Brigadier Harry Baxter, commander of the Ulster Defence Regiment, follows General Spinola and Ambassador Ewart-Biggs in his choice of facial adornment. His politics aren't dissimilar either. Christmas. apprehension. MANY North of Ireland exiles will be вит a lot Once back in the Six Counties they will have to contend with the British Army and Ulster Defence Regiment; and if they are lucky enough to survive those institutions, Prevention of Terrorism Act means that they may be held or even deported back to Ireland on their return journey.
First there is the British is a chilling one. Army and the UDR. Last week Northern Ireland Scretary Hoy Mason announced that he in- to replace tended to withdraw 500 troops from their occupation of the para-military North of Ireland and replace them by expanding the UDR withdrawal can only benefit the Irish, the done. prospect of an expanded UDR occasionally admit this. Brigreturning home this good deal of The UDR was set up in 1970 exclusively Protestant Speg als WITHS Unionist regime; and replace them both in content and role (and is exactly what the UDR have Even the UDR chiefs adier Harry Baxter, WHO IS commander of the outfit, rec ently said of the 1,600 ex-BSpecials in his regiment that I very much •welcone experience.
EXPERIENCE The type of experience those in UDR gain is illustrated by the fact tha more than 100 members of the regiment have been charged mostly convicted) for offences involving associatior with the Loyalist paramilitary organisations There are the examples of UDR Sergeant James McDow ell and Lance-Corporal Raymond Crozier, who were both jailed for 35 years in October for their part in the Miami Showband massacre: and of Noel Walley another • UDR sergeant who in 1972 was convicted of offences arising out of the attempted assass ination of two Catholics George Farrell, who was given 15 years for planting a bomb in Donegal in November this year, was a member of the voluntee Force and the Ulster Defence Association. CAOINE who held joint membership of the and UVF Was William McComb, who earlier this year was jailed for 10 years tor nis part in an armed robbery.
WELCOME These are just a few of the inviolas who find a wel come in the UDR, and who make life rather dangerous for anti-imperialist in North of Ireland this Christ mas. And although conditions in Britain can hardly be com pared with those in occupied Ireland, the homeland too has its delights Most notable is the Preven tion of terrorism Act, unde which 2,000 people have been held in detention without trial for up to seven days since its introduction two years ago But just as there are many in the Six Counties who continue to resist the British Army, the ooh and ine Loyalist thugs, in Britain as well the campaign against the PTA is growing People Against the Prevention necent established of Terrorism Act", which seeking to bring together hose groups and individua who have campaigned agains the PTA. At the first nationa co-ordinating meeting of the new body held recently, plans for a national demonstration in March 1977 were agreed, as was the production of a pam phlet.
MOVEMENT As in 1976, the movemen against British occupation o Ireland will be continued in the New Year on many fronts.
In Ireland the recent emer gence of mass demonstra tions for political status o Republican prisoners, and the mass actions on the streets against the British troops ir such areas as Turf Lodge, are the most positive develop ments for many months.
Britain there is still a burning neeo to ould an open and Troops Out move ment ano to were tocelner u actions against the PT/ Until all this and much more is achieved, until Britain final ly gets out of its oldest co the 'season of goodwil