BLAIR'S PRAISE FOR ULSTER PHONE SPIES
BLAIR'S PRAISE FOR ULSTER PHONE SPIES
PM thanks spy teams over terror
By IAN HERNON
TONY Blair last night lifted the veil covering the role of Britain's secret services in the war against the Real IRA.
The Prime Minister wrote to UK spy-masters to put on record his thanks for the contribution of the intelligence services in the 'war against terrorism'.
It is the first time that MI5 and Miffs hush-hush activities have been publicly recognised by any Government.
The goodwill message includes work in tackling republican and loyalist paramilitries, as well Islamic terrorism.
MI5, in particular, has been successful in targeting the Real IRA which bombed Omagh in August 1998, killing 29 people.
In his letter, Mr Blair said: "The Government and the British people are fortunate to be served by security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism is admired - and, by our enemies, feared - throughout the world.
"Without a doubt, then-work has saved the lives of innocent Afghans and British forces, while disrupting terrorist planning in the UK and further afield". He added: "My thanks for all the work you have done and continue to do."
The letter has been sent to MI5 boss Stephen Lander, the head of MI6 - known officially as "C", John Scarlett, chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), and controllers at the satellite eavesdropping station GCHQ.
Downing Street said Mr Blair believes the secret services have been the "unsung heroes" of the anti-terror campaign in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Their successes include:
Swiftly establishing that Osama Bin Laden and his Al Quaida network were responsible for the blitz on America.
Gathering intelligence on the ground which has played a "key role" in the collapse of the Taliban.
Providing the information needed for the anti-terror coalition to make swift policy decisions, both at home and at the front.
Chancellor Gordon Brown gave the secret services a �20m bonus in last week's pre-Budget report.
PM thanks spy teams over terror
By IAN HERNON
TONY Blair last night lifted the veil covering the role of Britain's secret services in the war against the Real IRA.
The Prime Minister wrote to UK spy-masters to put on record his thanks for the contribution of the intelligence services in the 'war against terrorism'.
It is the first time that MI5 and Miffs hush-hush activities have been publicly recognised by any Government.
The goodwill message includes work in tackling republican and loyalist paramilitries, as well Islamic terrorism.
MI5, in particular, has been successful in targeting the Real IRA which bombed Omagh in August 1998, killing 29 people.
In his letter, Mr Blair said: "The Government and the British people are fortunate to be served by security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism is admired - and, by our enemies, feared - throughout the world.
"Without a doubt, then-work has saved the lives of innocent Afghans and British forces, while disrupting terrorist planning in the UK and further afield". He added: "My thanks for all the work you have done and continue to do."
The letter has been sent to MI5 boss Stephen Lander, the head of MI6 - known officially as "C", John Scarlett, chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), and controllers at the satellite eavesdropping station GCHQ.
Downing Street said Mr Blair believes the secret services have been the "unsung heroes" of the anti-terror campaign in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Their successes include:
Swiftly establishing that Osama Bin Laden and his Al Quaida network were responsible for the blitz on America.
Gathering intelligence on the ground which has played a "key role" in the collapse of the Taliban.
Providing the information needed for the anti-terror coalition to make swift policy decisions, both at home and at the front.
Chancellor Gordon Brown gave the secret services a �20m bonus in last week's pre-Budget report.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/121
Published Date: 02-Dec-01
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