TROOPS ARRIVING, AFTERMATH OF RIOTING (BROKEN WINDOWS ETC.), BARRICADES, TROOPS ERECTING STEEL WALL, REV. PAISLEY TALKING TO PEOPLE IN STREETS.




Initials CG/V-B/CT/BB



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Background: A UNIT OF 600 CRACK BRITISH COMMANDOS FLEW INTO BELFAST TODAY (MONDAY) FOLLOWING A FIERCE REVIVAL LAST NIGHT OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN RIVAL CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT FACTIONS.

THE REINFORCEMENTS BRING THE TOTAL BRITISH MILITARY STRENGTH IN RIOT-TORN NORTHERN IRELAND TO 7,300, THE LARGEST BRITISH TROOP FORCE IN THE AREA FOR 50 YEARS.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS CAME AFTER BELFAST'S WORST NIGHT OF VIOLENCE SINCE THE STREET BATTLES SIX WEEKS AGO WHEN EIGHT PEOPLE DIED AND HUNDREDS WERE INJURED. THE REINFORCEMENTS WERE SENT AFTER A PUBLIC APPEAL BY SECURITY CHIEF LT. GENERAL SIR IAN FREELAND FOR ORDER AND RESTRAINT HAD BEEN IGNORED BY MARAUDING MOBS WHO OVER THE LAST TWO NIGHTS HAVE BEEN USING PETROL BOMBS, ROCKS AND OTHER MISSILES IN STREET BATTLES.

AS THE FIRST PLANE-LOAD OF SOLDIERS ARRIVED TODAY A BUS WAS SET ALIGHT IN THE CAPITAL'S CENTRE BY A PETROL BOMB AND A LARGE STORE FIRED BY ANOTHER HOME-MADE INCENDIARY DEVICE. TROOPS ON DUTY GUARDED BARRICADES WHERE TEAR GAS HAD BEEN USED TO DISPERSE RIOTING CATHOLIC YOUTHS LATE LAST NIGHT.

SOLDIERS ALSO SET UP A HIGH METAL BARRIER IN PLACE OF A BARBED WIRE "PEACE LINE" BETWEEN PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC ROADS IN ONE DISTRICT WHERE FIVE HOUSES WERE BADLY DAMAGED IN PETROL BOMB ATTACKS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE STRENGTHENING OF BRITISH SECURITY FORCES COMES ON THE EVE OF THE RECALL OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND PARLIAMENT. AUTHORITIES FEAR FRESH STRIFE AND RABBLE-ROUSING ORATORY MAY ENSUE AS PASSION RUNS HIGH.

MILITANT PROTESTANT LEADER, THE REV. IAN PAISLEY, HAS DECLARED HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE 100,000 OF HIS SUPPORTERS LOBBY THE STORMONT PARLIAMENTARY BUILDING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WHEN MPs MEET TO DISCUSS THE CAMERON REPORT ON NORTHERN IRELAND DISTURBANCES.