Keep the troops in Ireland

The editorial ``Changing Irish Climate,'' Sept. 21, refers to a future Northern Ireland ``without an occupying army.'' This implies that British troops have unlawfully ``occupied'' Northern Ireland.

The Army's presence has been a stabilizing force in the midst of conflict between Republican and Loyalist extremists and has prevented a civil war between these two factions.

Every British citizen hopes that the Army will indeed be able to withdraw from Northern Ireland, but at this time of hope and uncertainty the British Army's presence in the province remains a necessity. Alistair Budd, Rolle, Switzerland

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