It's not that easy to remove weapons from a community with a fetish for guns

Article Abstract:

Northern Ireland's republicans clearly have a strong attachment to their weapons. However, at a deeper level the Unionist community is actually even more strongly attached to guns. There is a large amount of weaponry in Northern Ireland, most of which is held by Protestants. The Protestant commitment to weapons has its origins in Elizabethan times, when the Unionists were made responsible for keeping unruly elements of the population under control. Up to 40,000 Protestants have been in paramilitary groups, of whom around 10,000 have been imprisoned during the troubles. Nationalists tend to regard their weapons as a modest defence against the Unionists' potentially hostile guns.

Public affairs, Weapons

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This row about guns will not unravel the peace process

Article Abstract:

There are certainly grounds for concern about the future of the Northern Irish peace process, especially in the light of the IRA's continued opposition to weapons decommissioning. The leading paramilitary groups have largely adhered to the ceasefire, but dangerous splinter groups have appeared on both sides. It now seems likely that the decommissioning issue will come to the fore in early 1999 and that some form of resolution will be reached. It does not appear likely that the entire peace process will grind to a halt.

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Can Patten at last bring change to an immovable force?

Article Abstract:

Chris Patten's report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) will inevitably attract a mixed reception. However, it is now widely recognized that changes must take place, with the RUC being seen as too Protestant, too large, too militarized and too distanced from the community. The RUC will not be disbanded, as Sinn Fein has demanded, and there will not be a policy of forcing all RUC members to resign and reapply. It will be vital to ensure that both Catholics and nationalists are convinced that the report offers a solution for transforming the RUC.

Government domestic functions, Police Protection, Law Enforcement & Crime Prevntn, Northern Ireland, Management, Law enforcement, Police administration, Police departments, Northern Ireland. Royal Ulster Constabulary

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