and just what is it you propose VT? That everyone just leaves the thugs of both sides to do their worse? There is no doubt that British imperialism and monumental mis-management did more to cause the trouble than anything else, but to keep out of it now would just be abdicating responsibility. There is a mess in the north of Ireland that no-one wants to take responsibility for. Westminster would be glad to see the back of it. Dublin doesn't want it.

All I can suggest is take heed of Irelands excelent line - "it is the idiot that criticises anyone who takes any legal action to preserve that peace and prevents the murder off innocents." and when you say "Intellegence gathering is likely to be veiwed by any one with an ounce of common sense as provocative and threatening." remeber that the CIA world fact book is just the tip of the biggest intellegence gathering excercise ever undertaken

Cheers

DeG