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S. E. A. Statements

Top soldier covered up Bloody Sunday Killings - allegation

Friday 12th May 2006

Remarks at the Dublin launch by Stephen Rea of "Bloody Sunday: The Families Speak Out" (Pluto Press), at 6pm, Friday May 11th, in Anthology Books, Temple Bar.

Britain's top soldier "concocted the cover-up of the Bloody Sunday killings."

The allegation came from Derry journalist Eamonn McCann at the Dublin launch of his book, "Bloody Sunday: The Families Speak Out" in Temple Bar last night

Mr. McCann claimed that completion of the Saville Report into Bloody Sunday may have been delayed until the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Michael Jackson, retired.

General Jackson, who was second in command of the paratroopers in the Bogside on Bloody Sunday, left his post as CGS a fortnight ago.

Speaking at the launch by actor Stephen Rea, Mr. McCann cited evidence to the Saville hearings that, "Literally before the smoke had cleared from the Bogside, Jackson began drawing up a 'shot-list" which purported to describe the position of every soldier who fired and the position of the person he'd been aiming at.

"He also wrote out in his own hand the initial accounts of Bloody Sunday in the names of his commander, Derek Wilford, the commanders of each of the three companies of paras involved, and of the battalion's intelligence officer.

"Within 24 hours, this detailed narrative had been distributed to British embassies and consulates across the world as the basis for answering queries about Bloody Sunday. This was the cover-up of killing which the families have spent 34 years so far trying to expose.

"They have waited long enough. I call for publication at the earliest possible date of the conclusions of the three judges. I listened to virtually every word of the evidence given by civilians, soldiers, members of paramilitary organisations, clergy and journalists.

"While it is possible to debate the proper conclusions with regard to this or that detail, there is need for prolonged analysis of the evidence relating to the key question---why were 27 people now admitted to have been entirely innocent killed or wounded in broad daylight by highly-trained soldiers?

"The theory that Jackson's position as CGS was inhibiting completion of the Report has been privately canvassed by senior civil, servants and by sources who are usually reliable about thinking within the Ministry of Defence. Powerful interests may have been concerned at the prospect of the CGS being the subject of sharp criticism, even condemnation, and at the controversy likely to engulf the top brass if he were in office when the Report came out.

"This was never a good reason for delay. It's a redundant reason now. The families' long wait should be brought to a speedy end."





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