The British Defence Secretary, Mr George Robertson, has said there are no plans at present for any further troop reductions in the North. Mr Robertson, who was briefed on the current security situation while on a visit to Northern Ireland yesterday, also said he understood that the IRA was observing its ceasefire despite some claims that it was engaging in surveillance operations.
Mr Robertson visited British soldiers in Lisburn, Belfast and Derry. He was given the security assessment by Brigadier Robin Brims, Chief of Staff of the British army in the North, and by Lieut Gen Sir Rupert Smith, the army GOC.
Last month 250 soldiers from the Parachute Regiment returned to Britain, marking the first troop reduction since the IRA ceasefire of July. Current army numbers are about 16,500 and there are no plans at present for further reductions, said Mr Robertson.