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28 September 2000 Edition

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Brits up patrols in Derry

The British Army is involved in a campaign ``of lies and propaganda'', over the level of it's patrolling in Derry, says Sinn Féin councillor Gerry MacLochlainn.

MacLochlainn was speaking in light of complaints to Sinn Féin by local people, who have accused the British Army of heavy patrolling in the city over the last number of weeks.

According to the British Army their patrols do not occur within the city's limits. However, says MacLochlainn, a two land rovers patrol of fully armed British soldiers was stopped in the Duncreggan Road area for a number of minutes last week. Over the past few weeks British patrols have also been in the Waterside area of the city.

MacLochlainn says these patrols were conducted over a number of nights last week also, ``for no apparent reason''.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin assembly member for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, has reiterated her call for the demilitarisation of the area. Gildernew has accused the British army of being involved in remilitarising some areas of the constituency.

``The lack of progress on demilitarisation in Fermanagh is of immediate concern to Sinn Féin and we will continue to press not only the British government, but for the Dublin government and wider international community to ensure that progress on this central issue can be seen and felt on the ground in Fermanagh''.

``The British government has committed itself to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement'', stated Gildernew, ``and that includes demilitarisation by June 2001''.

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