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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
Mir Uhrweit
14/3
ITEM 4.
1.
CONFIDENTIAL ANNEX
TO
COS 25TH MEETING 70, HELD ON TUESDAY
4 AUGUST 1970 AT 2.45 pm
WITHDRAWAL AND RELIEF OF UNITS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
SIR CHARLES ELWORTHY said that the paper (1) before them had been prepared by the Navy and Army Departments. Its ain was to show the effect of not withdrawing two armoured car squadrons from Northern Ireland in late August and to discuss which two major units should be withdrawn from Northern Ireland at that time. They were asked to resolve conflicting priorities and their decisions clearly had important implications in the context of the United Kingdom's support for NATO.; SACEUR had so far shown a great understanding of their difficulties, but he understood that CINCENT was now due to report on the effect of our withdrawals from his command and his report would shortly be taken by the Military Committee and in due course by the Defence Planning Committee. He believed there was a real danger that further withdrawals might jeopardize our relationship with NATO; their discussion would no doubt be influenced by this. However he understood that the paper had now been substantially overtaken by a fresh assessment by the General Officer Commanding and he would ask the Vice Chief of the General Staff to inform them of the present situation.
The
2. SIR VICTOR FITZGEORGE-BALFOUR (Representing the Chief of the General Staff) said that it was now very unlikely that the GOC would be able to agree to any reduction for the present from the current level of twelve major units. paper (1) had been based on the assumption that following a period of quiet in July and August, it would be possible to withdraw two major units. This period of quiet had not been forthcoming, and the GOC now assessed the situation as potentially even more serious than it had been in July. It was not simply the recent riots which led to this view, but more importantly, there were clear indications that the Rev Paisley and others had little intention of obeying the ban on processions. The Apprentice Boy's Parade traditionally held on 12 August was of particular concern in this context. He therefore considered
Note:
1.
COS(Misc) 129/31/7/70.
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