Trimble to meet British minister over RIR plans

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble is due to meet British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon today to discuss the apparent plans to disband the British army's Royal Irish Regiment.

The move would reportedly form part of Britain's demilitarisation commitments under the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Trimble has threatened to block the implementation of the recent Irish-British declaration unless the British government drops the plan.

His nemesis within the UUP, anti-agreement MP Jeffrey Donaldson, has also called a meeting of the party's ruling council in an effort to get delegates to reject the recent declaration in its entirety due to the plans to scrap the RIR.

Speaking ahead of today's meeting, Sinn Féin spokesman Gerry Kelly said the demilitarisation of the RIR was a vital part of the Good Friday Agreement and of conflict resolution in the North.

"The RIR are first and foremost a unionist militia," he said.

"Many nationalists, victims of the UDR and RIR, will want to know why Mr Trimble is in London today demanding the retention of this force.

"Sinn Féin will oppose any moves by the British government to dilute the joint declaration as part of a further exercise in pandering to negative and rejectionist unionism."