Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Irish Nationalists Battle British Troops

Aired July 13, 2001 - 08:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Calm is the word right now in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but that certainly was not the case last night as Catholics battled police and British troops. More than 100 officers were hurt.

We get details now from Mark Webster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK WEBSTER, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): Pinned in by police in riot gear, nationalist anger spilled out on the streets of Belfast in some of the most bitter clashes with the IUC (ph) in years.

thousands of protesters hold bricks and bottles after police cordoned off an area to allow an Orange Parade to return to a Catholic vein.

Under a sustained hail of missiles, there were many police casualties, including one hit by a pick ax. Then, in another bid to push the protesters back, the police brought in a water cannon.

The presence of the IUC (ph) have clearly infuriated nationalists.

GERRY KELLY, SINN FEIN: Look at this; this is a Catholic area. They're not -- This is not here to protect Catholics; this is not here to protect nationalists. It's here to ram a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

WEBSTER: As the situation deteriorated further, nationalists pushed cars into the streets and set fire to them in scenes reminiscent of the worst of the troubles.

(on camera): This explosion of nationalist anger is some of the worst rioting seen in Belfast in many years. It's a measure of just how high the tensions are running at a time when the political process is in deep trouble.

(voice-over): Such appalling violence in Belfast, just at a time when the peace process is struggling, will give an added sense of urgency to the talks due to resume in England. Whatever the benefits of the last three years, as the Good Friday peace agreement was signed, it's clear that on the streets the anger still remains.

Mark Webster, ITN, Belfast. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com