Caught in the web

A chairde,

This is a partial response to ``Technological Writing'' (Mála Poist 15 January). The author requested a listing of web sites of interest to Republicans. I have a great deal of interest in the Irish Republican movement and I follow events in Ireland and the UK closely. However, I reside in the US and receive all my information via the internet. Below is a listing of relevent sites I believe are worth checking out.
Newspapers

An Phoblacht

www.irlnet.com/aprn/index.html
Andersonstown News

ireland.iol.ie/andersontown-news/
Irish News (global ed)

www.irishnews.com/
Irish Times

www.irish-times.com/
BBC News

news.bbc.co.uk/
Party/Government Office Pages

Sinn Fein

sinnfein.ie/index.html
SDLP

www.sdlp.ie/sdlp/
DUP

www.dup.org.uk/
UUP

www.uup.org/
Dublin government

www.irlgov.ie
NIO

alexandra14.nio.gov.uk
Each site offers their unique viewpoint on events as they unfold, as well as (in the case of the party homepages) a wealth of information regarding the history and mission of their respective organizations. Many may wonder (and rightly so) what the merits of visiting, say, David Trimble's web page might be. To help Unionists to see the opportunity for positive change that lies ahead and to realise a future of equality and self-determination, one must understand the misconceptions, fears and stereotypes instilled in them by generations of weak and deceptive leadership. The internet can be a tool to accomplish just this task.

Matthew Nord
Los Angeles

A role model

A chairde,

We of YOFABO (Youth of Fingal Against British Occupation) would like to send our deepest sympathy to the friends and family of Terry Enright, brutally gunned down last weekend by a loyalist death squad.

Of all reports of killing in Ireland, this seems to be one of the most tragic. He put his efforts into working with the youth from both sides of the community; it is this type of person who becomes a role model for all young people.

It for this reason that he was killed. Loyalist killers who are nothing only thugs are afraid of the likes of Terry, who had no hatred for anyone; going into their community and showing that whether Catholic or Protestant, Nationalists treat everyone the same... for we are all Irish.

When this beautiful country of ours is united, Unionists, Protestants and even those evil bastards from the loyalist death squads will learn that it is a better society than they ever know. They will learn that the killing has been for nothing and that lasting peace in a 32 county republic is as colourful and beautiful as the blooms and flowers on all the graves of the patriot dead and that will grow on Terry Enright's.

May you rest in peace.

Gary O'Brien,
YOFABO member.

Memorial Park

A Chairde,

It would appear that the National Graves Association has at last convinced the government that a Bus Park would not be a fitting tribute to the men of 1798 buried in the Croppy Acre (field facing Collins Barracks).

We are pleased to inform your readers that construction of a Memorial Park is due to commence early in 1998.

The Association, while welcoming this change of mind brought about by our campaign, will remain very vigilant. Can I thank all who helped us in our campaign and also your newspaper for all the publicity relating to this matter.

Matt Doyle,
Secretary,
National Graves Association, Ireland,
74 Dame Street,
Dublin 2.

Not alone in Italy

A chairde,

I am not alone!

I am an 18-year-old Italian student and I have read the letter by Davide Perniche, from Rome, and now I know that in Italy there are other people that, like me, agree with Irish republicans and think that our histories are similar.

I think that the people that, in every corner of the world think that ``Ireland unfree shall never be at peace'' have to join forces.

The ideas that today inspire the Irish republicans are the same that inspired Italian patriots and partisans. Our past is your present. Italian newspapers don't write a lot about Ireland, and that's why I took out a subscription for An Phoblacht, so Davide (and other Italians that agree with me) please write to me! I'd like to talk about my favourite topic of conversation in my language!

Alessandra Mattioli,
Via Bergamo, 41,
24047 Treviglio (BG),
Italy.

Plenty to play for

A chairde,

Any assessment of the Heads of Agreement proposals from the two governments must be based on republicans making up their own minds and not on the disinformation of much of the media attempting to downplay their non-partitionist elements. This is being done to provoke the republican movement into leaving the talks so as to place anti-partitionists at a disadvantage in the negotiations.

Almost without exception the media only itemised three bodies: North-South body; Council of the Isles; new local assembly with devolved powers; but have chosen to omit a fourth significant item - ``Standing intergovernmental machinery between the Irish and British governments covering areas of mutual interest, including non-devolved issues for Northern Ireland,''. ``Standing'' means permanently existing as a body; ``mutual interests including non-devolved issues'' means macro-economic policy and macro-political issues for the Six Counties; ``devolved'' local assembly only means a local council.

This is effectively Joint Authority, which reduces the new local assembly to little more than a county council (as some of the media have let slip and as Peter Robinson of the DUP complains, despite Trimble having to put a brave face on it).

These proposals only mention ``changes to the Irish constitution'', they do not specifically mention Articles Two and Three and certainly do not prescribe any rewording.

Whilst questions remain about exactly how majorities will be constructed on these bodies for decision-making purposes and what their parameters are and exactly how they will work, there is still much for Sinn Féin to play for here.

Joe Murphy,
Birmingham

The issue is rights, not equality

A chairde,

Thank you for a commentary on `The Propositions on Heads of Agreement' (An Phoblacht, 15 January). I would appreciate further clarification on Sinn Féin's disquiet with it. `A sop to unionists' did underline that pressure and timing were important aspects in its appearance and must be considered along with its contents.

Throughout Sinn Féin political argument there are vague notions. Two examples are chosen from the above article to demonstrate.

The first is the assumption that partition has failed nationalists, unionists, the island... The unionists so far have no reason to believe it has failed them otherwise the pro-union option would have little attraction. The 26 County part of the island makes no such claim; I think it is quite mistaken to keep on about that. Most people in the south have no contact with a reality called partition.

How can the article state: ``It has failed the whole island in terms of human rights, cultural development, economic prosperity and social instability''? It has affected one part of the population, the nationalists of the Six Counties. Let those most affected keep declaring it and engaging those for whom it hardly exists.

Unless you can argue point by point in word and experience how the unionists and the island have been affected and supported by statements from respective representatives, the argument is like a hollow drum.

Which reminds me of a second notion: equality. I do not plead to be equal; I am equal. The issue is about my rights and not about my equality. I have political rights: to be a full citizen of an Irish Republic. I neither need equality nor consent.

I am not claiming my political rights on an equality ticket: they have their own integrity and value. I struggle in their pursuit: I may consent to accommodation on the journey to ultimate achievement. The consent is mine and not the majority of any other group claiming to adjudicate on my rights.

I suggest we cut out all reference to the subservient notion of equality and get on with our pursuit of political rights - this is a `Human Rights Year' with its slogan: All Human Rights for All.

M. M. McCarron.

Bloody Sunday petition

A chairde,

The 26th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday will soon be upon us. It is a disgrace that no soldier was ever charged with the murders and no one has ever apologised to the relatives of the dead. I would like to draw readers attention to the Factsheet and Petition that the Troops Out Movement has produced with the approval of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign (the relatives campaign in Derry).

The petition calls for an independent public inquiry. Tony Blair and his supporters have made vague references to re-opening the case and there have been rumours of a statement and apology being imminent. We need to give the issue a push and turn rumours into reality. We have been leafleting and petitioning for a number of months now and if readers want Petitions and Factsheets they can be obtained from the address below.

I would also appeal to readers to join the Bloody Sunday Commemoration March calling for Peace in Ireland through British Withdrawal on Saturday 24 January 1998, London. Assemble 12 noon Highbury Fields. March to Indoor Rally, Caxton House, St Johns Way, Archway.

Mary Pearson,
Troops Out Movement
PO Box 1032
Birmingham
B12 8BZ