Trust yourselves

Stormont, or what it has stood for, has been the focus of what we must change. Stormont or an assembly with unionists in control is surely Stormont of old.

Stormont or an assembly with the alliance and the SDLP playing up service to power sharing will inevitably remain Stormomt of old.

Stormont or an assembly with British policy safeguards and an Irish Goverment looking on is yet again always going to be Stormont of old.

But Stormont or an assembly with active Republicans in it will never, can never be Stormont of old, we shouldn't trust anybody but ourselves.

Just as our prisoners claimed the H-Blocks as a Battleground. Just as we have claimed the streets in the fight for civil rights. Just as our comrades of Oglaigh na hEireann have claimed many other fields of battle. Just as our leadership claimed the press on an international scale. Just as our negotiators claimed the envy of other parties and goverments.

We believe that we can and must go into any essembly, any Debate, any country and lay claim loudly and proudly that:

We are not going back into the box, we are not going to be silenced. We are going to fight our corner. We are going to fully articulate our analysis. We are never going to accept that the past was right when the world knows it was wrong. We will never accept a failed entity. We are not afraid of change.

Comrades, change is what our lives have been all about and change is what our opponents want to stifle.

Articles 2 + 3 are much like the SDLP on their own inside an Assembley. They are of the old order. We view articles 2 + 3 as having an emotional pull on many of us but we ask you to bite into the reality sandwich. Articles 2 + 3 have NEVER given us anything as Republicans, Nationalists and Socialists.

They have Never given us a semblence of protection. They have Never made us stronger as a people or a movement. They have Never made us magically more Irish than we are and they Never can. We can all vote No to changes in articles 2 + 3 in a few weeks time, but we must ask the question ``so what''?, if we do. Articles 2 + 3 can remain as they are for the next thousand years and in real terms what will that do? Tell us something that is already, always has been, a reality - That this is Ireland and we are Irish. Do we need articles 2 + 3 to tell us what is in our blood and what is a geographical reality?

We as Republicans from our youth back to Joe Cahill are the only Guarantors of the struggle for independance.

We have been the people on the move and in action and who have stood fast and demanded change and our national right.

Sadly we are the people who have stood over too many graves in salute to comrades who were prepared to die for our dream.

We believe that we must prosecute our struggle in the political field of battle inside, not outside.

We feel that Articles 2 + 3 can be voted upon with individual conscience but only in the context that you are as Republicans

have been, are and will remain to be the only guarantee of our future national unity. Emotion can fog our view and make us blink. At this time above all other time in our struggle we cannot blink!

We extend our comradeship, solidarity and total support to our leadership and to you all as Republicans.

Trust yourselves, but above all stand united and fear nothing!

PRO
Irish Republican POWs
Portlaoise.

Irish father

A Chairde,

The interview with Mick O' Riordan (Republican News 16th April) has exposed problems amongst Irish people everywhere about their attitude to racism and fascism, and how that relates to Irish independance.

Born in England with an Irish father I've always considered fighting anti-Irish racism as part of the wider struggle of fighting fascism and defending minorities from racism.

For years I've watched Uncle Tims like Frank Carson and Des McHale pandering to anti-Irish racism with their so called ``Jokes'', but now we have rascists in Ireland forming neo fascist groups so they can promote rascism against helpless refugees.

When Anti-Fascist Action disrupted a Fascist meeting in Ennis the anti Republican ``liberal'' and right wing press in Ireland and Britain were outraged that freedom had been curtailed.

The Sun's right wing journalist Garry Bushell who loves Bernard Manning and refers to Irish people as Paddies t hought that A.F.A. should be banned not the fascist.

Although right wing journalists and Tory Bigots distance themselves from fascist thugs from combat 18 they are all ardent supporters of extream loyalism. When the orange order tries to deny the people of the Garvaghy Road their dignity in July by parading their bigotry, they will be supported by racist ; A.F.A. will support the people of the Garvaghy Road: That is the sign Post Irish people must look to....

Yours sincerely

William McDermott,
Middlesex

Principles

A Chairde,

What goverment in the world would urge its people to vote part of its territory out of existence, to not have a definition of its own territory? Forget the sterile semantics, the facts are, if we alter articles 2/3 as suggested the only legitimate claim to the six counties will be the British one. (Act of union 1800, the northern constitutional power act 1973). Principles cannot be compromised, bought or bartered for.

Sincerely

Brendan Agar
Dublin 15.

Volunteers remembered

A chara.

On the 23rd of May 1998 The Peadar Chancy Sinn Fein Cumann will Commemorate the 75th anniversary of volunteers Quinn Manony & Shaughnessy. These men were natives of Ennis, Patrick Mahony was from Market St., Willie Shaughnessy was from the Old inn, Litany Barracks, Kilrush Rd. and Christopher Quinn from the Turnpike. They were executed at the Home Barracks Ennis, by Free State Firing Squads. Their executions were as a Ropaised for the shooting of a Free State Soldier Namod Canty ``who only 21 years of age was described by the press as an old IRA man''.

All three volunteers were members of the Mid Clare Brigade of the Irish Republican Army and were active in the TAN WAR. The parade will assemble at 5pm in Abbey Car Park. It will be led by colour parties and band.

It is hoped that as many Republicans as possible will attend.

Oration by Coireall Curtain

Reading of the Proclamation Patrick Hackett

Wreath laying by members of the vols Families

Is mise

Padraig Naughton
Peadar Clancy Cumann

Unionist Veto

The good friday document is driven throughout by the logic of consent/unionist veto. There is a unionist veto in the constitutional proposals, identical to the Hillsborough Agreement which `forwards a lasting peace' argued copper-fastened partition into perpituity. There is a unionist veto in the assembly and the North-South council through the rules for parallel consent/weighted majority.The nationalist veto is no counterbalance because veto cannot bring about positive change and favours the status quo. Even in the equality agenda progress must be balanced against unionist sensibilities, (e.g. the Irish language and unemployment differentials).

The good friday document falls far short of our minimum requirements. Seeking consensus with nationalism immediately narrowed the possible outcomes. Dublin and the SDLP support consent/unionist veto and do not actively seek to end partition. The peace strategy contains no means of moving nationalism on this crucial area.

We are now faced with a partitionist six county Assembly. Can we participate without being co-opted into the running of partition?

The failure to approach the minimum requirements of `Bridge to the Future' excludes regarding these arrangements as transitional.

Nationalism is commited to consent/unionist veto and does not seek to end partition.

Economic integration and the EU are by-passing borders but not erasing them.

The N/S councils growth and decision making are subject to unionist veto.

The equality agenda promises only the same equality/ inequality as in any capitalist state and will not threaten partition.

The demographic argument is politically reactionary. Balancing orange and green majorities promises sectarian conflict into the future.

Nonetheless, this Assembly will become a reality. The peace strategy has left us far along the road to constitutionalism and co-option, with no sign post leading elsewhere.

A possible route out of this cul-de-sac is suggested here:

. Reject the Good friday document in its entirety.

. Participation in the new Assembly must be based on Republican analysis:

(1) Opposition to all aspects of partition, political, economic, military, etc.

(2) British rule is the main contradiction, it is militarised.

(3) The six county state is undemocratic and institutionalises sectarianism. We must oppose sectarianism.

(4) The 26 county state is the source of political stability for partition, and thus, for capitalism and imperialism.

. Participation on any other basis leads to co-option and partition.

. Any election platform must make participation conditional on achievement of the minimum requirements in `Bridge to the Future': the withdrawel of the British claim to sovereignty: the establishment of a consensus with Dublin and the SDLP which actively rejects consent/unionist veto and British rule.

. Without these conditions the Good friday arrangements are inescapably partitionist.

. The existence or otherwise of these conditions must be reviewed within twelve months:

(1) Participation to be recognised.

(2) An effective strategy to oppose all aspects, political, economic, military, etc., of British rule and partition to be formulated.

(3) Participation in the Assembly to be discontinued unless such an effective, counterbalancing strategy, in all its aspects, is implemented.

`No Otherlaw'
Dublin

ANC thanks

Sir,

Full marks to the African National Congress delegation for coming to Ireland in our hour of need. Its refreshing to see that we have many friends in South Africa prepared to assist and develop the peace process.

We appreciate your support, advice and guidance. The Irish people will never forget a gesture like this. The A.N.C. know well that the new Ireland we are all trying to build willbe based on Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Above all it will be about accomadating difference.

yours sincerly

Finian McGrath
Dublin 9

Concerning the peace negotiations

Never, never, never, NEVER give up your weapons. If you do you will be cutting your own throats and goverments around the world will laugh at your ignorance.

A founding father of the American Revolution, I think it was Thomas Jefferson, said ``The price of freedom is eternal vigilence''. You will never be at a point where you can say ``OK, there's no more danger. We can scrap our arms and all return to farming and commerce''.

When people ask when you will disarm, simply say ``The day after England and all other nations of the world disarm and destroy all means of manufacturing arms''. That day will never come.

Joe McGhee

Na Reifreann

A Chairde,

Maidir leis an dá Reifreann atá socruithe ag an Rialtas do 22 Bealtaine na bliana seo, tá séanadh cearta ar mhuintir na hÉireann i gceist sa dá chás.

Seachas an chád cháipéis ar Reifreann Amstardam ``Forléargas'' atá á scaipeadh faoi láthair ar theaghlaigh an stáit, beidh gach cáipéis eile sa dá reifreann á scaipeadh ar gach teach sa stáit AS BÉARLA AMHAIN, fiú amháin sa nGaeltacht.

Dár ndóidh beidh leaganacha Gaeilge le fáil acu siúd atá sásta dul á gcuartú go speisialta, ach níl seo ag léiriú ``parity of esteem'' don Ghaeilge. Tá an droch-staid céanna ann maidir le fógraí raidió, teilifíe agus nuachtáin náisiúnta-tá muid srianta d'fhógraíocht Béarla amháin (seachas roinnt des na meáin Ghaeilge)

Dúradh linn agus muid ag dul isteach san Aontas Eorpach go mbeadh an-chuidiú ann do fhorbairt ár dteanga agus cultúr féin, ach más sampla é an Reifreann seo don meas atá ag Aontas na hEorpa ar an nGaeilge, is fíor-droch chomhartha é. Is féidir an rud céanna a rá faoin gComhaontú sa Tuaisceart.

Is baill muid de roinnt mhaith eagras Ghaeilge agus táimid ag iarraidh ar gach aoinne gur spéis leo cothrom na Féinne agus cearta sibhialta, vótáil i gcoinne na leasuithe Bunteachtúla dá reifreann seo, mar agóid in aghaidh an easpa ``parity of esteem'' atá á taispeáint don Ghaeilge.

The people of Ireland are being denied basic rights in connection with the two Referenda to be held on 22 May.

Apart from the first booklet on the Amsterdam Referendum ``An Overview'' which is bilingual and is being distrubuted at present, all other documents relating to the referenda are to be distrubuted to every dwelling in the state IN ENGLISH ONLY, even in Gaeltacht areas.

Of course there will be seperate versions available for those who which to search for them, but this dos not show ``parity of esteem'' to the Irish language. Advertisements on radio, television and national newspapers are also English language only (apart from some Irish language media.)

We were told that our entry into the European Union would help to develop our language and culture, but if this referendum is an example of how Irish is to be regarded by the European Union, it does not augur well for Irish. The same can be said of the referendum on the Northern Agreement.

We, the undersigned, members of many Irish language organisations, are asking all those with a sense of fair play and justice to vote against both changes to the constitution, as a protest at the lack of parity of esteem being shown to Irish.

Is muide,

Eibhlín Ní Phriosáin
Cris Ní Choisdealbha
Tomás O Cuilinn
Una Ní Shéacháin
Aoife Ní Éanaigh
Séamus O Muineacháin
Aengus O Snodaigh
Caitríona Uí Mhuircheartaigh.

Priests support people of Garvaghy Road

A chairde,

In the recent past we have all borne witness to the unspeakable pain and suffering inflicted upon the Catholic community in the six counties. We saw innocents deprived of their most fundamental right - the right to life - solely because of their religion. We are painfully aware of an almost desperate sense of isolation amongst our people. They feel betrayed, abandoned and vunerable and it is for this reason that we, the undersigned clergy and religious, feel compelled to issue this statment.

We are all too aware that the commencement of the ``marching season'' is imminent. We are aware too that there is a growing sense of dread amongst our people that they will again be forced to suffer the indignities and injustices inflicted upon them in past years. The rights and freedom of small Catholic communities, such as that on the Garvaghy Road, have invariably been sacrificed as the authorities caved in under ``the greater threat''.

We do not ask that others be deprived of their rights and liberties. We ask only that the authorities assess with honesty the continual deprivation of Catholic rights and act accordingly. Who amongst us can forget the poignant images of bloodied Massgoers on the Garvaghy Road last July? These people deserved better.

Jesus Christ accorded equal treatment to all and it is in the name of Christianity that we appeal to those empowered to prevent constant repetition of injustices inflicted.

We feel that our communities have the inalienable right to live in peace and free of threat or fear. We feel strongly that they should not be beaten from the very areas occupied by them, and we ask that it be recognised that they are entitled to dignity and to their rights under the proper rule and enforcement of the law.

It is unthinkable that the approaching summer should again herald the fears and tensions which have characterised the past three years. Peace is too precious a commodity to be tramped underfoot by marching feet.

In the name, therefore, of all that is right and just, we call upon the Secretary of State to ensure that our people are not brutalised and humiliated without mercy. They have suffered too much for too long and desperately need reassurance that they will be treated with humanity and justice and that they have the support of all right thinking persons.

Signed by:

Revs Colm Hayden, Ben Hughes, Shane McCaughey, Pat McHugh, Anthony McLaverty, Joe McVeigh, John Moley, Joseph Quinn, Tomas Walsh, Des Wilson.
c/o Springhill
Belfast.