RisenBelfast
03-20-2008, 04:21 PM
Queen's visit marred by protestors and security alert
By Laura Murphy
HER Majesty received a 'royal' welcome to Armagh this morning - in spite of a hoax security alert and protest by republicans in the city.
As many as 40 protestors - who identified themselves as members of a group called eirigi - were reported to have gathered in the English Street area to voice their opposition to her visit.
In a statement, group chairman Brian Leeson said that it was "completely unacceptable" that a visit by the "commander-in-chief of Britain's armed forces" should be viewed as a crowning moment in the peace process.
He said: "Britain's understanding of peace in Ireland, Afghanistan or anywhere else they have occupied has always been one of continued occupation without resistance.
"This analysis was at the heart of their infamous 'normalisation strategy', which they now hope is coming to fruition.
An earlier security alert had been declared a hoax after army technical officers carried out a controlled explosion on two suspicious objects which had been found in the Friary Road area of the city.
Police said that items had been taken away for examination.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Queens-visit-marred-by-protestors.3901850.jp
By Laura Murphy
HER Majesty received a 'royal' welcome to Armagh this morning - in spite of a hoax security alert and protest by republicans in the city.
As many as 40 protestors - who identified themselves as members of a group called eirigi - were reported to have gathered in the English Street area to voice their opposition to her visit.
In a statement, group chairman Brian Leeson said that it was "completely unacceptable" that a visit by the "commander-in-chief of Britain's armed forces" should be viewed as a crowning moment in the peace process.
He said: "Britain's understanding of peace in Ireland, Afghanistan or anywhere else they have occupied has always been one of continued occupation without resistance.
"This analysis was at the heart of their infamous 'normalisation strategy', which they now hope is coming to fruition.
An earlier security alert had been declared a hoax after army technical officers carried out a controlled explosion on two suspicious objects which had been found in the Friary Road area of the city.
Police said that items had been taken away for examination.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Queens-visit-marred-by-protestors.3901850.jp