DATE=8/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237643
TITLE=BRITAIN / IRELAND (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR USED A VISIT TO THE
NORTHERN IRELAND TOWN OF OMAGH TO ANNOUNCE THAT PARLIAMENT WILL
BE RECONVENED NEXT WEEK TO TAKE UP WHAT HE CALLS DRACONIAN
ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES. THE SPECIAL TWO-DAY SESSION COINCIDES
WITH A SIMILAR EMERGENCY SESSION OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT. LAURIE
KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS THE DECISION COMES AFTER A TERRORIST
CAR BOMB IN OMAGH TWO WEEKS AGO KILLED 28 PEOPLE AND INJURED MORE
THAN 200.
TEXT: PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS THE ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS WILL
HELP CRUSH A SMALL NUMBER OF OUTLAWED EXTREMIST GROUPS TRYING TO
DISRUPT NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS. HE CALLS THEM OUTCASTS
WITH NO SUPPORT AMONG THE PEOPLE.
/// BLAIR ACT ///
THE BIG DIFFERENCE NOW IS THAT WE KNOW THAT WE ARE
DEALING WITH A SMALL RESIDUAL GROUP OF EXTREMISTS THAT
WANT TO CARRY ON THIS VIOLENCE. AND WE KNOW TOO THAT
WHEN WE ARE ACTING NOW, WE'RE NOT JUST ACTING AS THE
BRITISH GOVERNMENT. THIS IS THE IRISH REPUBLIC TAKING
ACTION AND BRITISH GOVERNMENT TAKING ACTION WITH RESPECT
TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. AND THOSE TWO CHANGES PROVIDE
THE CONTEXT IN WHICH WE CAN TAKE MEASURES WHICH ARE
OTHERWISE OF COURSE ARE VERY DRACONIAN AND FUNDAMENTAL
IN NATURE.
/// OPT /// BUT WE BELIEVE THEY ARE RIGHT AND
JUSTIFIED IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE HAVE CAREFULLY
THOUGHT THEM THROUGH SO THEY RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO THE
WAY WE ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF TERRORIST
ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONVICTED OF THE OFFENSES IF THEY ARE
INDEED GUILTY OF THEM. /// END OPT ///
/// END ACT ///
MR. BLAIR SAYS THE LAWS ALSO WOULD CRACK DOWN ON THOSE WHO USE
BRITAIN AS A BASE FOR TERRORIST OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.
/// BLAIR ACT ///
SUCH A PROPOSITION WAS THE INTENTION OF THE PREVIOUS
GOVERNMENT, AND OF THIS GOVERNMENT AND WAS STRONGLY
PRESSED UPON US BY MANY STATES WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE U-K NATIONALS OF THEIR COUNTRY
TO PLAN TERRORIST ACTS ABROAD. IN THE WAKE OF THE
RECENT TERRORIST ACTIVITES ABROAD, THIS IS A TIMELY AND
RIGHT MOVE TO UNDERSCORE OUR TOTAL COMMITMENT TO
DEFEATING TERRORISM WHEREVER IT IS PLOTTED OR EXECUTED.
/// END ACT ///
THE NEW ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ARREST
SUSPECTS BASED ON EVIDENCE FROM SENIOR POLICE OFFICIALS AND
PUNISH THOSE WHO DO NOT COOPERATE DURING DETENTION.
THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, SINN FEIN, HAS
CRITICIZED THE HARSH MEASURES AS TOO MUCH. HARDLINE PROTESTANT
POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SAY THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
25-Aug-98 1:22 PM EDT (1722 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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