Viva internationalism
A chairde,
I would like the opportunity to remind Sean McMahon
(Mala Poist 12 February) that not only are we fighting
for Ireland, but for Cuba and all other countries who
are battling against imperialism.
I note with interest that his ``humble opinion'' is that
we can attack the US press and its priorities, but we
should not criticise the US policy that is currently
killing sick and elderly people in Cuba.
Che Guevara, the Argentinian internationalist, in his
final letter to his children, urged them,''above all,
always be capable of feeling in the deepest part of
your being whatever injustice that is commited in
whatever part of the world. It's the most beautiful
quality of the revolutionary''
It's not a question of choosing our fights carefully,
it's a question of solidarity and necessity. If we wait
until we have secured a united 32 county Ireland, who's
to say Cuba will still exist? So Sean, find out about
Che and his ideas and Dara McNeil, congratulations for
producing consistently informative and well written
articles.
Diarmuid Fogarty
Bilbao
Obstacles to change
A Chairde
The once mighty and powerful unionist monolith has
disappeared, but the old and outmoded mentality still
exists. The peace process has exposed the inability of
unionist politicians to confront and engage with other
political parties. Before the IRA suspended the ``war''
unionists relied on the British army/RUC to do their
bidding.
It is evident from the lack of progress from within the
talks that Trimble's UUP can't cope with the wheel of
change. The DUP, on the other hand, remain outside the
``change process'' like a relic from the past. In fact
the Stalinist approach adopted by Paisley has in effect
rendered him an irrelevance.
Realistically, nothing tangible will emanate from the
Stormont talks. The onus of responsibility will finally
rest on the laps of the British and Irish Governments.
Tim Jones
London
Questions for Ahern
A chairde,
Much has been said about the supposed similarity of the
republician movement's predicament with that of the
UDP. However, apart from the fact that the UDA itself
admitted breaking its ceasefire, there is another
fundamental difference between the UDP and
republicians.
As unionists the UDP accept the right of the British
writ to run in a part of Ireland and for it to be
exercised by a direct ruler unelected by anyone in
Ireland and drawing on information from the RUC.
Nationalist Ireland, of course, does not and cannot
accept this. Its forefathers struggle was for an
accountable Irish constitutional democracy. And it is
the constitutional implications of the Irish
Government's attitude in relation to the indictment
brought against Sinn Fein by the British Government, a
decision which could be seen as prejudicing the trial
of four other Irish citizens in Belfast, that give rise
to concern.
The Supreme Court judgement in the McGimpsey case made
the vindication of the constitution and the rights
therein for Irish citizens in respect of the north and
the pursuit of the reintegration of the national
territory under Articles Two and Three a constitutional
imperative for the Irish Government. How is the Irish
Government meeting this imperative if it is
collaborating in a process that would effectively
deprive Irish citizens both at trial in Belfast or at
the talks of their de jure constitutional and human
right on the basis of information supplied by the RUC?
It is not enough for Bertie Ahern to say he has had no
dealings with the RUC only with the British prime
minister, when the information he has been given by
Tony Blair obviously must come from the RUC.
Joe Murphy
Birmingham
Fórsaí na Breataine nochtaithe
A chara,
Léiríonn an tuarisc a bhí ar ``An Phoblacht'' 8/2/98 fán
bhanshaighdiúir a scaoil an `RUC' go bhfuil an `SAS'
gníomhach ar fad in Éirinn agus ar dhá thaoibh den
teorainn fosta.
Bhí an scéal eile fán comhairleoir as Stát Aontaithe
Mheiricea a stad an RUC millteanach freisin.
Má dhéanann siad seo le comhairleoir as SAM, cad é
dhéanfadh siad le comhairleoir Éireannach nó le duine
ar bith eile as an ghnath phobal?
Is cinnte gur fórsa sceimleitheoireachta atá san RUC
agus seicteach fosta. Ní féidir glacadh leo ar chor ar
bith go dtí go gcuirtear forsa neamhsceimhleoireachta
agus neamhsheicteach in a n-áit. Ba chóir do Rialtas na
26 Co. cur in éadan an SAS.
Mícheál O Maoileoin,
Béal Feirste.
Seize the opportunity
A chairde,
I find it an amazing spectacle to see the leadership of
Sinn Fein demanding, nay begging, to be re-admitted to
a pro-unionist, pro-British talks process with a
pre-determined outcome.
Sinn Fein should be glad of the opportunity to extract
themselves from a process which may have had potential
at its outset but which has been steered on to the
rocks of another unionist-dominated assembly by a
combination of anti-republician forces in the media,
within Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the SDLP, as well as
the unionists/loyalists and Britain's Labour Party.
Sinn Fein has been given a golden opportunity to
re-establish a democratic peace process based on the
republican principles contained in Towards a Lasting
Peace and Scenario for Peace. Negotiation on the future
of Ireland should involve representatives of ALL the
Irish people, not just those who happen to live in the
partitionist state.
Aengus O Snodaigh
Baile Atha Cliath
Democrats and progressives
A chairde,
Isn't it extraordinary how people use the words
``democratic'' and ``progressive'' as titles for their
parties - Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists, Gary
McMichael's Ulster Democratic Party, Billy Hutchinson's
Progressive Unionist Party, Desmond O Malley's
Progressive Democrats? Maybe the time has come for us
to re-define the words ``progressive'' and ``democratic''?
Desmond Wilson
Fire victims
A chairde,
Bannow Road Fire Victims Committee are appealing for
funds for the Kidd family. The fire, on Sunday 1
February in the Cabra area of North Dublin, claimed the
lives of two children and seriously injured five
others. Donations for the fund can be made at TSB Bank
Account No 00433321. Sort Code 990603.
Bannow Road Fire Victims Committee
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