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Each site offers their unique viewpoint on events as
they unfold, as well as (in the case of the party
homepages) a wealth of information regarding the
history and mission of their respective organizations.
Many may wonder (and rightly so) what the merits of
visiting, say, David Trimble's web page might be. To
help Unionists to see the opportunity for positive
change that lies ahead and to realise a future of
equality and self-determination, one must understand
the misconceptions, fears and stereotypes instilled in
them by generations of weak and deceptive leadership.
The internet can be a tool to accomplish just this
task.
Matthew Nord
Los Angeles
A role model
A chairde,
We of YOFABO (Youth of Fingal Against British
Occupation) would like to send our deepest sympathy to
the friends and family of Terry Enright, brutally
gunned down last weekend by a loyalist death squad.
Of all reports of killing in Ireland, this seems to be
one of the most tragic. He put his efforts into working
with the youth from both sides of the community; it is
this type of person who becomes a role model for all
young people.
It for this reason that he was killed. Loyalist killers
who are nothing only thugs are afraid of the likes of
Terry, who had no hatred for anyone; going into their
community and showing that whether Catholic or
Protestant, Nationalists treat everyone the same... for
we are all Irish.
When this beautiful country of ours is united,
Unionists, Protestants and even those evil bastards
from the loyalist death squads will learn that it is a
better society than they ever know. They will learn
that the killing has been for nothing and that lasting
peace in a 32 county republic is as colourful and
beautiful as the blooms and flowers on all the graves
of the patriot dead and that will grow on Terry
Enright's.
May you rest in peace.
Gary O'Brien,
YOFABO member.
Memorial Park
A Chairde,
It would appear that the National Graves Association
has at last convinced the government that a Bus Park
would not be a fitting tribute to the men of 1798
buried in the Croppy Acre (field facing Collins
Barracks).
We are pleased to inform your readers that construction
of a Memorial Park is due to commence early in 1998.
The Association, while welcoming this change of mind
brought about by our campaign, will remain very
vigilant. Can I thank all who helped us in our campaign
and also your newspaper for all the publicity relating
to this matter.
Matt Doyle,
Secretary,
National Graves Association, Ireland,
74 Dame Street,
Dublin 2.
Not alone in Italy
A chairde,
I am not alone!
I am an 18-year-old Italian student and I have read the
letter by Davide Perniche, from Rome, and now I know
that in Italy there are other people that, like me,
agree with Irish republicans and think that our
histories are similar.
I think that the people that, in every corner of the
world think that ``Ireland unfree shall never be at
peace'' have to join forces.
The ideas that today inspire the Irish republicans are
the same that inspired Italian patriots and partisans.
Our past is your present. Italian newspapers don't
write a lot about Ireland, and that's why I took out a
subscription for An Phoblacht, so Davide (and other
Italians that agree with me) please write to me! I'd
like to talk about my favourite topic of conversation
in my language!
Alessandra Mattioli,
Via Bergamo, 41,
24047 Treviglio (BG),
Italy.
Plenty to play for
A chairde,
y assessment of the Heads of Agreement proposals from
the two governments must be based on republicans making
up their own minds and not on the disinformation of
much of the media attempting to downplay their
non-partitionist elements. This is being done to
provoke the republican movement into leaving the talks
so as to place anti-partitionists at a disadvantage in
the negotiations.
Almost without exception the media only itemised three
bodies: North-South body; Council of the Isles; new
local assembly with devolved powers; but have chosen to
omit a fourth significant item - ``Standing
intergovernmental machinery between the Irish and
British governments covering areas of mutual interest,
including non-devolved issues for Northern Ireland,''.
``Standing'' means permanently existing as a body;
``mutual interests including non-devolved issues'' means
macro-economic policy and macro-political issues for
the Six Counties; ``devolved'' local assembly only means
a local council.
This is effectively Joint Authority, which reduces the
new local assembly to little more than a county council
(as some of the media have let slip and as Peter
Robinson of the DUP complains, despite Trimble having
to put a brave face on it).
These proposals only mention ``changes to the Irish
constitution'', they do not specifically mention
Articles Two and Three and certainly do not prescribe
any rewording.
Whilst questions remain about exactly how majorities
will be constructed on these bodies for decision-making
purposes and what their parameters are and exactly how
they will work, there is still much for Sinn Féin to
play for here.
Joe Murphy,
Birmingham
The issue is rights, not equality
A chairde,
Thank you for a commentary on `The Propositions on
Heads of Agreement' (An Phoblacht, 15 January). I would
appreciate further clarification on Sinn Féin's
disquiet with it. `A sop to unionists' did underline
that pressure and timing were important aspects in its
appearance and must be considered along with its
contents.
Throughout Sinn Féin political argument there are vague
notions. Two examples are chosen from the above article
to demonstrate.
The first is the assumption that partition has failed
nationalists, unionists, the island... The unionists so
far have no reason to believe it has failed them
otherwise the pro-union option would have little
attraction. The 26 County part of the island makes no
such claim; I think it is quite mistaken to keep on
about that. Most people in the south have no contact
with a reality called partition.
How can the article state: ``It has failed the whole
island in terms of human rights, cultural development,
economic prosperity and social instability''? It has
affected one part of the population, the nationalists
of the Six Counties. Let those most affected keep
declaring it and engaging those for whom it hardly
exists.
Unless you can argue point by point in word and
experience how the unionists and the island have been
affected and supported by statements from respective
representatives, the argument is like a hollow drum.
Which reminds me of a second notion: equality. I do not
plead to be equal; I am equal. The issue is about my
rights and not about my equality. I have political
rights: to be a full citizen of an Irish Republic. I
neither need equality nor consent.
I am not claiming my political rights on an equality
ticket: they have their own integrity and value. I
struggle in their pursuit: I may consent to
accommodation on the journey to ultimate achievement.
The consent is mine and not the majority of any other
group claiming to adjudicate on my rights.
I suggest we cut out all reference to the subservient
notion of equality and get on with our pursuit of
political rights - this is a `Human Rights Year' with
its slogan: All Human Rights for All.
M. M. McCarron.
Bloody Sunday petition
A chairde,
The 26th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday will soon be upon
us. It is a disgrace that no soldier was ever charged
with the murders and no one has ever apologised to the
relatives of the dead. I would like to draw readers
attention to the Factsheet and Petition that the Troops
Out Movement has produced with the approval of the
Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign (the relatives campaign
in Derry).
The petition calls for an independent public inquiry.
Tony Blair and his supporters have made vague
references to re-opening the case and there have been
rumours of a statement and apology being imminent. We
need to give the issue a push and turn rumours into
reality. We have been leafleting and petitioning for a
number of months now and if readers want Petitions and
Factsheets they can be obtained from the address below.
I would also appeal to readers to join the Bloody
Sunday Commemoration March calling for Peace in Ireland
through British Withdrawal on Saturday 24 January 1998,
London. Assemble 12 noon Highbury Fields. March to
Indoor Rally, Caxton House, St Johns Way, Archway.
Mary Pearson,
Troops Out Movement
PO Box 1032
Birmingham
B12 8BZ
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