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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| RAF flypast dropped from parade | RAF flypast dropped from parade |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An RAF flypast has been dropped from Sunday's armed forces homecoming parade through Belfast city centre. | An RAF flypast has been dropped from Sunday's armed forces homecoming parade through Belfast city centre. |
| The parade to welcome home troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has met with opposition from Sinn Féin, which is staging a protest. | The parade to welcome home troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has met with opposition from Sinn Féin, which is staging a protest. |
| Major General Chris Brown said they were taking a number of measures to ensure the parade "does not increase the potential for friction". | Major General Chris Brown said they were taking a number of measures to ensure the parade "does not increase the potential for friction". |
| He said soldiers on parade would not be carrying weapons. | He said soldiers on parade would not be carrying weapons. |
| "Earlier this week, I issued a special order to all military personnel taking part in the many events this weekend," he said. | "Earlier this week, I issued a special order to all military personnel taking part in the many events this weekend," he said. |
| "In that signal I stressed the significance and importance of being able to give thanks for the safe return of those who have served overseas. | "In that signal I stressed the significance and importance of being able to give thanks for the safe return of those who have served overseas. |
| "Equally, I emphasised the need for us to recognise that we do not have the undivided support of the wider community." | "Equally, I emphasised the need for us to recognise that we do not have the undivided support of the wider community." |
| 'Sensitivities' | |
| Major General Brown, who is General Officer Commanding for Northern Ireland, said the measures "further underpin our appreciation of the sensitivities surrounding this element of the parade". | |
| SDLP spokesman Alex Attwood said the announcement was a step "in the right direction towards helping ease anxieties". | |
| However, Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP said: "I think people will feel slightly cheated that the celebration and thanksgiving event is to be diluted in any way at all." | |
| Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader Danny Kennedy said: "I feel the hands of the NIO or Whitehall simply trying to pander to elements that will never be satisfied - people who are opposed to this will always be opposed to this." |