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15 November 2001 Edition

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SMASH PARTITION

'Brits out' is not enough




SUMMIT talks sound important and may even make Dublin politicians feel important, but the meetings between the British and Free State governments are not an exchange between equals, and there can be no doubt about who does the real talking and who does the listening.

If, afterwards, Garret Fitzgerald chooses to select snippets from the results of the talks as signposts to Irish unity, and is not contradicted by London, it is because his doing so does not significantly affect British interests. Just as London did not seriously refute Charles Haughey's ridiculous boasts of an 'historic breakthrough' following the December summit. Boasts now shown to be nothing more than cynical and empty lies.

Britain has long-term interests in Ireland which, at present, are not served by military withdrawal from the Six Counties. But this does not mean that military withdrawal is ruled out by Britain in the future.

If Britain does arrive at a point where to pull out its direct military presence appears to be the best of its options, it will want to be sure that Ireland stays in the control of rulers with whom it has the closest possible agreement and cooperation, economically, politically and strategically. And it is currently examining these areas in the joint studies undertaken by British and Free State civil servants.

But the joint studies and the developments since the Haughey/Thatcher summit, are not confined to such a consideration of withdrawal; their results go also to aid the British position in the North as long as it remains there.

Economic cross-border cooperation is a financial bonus for Britain. But, undoubtedly, most treacherous is the determined 'security' collaboration, the extent of which remains a closely-guarded secret.

In this is the added danger for the Irish people being constructed by the craven Dublin authorities. For collaboration is not merely between Free State and British politicians; on the ground it is collaboration with the British Army, the largest regiment of which is the UDR, and with the RUC. In other words, collaboration with the armed resident loyalist forces which the British will want to remain if they come to a position where they themselves want to leave.

The one party to upset this equation remains the Republican Movement, which clear-sightedly expresses the genuine aspirations of the nationalist people, North and South, for an Ireland serving the interests of the Irish people.

The clear aim of a free united socialist republic prevents the confusions created by settling for anything less. However disguised, partition remains that main confusion to Irish Freedom. Smash it we must and smash it we will.

An Phoblacht, Thursday 12 November 1981



An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland