British Army engineers begin to dismantle an observation post at a security base in south Armagh.
The move to take down the post has been welcomed by nationalist and republican politicians in the area. The army base at Crossmaglen is set to remain open for the foreseeable future.
The observation post has been in use by the British army for over twenty years. During that time, it has survived many attempts by the IRA to destroy it. On one occasion, the IRA tried to burn it down using a slurry tanker as an improvised flamethrower.
The post is now being removed as part of the demilitarisation measures promised by the British government.
John Fee of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) says that the removal of one tower will not do away with the trappings of war.
Symbolically, this is proof positive that demilitarisation is genuinely on the cards.
Conor Murphy of Sinn Féin agrees that this is a move in the right direction. However, he would like to see the British army gone from the area completely.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 July 2000. The reporter is Brendan Wright.
