NI troop levels 'still too high'

Troop levels in Northern Ireland are still three times higher than that envisaged in a peace-time situation, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said today.

In its second report released today, the IMC said it found troop levels in Northern Ireland - at just under 15,000 - three times higher than the 5,000-strong garrison planned once the terrorist threat in the province had been lifted.

Despite these figures, the IMC found that 10 out of 19 Army observation posts in Northern Ireland had been demolished in the last five years and that the government had shut down nearly 50% of Army bases needed to reach its peacetime target.

Other figures included in the report found:

• military bases and installations have dropped from 32 to 24, with the end target 14
• army helicopter use has been reduced by 33%, from nearly 25,000 operational hours in 1999 to 16,500
• by September, soldiers will guard 12 police stations, compared with 20 in 1999.

Commenting on the figures, Security Minister Ian Pearson said the report showed that a "significant reduction of the security profile" had taken place since December 1999.

"As the IMC report makes clear, all normalisation arrangements must be contingent upon and must be measured against the prevailing security threat," the Minister said.

"The level of community support that the police enjoy is also a vital factor. For government's part, the day when we can have normal security arrangements in Northern Ireland cannot come soon enough."

(MB)