What the papers say

Journalist Keith Baker reviews Thursday's morning newspapers.

Day two of life after decommissioning and events seem to be gathering pace.

The News Letter gives us the response of the LVF in a statement issued to the paper last night, in which they say apparently that they recognise that the battles ahead for loyalists will be fought out at the ballot box.

The paper's headline sums it up: "Politics, not war." And it quotes David Trimble as saying this could be another positive step towards increased stability.

Sentinels that scar the rugged beauty of South Armagh

The Express

The Irish News writes of a united appeal to loyalists from influential Catholic and Protestant clergy.

The paper's been talking to the former primate, Cardinal Daly, and to the Rev Roy Magee, who helped to broker the loyalist ceasefires. And there are the words of the secretary of state, asking loyalists to ask themselves what they can do to move the process forward.

One obvious sign of movement is the dismantling of the army watchtowers. "Watch and go" is how The Sun headline describes it. The Express writes of the towers standing brooding on the landscape, sentinels that scar the rugged beauty of South Armagh.

What happens next?

The Independent calls in its technology editor to tell us what the watchtowers actually do. He says for the last 16 years they've bristled with hi-tech surveillance systems such as infrared cameras and directional microphones which can pick up a conversation on a street or even inside a house through the subtle movement of glass in a window.

Mr Arafat and Mr Sharon might find something to inspire hope.

The Guardian

The Irish Times writes of other developments on the way in line with the proposals hammered out at Weston Park earlier in the year. It mentions police reform and changes in the criminal justice system, as well as measures to ensure that Sinn Fein or other ministers can't be barred from north-south ministerial meetings, as happened when David Trimble was first minister.

The Irish Independent says in the past few days we've seen a new David Trimble. A man who'd never seemed comfortable in public has beamed and blossomed, full of authority and self-confidence and not a hint of triumphalism.

The Guardian leader reckons the Middle East could learn something from what's going on here. It recommends to Mr Arafat and Mr Sharon that if they could break their mutual dance of hatred for a moment and look towards Belfast, they might find something to inspire hope.

Even more important?

The News Letter's Morning View column turns to another big story - the Burns review of post-primary education.

In fact, it says, future historians may see it as substantially more historic than the IRA action on decommissioning.

The Irish News says the review is an imaginative plan but the real test will be to see if it can provide the best possible education for every child, regardless of ability, social background or geographical location.

Finally, it's national blonde week in the Daily Star and today's blonde is, would you believe it, Anne Widdecombe. The Express has a picture of her new look as well. It says she has abandoned her roots and has an image to "dye" for.