(7 Oct 1996) English/Nat
Two car bombs rocked the British Army headquarters in Northern Ireland Monday, injuring 23 people including two children.
The first device went off in a car park at the Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, south west of Belfast; the second appeared to be designed to catch casualties being taken to the Army medical centre a short distance away.
A major investigation is underway into how the bombs were smuggled on to what should have been Ulster's most guarded installation.
The attack, on the eve of the British government's Conservative Party conference, came as the faltering Ulster peace process faced another day of crisis.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts.
Fire engines and ambulances in the road leading up to the scene of the blast, a sight signalling an ominous turn of events.
Without warning two blasts hit the barracks, the British army's headquarters in Northern Ireland.
Around twenty people were wounded, at least nine of whom were taken to hospital.
A police spokesman said the victims could include either soldiers or civilian employees.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but Loyalists indicated Republicans were probably to blame.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well, I'm absolutely appalled in what appears to have been a no-warning bomb attack upon Thiepval Barracks and I think the people who are responsible for that are signalling very clearly to all the people of Northern Ireland that they're not interested in finding a democratic resolution to this conflict and I think that it is possible that this incident will have far-reaching implications."
Q: You say that but what everybody will be wanting to know now is the implication this will have for the Loyalist cease-fire, what's your reading of that?
"Well, I mean I'm asking myself the same question, who knows what's going to happen next? I sincerely hope this doesn't signal a spiral back into intercommunity violence but at this point I think we have to recognise that this is the most serious development since the breakdown of the IRA cease-fire in February of this year."
Q: Loyalists sources have been saying that another shot, another bomb will be one too far, that's the final imaginary line in the sand which would then have been crossed, is that your understanding of it?
"I think we're going to have to appreciate this event that it could signal the intention or the first shot as it were in the restarting of the war from the Republican side and what Loyalists have consistently said is they're not prepared to leave their community undefended from a Republican attack. What the implications in real terms may be one can only speculate. I think we will have to take stock of the situation and analyse the position and what develops from this very very closely."
Q: Would it be fair to say things are very dangerous?
"I think that this is undoubtedly the most critical stage we have been at in the last two years."
SUPER CAPTION: Gary McMichael, leader of UDP
British military sources say the first blast was planted at a travel centre in the base, the second one at an emergency centre where casualties would be treated.
British Prime Minister John Major said he was appalled.
SOUNDBITE:
SUPER CAPTION: John Major, British Prime Minister
The Irish Republican Army ended its 1994 cease-fire in February by bombing London but has so far not claimed any attacks in Northern Ireland itself.
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Негізгі бет NORTHERN IRELAND: 2 CAR BOMBS EXPLODE AT BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS
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