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10/07/2002
Reid confident war graves will remain undisturbed
Secretary of State, Dr John Reid, has said that he is confident the French government will not go ahead with the proposal to build a new airport for Paris on the site of World War One war graves.
Dr Reid was briefed on the latest developments during his visit to France at the beginning of the month to take part in the annual Somme commemorations.
He believes the graves will remain undisturbed after the appointment of the new French transport minister, Giles de Robien, who has always opposed the airport plan.
Dr Reid said: “No final decision has been taken by the French authorities but all the indicators point to a dramatic cooling of interest in the proposal.
“While we must still remain vigilant, this is great news for everyone in Northern Ireland who has been concerned about the future of the Ulster graves.
“The proposal was a matter of deep concern to many and the strength of opposition was evident at the briefing I hosted at the Somme Heritage Centre in May.
“Your input and lobbying has been vital in highlighting the threat that existed and I have raised those concerns at every available opportunity and at every level of government."
Dr Reid added that it was appropriate that in the anniversary month of the Battle of the Somme, the threat to the graves of those who sacrificed so much for others seemed to be diminishing. (MB)
Dr Reid was briefed on the latest developments during his visit to France at the beginning of the month to take part in the annual Somme commemorations.
He believes the graves will remain undisturbed after the appointment of the new French transport minister, Giles de Robien, who has always opposed the airport plan.
Dr Reid said: “No final decision has been taken by the French authorities but all the indicators point to a dramatic cooling of interest in the proposal.
“While we must still remain vigilant, this is great news for everyone in Northern Ireland who has been concerned about the future of the Ulster graves.
“The proposal was a matter of deep concern to many and the strength of opposition was evident at the briefing I hosted at the Somme Heritage Centre in May.
“Your input and lobbying has been vital in highlighting the threat that existed and I have raised those concerns at every available opportunity and at every level of government."
Dr Reid added that it was appropriate that in the anniversary month of the Battle of the Somme, the threat to the graves of those who sacrificed so much for others seemed to be diminishing. (MB)
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A woman from Dungannon, County Tyrone and a woman from Scotland currently facing drugs smuggling charges in Peru have claimed they were forced at gunpoint to carry £1.5m of cocaine in their luggage. 20-year-old Michaella McCollum Connolly and 19-year-old Melissa Reid were arrested last week before boarding a plane from Lima to Spain.
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A woman from Dungannon, County Tyrone and a woman from Scotland currently facing drugs smuggling charges in Peru have claimed they were forced at gunpoint to carry £1.5m of cocaine in their luggage. 20-year-old Michaella McCollum Connolly and 19-year-old Melissa Reid were arrested last week before boarding a plane from Lima to Spain.
17 August 2001
Policing plan for Northern Ireland is announced
Secretary of State Dr John Reid announced the updated policing plan for Northern Ireland on Friday.
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07 November 2001
DUP lodge bid to overturn 2003 election date
The Democratic Unionist Party has launched a legal bid to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision not to call fresh elections before 2003. On Wednesday November 7 the DUP lodged an application with Belfast High Court for a judicial review into the decision of Dr John Reid not to call a new poll before May 1 2003.
DUP lodge bid to overturn 2003 election date
The Democratic Unionist Party has launched a legal bid to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision not to call fresh elections before 2003. On Wednesday November 7 the DUP lodged an application with Belfast High Court for a judicial review into the decision of Dr John Reid not to call a new poll before May 1 2003.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
