http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/ MI5 says Real IRA has 1,000lb Semtex cache By David Cracknell and David Bamber MI5 has discovered that the IRA splinter group believed to be behind last week's bombing of Hammersmith Bridge possesses half a ton of Semtex high explosive and is planning a series of new atrocities in mainland Britain. The Real IRA, which was also responsible for the Omagh bombing in 1998, used just 2lb of the Semtex in the device that exploded in London in the early hours of Thursday morning. The explosive was part of a 1,000lb cache of Semtex that the republican splinter group took with them when they split from the Provisional IRA in 1997 and which has been added to by recent republican defectors. MI5 has intelligence reports that the Real IRA will attempt to disrupt major events in London this summer. Six members of the Real IRA are said to be active on the British mainland - young recruits guided by an experienced terrorist. Special security precautions are being put in place for the celebrations surrounding the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. The Real IRA is headed by the former quartermaster general of the Provisionals, who took a substantial supply of weapons and explosives with him when he defected. He was behind the Omagh bomb in 1998 which killed 28 people with a crude device composed of fertiliser and explosives with a Semtex "booster" charger. Yesterday, Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein education minister in Northern Ireland, condemned the Hammersmith bombers and called on dissident republicans not to launch a new wave of attacks on the mainland. Security forces say Real IRA membership is believed to be about 100 and that they work closely with fellow dissidents in the Continuity IRA. There have been a number of defections from leading figures in the Provos to the Real IRA and another republican splinter group, the Continuity IRA, in recent months. In February, police in the Irish Republic discovered 1.3 pounds of Semtex, an explosive manufactured in eastern Europe, at a Real IRA hideaway in Dublin. In the explosion in London Docklands, carried out by the IRA in February 1996, a bomb weighing more than a ton was used. It was a mixture of Semtex, commercial quarrying explosives and fertiliser. In Manchester later that year, a one-ton bomb, which devastated the city centre, again contained Semtex mixed with other explosives. The security services have also discovered that the Real IRA has developed a new, 120mm mortar - called the "Mark 19" - to add to its arsenal. The device, which fires rockets, was tested by the terrorists in Co Fermanagh last month. Yesterday, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the RUC Chief Constable, announced another reduction in troop levels in Northern Ireland. He confirmed that a battalion based in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, would not be replaced when its tour ends in the middle of the month, as a further step towards normalisation. The move, being taken "notwithstanding the continued threat from dissidents in some areas", was announced after the start of demolition work on three military posts in the province. It will bring troop levels down to 13,500, their lowest since 1970. -- ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- ________________________________________________________ 1stUp.com - Free the Web Get your free Internet access at http://www.1stUp.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
