Bob51 Seaman
Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 156 Location: Belfast
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Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject: War on Terror - Effective infiltration of terror networks |
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UK journalists are getting worked up about effective techniques on the domestic war on terror. I'm sure the lessons on how these particular terrorists were progressively neutered over a 30 year period could be usefully applied in the U.S.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=673060 Quote: | NORTHERN Ireland's 'dirty war' has taken yet another bizarre, even surreal, twist.
Denis Donaldson, the self-confessed British agent, was one of Sinn Fein's top 'cold warriors' - this will spook republicans.
Just over a week ago, Mr Donaldson was one of three men facing charges of spying for Sinn Fein inside Stormont buildings.
It was his arrest in October 2002 and the arrest of two other men, one his son-in-law, the other a porter at Stormont, which effectively brought down the power-sharing Assembly and has left the province in political limbo for around three years.
The charges were dropped nine days ago after the prosecution service said it would not be in the public interest to proceed.
Well the public is well and truly interested now.
Political opponents of Sinn Fein will be rubbing their hands with glee as another alleged 'traitor for old Ireland' is unmasked.
Following on from the outing of the agent code-named Stakeknife who was the head of the IRA's security division, a second very senior member of the republican movement has been uncovered working for the British intelligence services.
Both are west Belfast men and both would have been seen as close to the northern leadership of the movement.
That is something which is bound to unnerve even the poker-faced Gerry Adams.
Just what will other senior republicans in places like west Tyrone, south Armagh, Kerry or Dublin be thinking?
Adams, Martin McGuinness and their northern colleagues carefully worked their way to the top of the republican movement and just as carefully sidelined others who did not share their vision of the way ahead.
What must those who favoured the bullet over the ballot box think of the leadership now?
In the bad old days of the Troubles those caught, or even suspected of, working for the police or Army were treated without mercy even though most were low-level operatives who had been turned because of some personal weakness.
But Stakeknife and Donaldson were of a different order. They had much more influence and knowledge. Indeed now many republicans will be asking just how much influence did they exert.
Even more chillingly, at least to republicans, many will be wondering if there are more agents in influential positions in the republican movement.
Donaldson said yesterday he had been working as an agent since the 1980s, so it is hardly stretching the imagination to think that others have been equally busy. |
see also http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=673054 |
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