Seized I.R.A. papers reveal chaos plans

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33534, 15 May 1974, Page 13

Seized I.R.A. papers reveal chaos plans

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuler —Copyright > LONDON. May 14. Security forces in Northern Ireland may have averted a sectarian war in the province b\ uncovering plans by Catholic extremists to take over parts of Belfast and foment sectarian hatred. The outlawed Irish Republican Army planned “by means of ruthless and indiscriminate violence to foment inter-sectarian hatred and a degree of chaos,” the British Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) told Parliament yesterday.

After appearing as protectors of the Catholics, the I.R.A. would have used a “scorched earth” policy of destroying the areas seized, Mr Wilson said. He said that documents revealing the plans were discovered in the last few days. He did not say whether their seizure was linked with a raid last Friday on a Belfast house, thought to have been the I.R.A.’s Belfast headquarters. I The captured documents [ included maps, orders and the i draft of a declaration to the [people. ! A British Army spokesman in Belfast said that the I.R.A. [planned to seize control of [the city’s docks, newspaper • offices and television stations, [gas supplies and communica- ! tions buildings. British Government offiIcials were wary of saying [that the plans might have led to civil war, but one official conceded that “there might

have discussed cash support for the I.R.A. emanating from • the United States. The I.R.A. in an apparent ( attempt to undermine Mr Rees’s visit, yesterday showed reporters in Dublin copies of a letter bearing his purported signature and dated in March, when he was the Opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland. The letter, said to be in* I reply to one he received from! jan Irish woman, contained! I the sentence: "Frankly we! •have not the faintest desire; Ito stay in Ireland and the ; quicker we are out, the bet-| [jter.” !! A spokesman in London for; jthe Government’s Northern! [lreland Office said that it {[could not yet ’confirm theexistence of such a letter. L Two bodies were found in wreckage after an explosion during the night at a filling ; i station in Dungannon, about J3O miles west of Belfast. c Northern Ireland security forces were considering the [ possibility that the explosion • was caused by a bomb exploding prematurely.

; have been sectarian conflict . at least.” I Copies of the captured I.R.A. blueprints were shown I to Irish Republican Govern- ■ ment leaders in Dublin yes- • terday during a visit by the British Government’s Undersecretary of State for North- ; ern Ireland, Mr Merlyn Rees. ! Mr Rees is expected to discuss the documents today ; with the Irish Prime Minister (Mr Cosgrove). Mr Rees I ! had seven hours of talks yes-; - terday with the Republic’s! 1 Foreign Minister, Dr Garrett; ‘ Fitzgerald. LEGAL PLANS ’ They agreed on new legal! ;! plans for trying guerrillas! ’ I irrespective of which side of) ■ the border they are captured. ’[They are also believed to; i London denial ’ [ The British foreign office '[has denied a report in the {“Sunday Telegraph” that -{Britain has agreed to an ;[ American project for a naval 1! base on the island of Diego 1 {Garcia, in the Indian Ocean.! ■ — London, May 14.

U.S. Volktwagent? Volkswagen is considering building cars for the American market in the United States, where production would be cheaper than in Germany. The company’s chairman, Mr Rudplf Leiding has announced. He said that present plans envisage at least two assembly plants and possibly a factory for complete production. — Wolfsburg, May 14.