Republican News · Thursday 27 February 1997

[An Phoblacht]

Silent reaction to Monaghan bomb

The reaction to the loyalist bomb at the Sinn Féin office in Monaghan speaks volumes about those who have been lecturing Sinn Féin in recent weeks.

John Bruton and Bertie Ahern have made lengthy speeches about Sinn Féin's reponsibilities and how political violence has no place in Ireland. British Ministers and members of the SDLP have similarly moralised. Their silence this week leaves them open to challenge on two fronts.

First, all those people who normally rush to condemn must be asked, in what way is an attack on Sinn Féin different? Not a word has been spoken. Can they now answer accusations of hypocrisy?

Secondly, the dogs in the street know that loyalists placed the bomb but there has not been a word about the implications for the PUP and UDP at the Stormont talks. It is a clear case of double standards. That is undeniable. There was an unholy rush to exclude Sinn Féin from talks after IRA actions.

At heart the obvious double standards shown this week betray a fear of change, a fear of the need for inclusive dialogue. As Sinn Féin's Cavan/Monaghan candidate Caoimhghin O Caoláin - who has been named as the target of the bomb - said this week, ``It is time for the double standards to end and for Sinn Féin to be fully included in the talks process.''

He also said that Sinn Féin will not be intimidated. They are here to stay and to continue with their peace project.

You must support McAliskey

Roisín McAliskey will spend International Women's Day in prison with the prospect that her baby will be born in two month's time and then be taken from her. Hers is one of the most disgraceful examples of British mistreatment of Irish political prisoners ever seen. History has proved that the British authorities will not move on prison issues until faced with overwhelming public protest.

International Women's Day is when that support must be mobilised to the fullest extent. Time is running out. Everyone should attend protest actions in their area.

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