New battalion for Ireland

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A new battalion of British troops is to be sent to northern Ireland to take up residential duty in the service of imperialism.

The extra fares will be partly offset by a reduction in the number of troops on emergency four month tours.

But the change will be towards more long stay forces with tours of at least 18 months.

The move is the inevitable increase in army controi of northern Ireland heralded three weeks ago by the announcement by Labour defence minister, Mulley, of a massive increase in army forces.

Soldiers in the new battalion will be accompanied by families and will do less intensive street patrols and more long term intelligence work.

The switch-which involves an extra financial commitment to the occupation even in the unlikely event of the fumber of troops remaining um demonstrates that 4. Labour government has no intention of withdrawing troops from The recent Daily Mirror editorial calling for the 'bringing home of the troops has been hailed as a progressive move by Socialist Challenge (which 'challenged" the Morning Star to match the Mirror).

In fact there is no evidence that the editorial -based on populist reaction -reflected any division within the Labour Party leadership on continuing long term occupation of northern The Daily Mirror's call represented war weariness and a pessimism about imperialism's ability to suppress opposition.

The withdrawal of troops from Ireland can be forced only by the working class on both sides of the irish sea.

There are 13,500 regular British troops in Ireland and 8,000 UDR soldiers, who are taking over more of the lon street patrols.

United Troops Movement Demonstration against British imperialism in Saturday 7 October 1pm Barnsley