAL AREAS SOUTH OF BELFAST, THUS CAUSING GREATER PROBLEMS FOR RURAL AND BORDER SECURITY. LESS IRA ACTIVITY IN BELFAST OPENED THE CITY TO LOYALIST TERRORIST ATTACKS. HAVING LOST THE SHOOTING WAR, THE IRA HAS TURNED TO AN INCREASED PROGRAM OF BOMBINGS AND FIRE BOMBINGS OF 'SOFT' TARGETS BOTH IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND GREAT BRITAIN. SUCH EFFECTS AND COUNTEREFFECTS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY AND GOVERNMENT RETALIATION ARE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH THE ROLE OF PROPAGANDA, INTERNMENT OF IRISH POLITICAL TERRORISTS, THE USE OF CHILDREN IN TERRORIST ACTIVITY, AND THE PROBLEMS OF POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ISSUES. PART 1 DEALS ONLY WITH HISTORY AND WAS NOT ABSTRACTED.