20 December 2002 Edition
Season's Greetings
In this, our last paper of 2001, the staff of An Phoblacht would like to wish all our sellers and readers Seasons Greetings and all the best for 2002.
As the year draws to a close, Irish republicans will look back on an eventful political period.
In the 20th Anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike, republican Ireland mobilised in large numbers across Ireland, to remember ten brave comrades who died in that watershed year. A fitting tribute was made to their sacrifice and heroism and the struggle in which they served and died has been renewed with vigour, determination and most importantly, with new people North and South.
The historic decision made by the IRA in October, in which some weapons were put beyond use, was the most significant and courageous political development of the year. The effect of that decision has yet to be fully understood, and those in the unionist 'No'camp continue in attempting to undermine its importance.
Republicans need to ensure, in the time ahead, that those unionists who support the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement are supported.
2001 saw Sinn Féin firmly establish itself as the largest nationalist party in the Six Counties. It won four seats in June's Westminster election and sent out a clear message to the British and Unionist establishments that Sinn Féin policies are attracting more and more people.
That election result was no more closely scrutinised than in Leinster House and the 26-County political establishment is now looking over it's shoulder at Sinn Féin's political advance and it is worried.
Recent revelations that the RUC Special Branch didn't act on information it received regarding the Omagh bomb and more disclosures of it's involvement in the killing of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, are further evidence that the 'securocrats' are still ingrained in the woodwork of life in the Six Counties. It also demonstrates the folly of the SDLP prematurely joining the new police board and effectively supporting a dressed-up RUC.
Republicans must take up the tasks that lie ahead. We must ensure that when Caoimhghín O'Caoláin returns the Leinster House after the next election he has plenty of republican company and in the Six Counties we must ensure that our work in the Executive and other Good Friday institiutions advances the cause of republicanism.
As the year draws to a close, Irish republicans will look back on an eventful political period.
In the 20th Anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike, republican Ireland mobilised in large numbers across Ireland, to remember ten brave comrades who died in that watershed year. A fitting tribute was made to their sacrifice and heroism and the struggle in which they served and died has been renewed with vigour, determination and most importantly, with new people North and South.
The historic decision made by the IRA in October, in which some weapons were put beyond use, was the most significant and courageous political development of the year. The effect of that decision has yet to be fully understood, and those in the unionist 'No'camp continue in attempting to undermine its importance.
Republicans need to ensure, in the time ahead, that those unionists who support the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement are supported.
2001 saw Sinn Féin firmly establish itself as the largest nationalist party in the Six Counties. It won four seats in June's Westminster election and sent out a clear message to the British and Unionist establishments that Sinn Féin policies are attracting more and more people.
That election result was no more closely scrutinised than in Leinster House and the 26-County political establishment is now looking over it's shoulder at Sinn Féin's political advance and it is worried.
Recent revelations that the RUC Special Branch didn't act on information it received regarding the Omagh bomb and more disclosures of it's involvement in the killing of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, are further evidence that the 'securocrats' are still ingrained in the woodwork of life in the Six Counties. It also demonstrates the folly of the SDLP prematurely joining the new police board and effectively supporting a dressed-up RUC.
Republicans must take up the tasks that lie ahead. We must ensure that when Caoimhghín O'Caoláin returns the Leinster House after the next election he has plenty of republican company and in the Six Counties we must ensure that our work in the Executive and other Good Friday institiutions advances the cause of republicanism.