DIARY OF THE YEAR
Thursday, August 5: Brian Faulkner and General Tuzo's top secret talks at
No 10 resulted in an immediate increase of British troops to Ulster, while James Callaghan thought a Council of All Ire land would improve the deteriorating situation. Labour MPs and hippies joined forces to denounce the sentences of up to 15 months passed on the three OZ editors. The Trade and Industry Department denied allegations that John Davies had deliberately withheld I:120m of orders from UCS. The Pakistani government defended its actions in a White Paper and man took his first steps in deep space.
Friday, August 6: The Russian newspaper, Izvestia, accused four British
Embassy officials of spying — but no official complaint was received. The Prime Minister joined Prince Philip and other Royals in welcoming home round the-world-backwards yachtsman, Chay Blyth, the BBC apologized to Harold Wilson over their ' Yesterday's Men ' programme. Oz judge, Michael Argyll, was wisely afforded further police protection and John and Yoko Lennon sent red roses to the Clyde.
Saturday, August 7: Trouble flared in Ulster after a motorist was shot dead,
supposedly for firing on troops, but eye witnesses claimed his van backfired. Apollo 15 splashed down on time and target but minus a parachute.
Sunday, August 8: After a night a violent rioting in Ulster, a civilian died,
three soldiers were wounded, the Lame power station was sabotaged and a hijacked waterboard lorry exploded in juring five youths. Against shop stewards' advice, Swan Hunters' men voted to stay out, The Spanish Am bassador in Washington hinted at the
desirability of his country joining NATO. Monday, August 9: Ulster was bathed
in blood after Mr Faulkner brought back internment without trial together with a six-month ban on processions, but Jack Lynch's subsequent condemna tion of the measures destroyed hopes of similar action in Eire. Clydesiders re turning from holiday voted unanimously to extend their 'takeover' to the three remaining yards, while Sir John Eden had an unproductive meeting with their representatives in London. India an Russia signed a defence treaty, the biggest fire since the war flared up near Tower Bridge and the Oz martyrs were released on bail.
Tuesday, August 10: Continuing violence in Ulster brought the week's death toll to 17, hundreds of catholics fled across the border and Eire's foreign minister, Dr Hillery, arrived for talks in London. The Pakistan government gave a last-minute cancellation to Edward Kennedy's visit there, an arms deal with the Lebanon was discussed in Beirut and a joint British/NATO offer to Malta of 15m was expected later in the week.
Tuesday, August 11: The Northern Ireland Government announced that it had released 70 of the 300 men detained on Monday, but sporadic violence broke out again in Belfast, Londonderry and Newry. Mr Heath dashed back from the Fastnet race to consider the crisis and union leaders in Ulster called for Westminster intervention. The mother of a shot British soldier called on the Irish to start acting 'like Christians.'
Previous page
