Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BELFAST30
2009-05-01 15:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Consulate Belfast
Cable title:  

NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE BRIEF CONSULATE ON DISSIDENT KILLING

Tags:  PTER PGOV PREL EI UK 
pdf how-to read a cable
O 011505Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL BELFAST
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1485
INFO NSC WASHINGTON DC
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY DUBLIN PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL BELFAST
C O N F I D E N T I A L BELFAST 000017 


NOFORN

EUR FOR WE, NSC FOR FOR SHERWOOD-RANDALL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/9/2019
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL EI UK
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE BRIEF CONSULATE ON DISSIDENT KILLING
OF SOLDIERS

REF: A) BELFAST 00014

CLASSIFIED BY: Henry Bisharat, Acting Consul General , US
Consulate Belfast.
REASON: 1.4 (b)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELFAST 000017


NOFORN

EUR FOR WE, NSC FOR FOR SHERWOOD-RANDALL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/9/2019
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL EI UK
SUBJECT: NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE BRIEF CONSULATE ON DISSIDENT KILLING
OF SOLDIERS

REF: A) BELFAST 00014

CLASSIFIED BY: Henry Bisharat, Acting Consul General , US
Consulate Belfast.
REASON: 1.4 (b)


1. (C) SUMMARY. The Acting Consul General and Management/Post
Security Officer met with Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) Paul
Leighton and briefly with Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde on March
9 for a briefing on the security situation following the March 7
the dissident republican attack, which left two soldiers dead.
Leighton confirmed that the killings were the work of the Real
IRA (RIRA),likely with participation by experienced former
members of the Provisional IRA (PIRA). He noted that Sinn Fein
was internally divided on how to respond to the attack. While
Sinn Fein leaders had condemned, this had taken some time, and
the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) still needed more
complete Sinn Fein cooperation with the investigation. Leighton
asked that U.S. Administration officials make this point to Sinn
Fein leaders visiting for St Patrick's Day. Leighton was also
worried about other possible attacks and indicated the
dissidents might use the publicity surrounding the March 7
incident as a recruitment tool. He said the policing efforts
would have to be stepped up in order to deal more effectively
with the situation and the possibility of further violence. In
a separate meeting, Orde praised the U.S. administration
condemnation of the attack and noted he still planned to travel
for St Patrick's Day because he believed it important to let USG
officials know about the PSNI's work in building cross community
support for policing. END SUMMARY.


PSNI BRIEFING ON DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN ATTACK
--------------


2. (C) In a meeting at PSNI headquarters March 9, Acting Consul
General Bisharat and Management/Post Security Officer Gupta
(notetaker) met with Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton for a
briefing concerning the recent attack on soldiers by dissident
republicans (reftel). Leighton indicated that Chief Constable
Orde had provided a similar briefing to representatives from all
the main political parties. Leighton showed a series of

time-lapse photographs from cameras mounted near the entrance to
the Masserene Barracks, where the attack took place. The
photographs revealed that two cars driven by Dominos Pizza
deliverymen had pulled up to the barracks. Five unarmed soldiers
in fatigues emerged from the barracks to pick up their orders.
At that moment, two gunmen armed with AK-47s drove up in a car
and opened fire. They walked towards the soldiers, shooting at
them even as they lay on the ground. They returned to the car,
but came out again and fired more shots before finally returning
to the car, which then sped away. As a result of the shooting,
two soldiers were killed, and two soldiers and both pizza
delivery men were injured. One soldier, who hid in front of the
pizza delivery vehicles, was unhurt. The entire attack lasted
only 36 seconds. Police uncovered 62 shell casings, which
appear to date from the early 1980s and were likely once
property of the Provisional IRA. As soon as the attack started,
the only security guard in the nearby guard house immediately
pressed an alarm button, but armed soldiers arrived only as the
car drove away.


3. (C) There was no continuous-video recording of the event,
and the resolution of the photographs was not sufficient to
indicate the registration number or make or model of the car.
The photographs have been sent to laboratories in London for
enhancement. Meanwhile, the police have recovered a partially
burnt Vauxhall Cavalier that may have been the car used in the
shootings. Police speculate that the attackers tried to burn
the vehicle in order to obliterate their traces, but parts of
the car was only charred and blackened in the process, and the
police are hopeful that there may be useful information to be
recovered from the vehicle.


ATTTACK DONE BY EXPERIENCED KILLERS
--------------


4. (C) Leighton stated that given the lack of expertise
displayed in previous attacks by the RIRA, the degree of
slickness and callousness demonstrated in this attack points to
the possibility that more experienced members of the "old-school
Provisional IRA" may have been involved. However, previous
intelligence on dissident activity gave no indication of the
possibility of this attack.


RIRA HAS NO BACKING
--------------


5. (C) Leighton estimated RIRA numbers at about 70-80 out of a
total of about 200-300 active dissidents in Northern Ireland.
The RIRA are seeking new members, and it is possible that the
success of this attack will help draw more to their cause.
However, the DCC pointed out that the RIRA has no real cause
backed by current community support; they only have resentments
from a long time ago.


MORE HELP FROM SINN FEIN NEEDED
--------------


6. (C) Leighton noted Sinn Fein was slow to condemn the attack;
the police had hoped for stronger condemnation from Sinn Fein.
The DCC was cognizant of internal dissent within Sinn Fein and
that it was difficult for their leaders to provide an immediate,
unified response. He pointed out that one of the intentions of
such an attack might be to embarrass Sinn Fein, but that Sinn
Fein must recognize that their position and interests were
closely aligned with those of the police. He added they had no
choice now but to cooperate fully with the police. Leighton
made a strong pitch for U.S. administration officials who meet
with Sinn Fein during St. Patrick's Day to encourage Sinn Fein
to cooperate fully with the police investigation.


ATTACK PREMEDITATED/NOT CONNECTED TO SPECIALIST REQUEST
-------------- --------------


7. (C) Leighton confirmed that given the nature of the planning
needed for an attack such as this, the recent news report of
Army specialists being asked to help monitor dissident activity
could not/not have been a provocation for the attack. These
specialists are few in number (less than ten) and are providing
only "back-room support."


IMPACT ON DEVOLUTION
--------------


8. (C) Leighton pointed out that the devolution of policing and
justice to Northern Ireland was hamstrung by lack of funding.
One possible outcome of this tragedy, in his view, might be to
facilitate the funding needed to accelerate the devolution
process. He also noted, however, that if Sinn Fein was
perceived as being slow to provide complete cooperation with the
investigation, Unionists could use that to express reservations
about moving forward on devolution.


CHIEF CONSTABLE ORDE PRAISES U.S. STATEMENT CONDEMING ATTACK
-------------- --------------


9. (C) After the meeting with Leighton, Chief Constable Orde
requested to see Acting Consul General. Orde deeply appreciated
the U.S. Government's condemnation of the attack and statements
of support by U.S. politicians, notably Congressman Neal. Orde
indicated that he would still travel to Washington for St.
Patrick's Day, though only for a shorter period, because he
wanted to be sure the U.S. understood the efforts being made to
ensure cross-community support for policing.


10. (C) Orde also criticized the BBC for its inaccurate report
of his use of a small number of military specialists to help
obtain intelligence concerning dissidents. The BBC had
inaccurately asserted that military patrols and Chinooks would
be used. Orde said he complained directly to Prime Minister
Brown that morning about the BBC's unhelpful reports, and that
Brown had agreed with him.


BISHARAT