Omagh bomb group must disband - IRA
Push now to fulfil potential of Good Friday document
Full text of an interview with a spokesperson from Oglaigh na
hEireann
Phoblacht: Could you outline the IRA view of the effect of the
recent bomb in Omagh and comment on the group who admitted the
bombing?
Oglaigh na hEireann: First of all, let me express our sympathy
with the families of those killed and injured in Omagh. In human
terms it was a disaster and a tragedy of enormous proportions. No
one could fail to be moved by both the suffering of the victims
of the bombing and the generosity of spirit of the families of
those killed and injured in the explosion.
The Omagh bomb has undoubtedly caused damage to the struggle for
Irish independence and unity. We suspect that this attack and
previous bomb attacks by this and other groupings have been aimed
at the peace process, in general, and at Sinn Fein's peace
strategy in particular. Irish republicans throughout the 32
counties have, both privately and publicly, made very clear their
anger at the actions of those responsible for the bomb.
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This grouping have done only disservice to the republican cause.
They have no coherent political strategy, they are not a credible
alternative to the Irish Republican Army. In the immediate
aftermath of the Omagh bomb they announced a temporary halt to
their actions. This is insufficient. They should disband and they
should do so sooner rather than later
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Phoblacht: Those who planted the bomb in Omagh have made it
clear they are not part of your organisation, why do they persist
with the claim to the title Oglaigh na hEireann?
ONH: The erroneous claim by these people to be Oglaigh na
hEireann is a good indicator of exactly what they are about and
the motivation behind their actions. Prior to their defection
they were given the opportunity at an army convention to put
their analysis to delegates elected by and representing the
entire membership of Oglaigh na hEireann. Their views on future
strategy and direction were rejected by the vast majority of
those delegates.
Having failed in what was essentially a bid for leadership this
small number of individuals then resigned from our organisation
and, in a very deliberate and calculated way, set about trying to
undermine both the duly elected leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann
and the future strategy which had been agreed and endorsed by the
army convention. Their lack of credibility among volunteers or
our support base has caused them therefore to seek to gain
legitimacy by trying to hijack the name Oglaigh na hEireann, and,
by extension, trying to put themselves and their views in the
proud tradition of 80 years of struggle. While they have failed
on both counts many republicans feel nonetheless aggrieved that
they have tarnished the name of Oglaigh na hEireann and many are
justifiably angry at their use of the term Real IRA.
This grouping have done only disservice to the republican cause.
They have no coherent political strategy, they are not a credible
alternative to the Irish Republican Army. In the immediate
aftermath of the Omagh bomb they announced a temporary halt to
their actions. This is insufficient. They should disband and they
should do so sooner rather than later.
Phoblacht:What is your assessment of the strength of this
grouping
ONH: From the outset they exaggerated their numbers and made a
succession of sensational claims as to the scale of defections,
which were picked up and promoted by some within the media.
Claims that a former Chief of Staff had defected, that entire
battalions, or GHQ departments had resigned, while all untrue,
were designed to sow confusion and dissent in IRA ranks. The
reality is they are very few in numbers and have little or no
support base, particularly in the occupied counties. They have
had little impact on Oglaigh na hEireann structures. We continue
to have well organised and disciplined membership throughout the
entire 32 counties.
Phoblacht: There have been accusations that the IRA have
supplied technology and materials to these people. How do you
respond to that?
ONH: Allegations from British securocrats and some Unionist
politicians that Oglaigh na hEireann has given material or other
assistance to this grouping are absolutely untrue. British
securocrats have intimate knowledge of the capabilities and
workings of this grouping. The accusations you refer to therefore
are quite cynical and highly hypocritical.
Arguably, actions that this grouping have carried out have been
designed and timed, not only to derail the peace process, but
also specifically to damage our struggle. It is ridiculous for
anyone to suggest we would assist them in that. What we have to
ask ourselves however is this, was it mere coincidence that at
the point in history when our struggle was at its strongest, such
seemingly reckless actions were carried out, actions which could
only have the effect of damaging our struggle? People can draw
their own conclusions on this.
The best answer to those who are obstructing the construction of
a lasting peace settlement, including those who planted the Omagh
bomb, is to move the situation forward speedily and fulfil the
existing potential for the resolution of the conflict in an
all-Ireland context
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Phoblacht: Both the British and Irish governments have
responded to the Omagh bomb by introducing legislation in their
respective parliaments which will give both the RUC and the
Gardai further emergency powers. Are you concerned at this
development?
ONH: It certainly is a matter of concern that both governments
have knee-jerked and opted for a security rather than a political
response to the Omagh massacre. Repressive legislation and
emergency powers have no place in any genuine conflict resolution
process. For example, giving more repressive powers to the RUC, a
discredited sectarian paramilitary force, is like pouring petrol
on a fire. This can only damage the potential for a democratic
peace settlement.
Phoblacht:It is over four months now since the Good Friday
Agreement. The IRA has previously described it as a significant
development. Do you still believe it contains the potential to
transform the situation?
ONH: We described the Good Friday document as a significant
development. That remains our view. We are, however, conscious of
growing concern at the slow pace of movement. Quite clearly those
within Unionism who rejected the Agreement are continuing their
attempts to subvert it. There are others who are trying to slow
the pace of progress by resurrecting old preconditions and
creating new preconditions in the hope that they can force the
governments to renegotiate the Agreement with a view to
minimising change. We still believe progress can be made, but
this depends on both governments fulfilling their commitment to
implement all aspects of the Agreement. We share, of course, the
desire of the vast majority of the Irish people to see the Good
Friday document deliver on its potential. The best answer to
those who are obstructing the construction of a lasting peace
settlement, including those who planted the Omagh bomb, is to
move the situation forward speedily and fulfil the existing
potential for the resolution of the conflict in an all-Ireland
context.
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The unbroken pursuit of our objectives is testimony to the
courage, commitment and discipline of both our volunteers and our
supporters throughout this phase of struggle. That commitment
remains intact
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Phoblacht: Despite what you have previously said about
decommissioning some Unionists continue to demand that the IRA
decommissions its weapons. What do you say to them?
ONH: We made our position absolutely clear on this in April, we
stand by that statement. As I have just said, some people are
using the decommissioning issue in support of their own narrow
agendas of subverting or securing a renegotiation of the Good
Friday document. This should not be allowed to happen.
Phoblacht: What do you say to those who are demanding the IRA
make a declaration that the war is over?
ONH: Irish history is replete with examples of the cycle of
conflict, repression-resistance-increased repression. If the
objective conditions exist for violent conflict, then such
conflict will occur. That is a fact of history. Over a year ago
we announced a cessation of military operations to facilitate the
opportunity for a democratic peace settlement. In doing so and
maintaining that cessation with great discipline we effectively
created the existing opportunity for the achievement of lasting
peace. That needs to be secured. The challenge for everyone then
is to remove the causes of conflict. Far better that people would
expend their energy on that than wasting time on word games
around whether or not someone is prepared to say the war is over.
Phoblacht: Some weeks ago the media carried reports of
imminent developments on the issue of missing bodies. Is there
any substance to these reports?
ONH: We sympathise greatly with the families whose loved ones
have disappeared in the course of the conflict over the last 30
years. We are not responsible for everyone who has gone missing
over the period.
Approximately 20 years ago the Army Council issued a directive to
volunteers that the body of anyone executed by Oglaigh na
hEireann should be left for their families. Prior to this
directive in the 1970s Oglaigh na hEireann was responsible for
the execution and burial of a small number of people. This has
caused incalcuable anguish and pain to their families. We have
committed ourselves to doing all within our power to alleviate
their suffering. Last autumn we established a special unit under
the command of one of our most senior officers tasked to
ascertain the whereabouts of these graves. A number of factors,
including the lapse of time since these incidents occurred,
changes in leadership, and the deaths of some Oglaigh na hEireann
personnel have rendered this task extremely difficult. However
the work of this unit will continue. When they have established
as complete a picture as possible surrounding these events the
relevant families will be notified immediately.
Phoblacht: How optimistic are you for the future of the
realisation of republican objectives?
ONH: We remain both optimistic and confident that we will achieve
our objectives, a united and independent Ireland, a national
democracy. Over many generations IRA volunteers have given their
lives and their personal freedom for this cause. This particular
phase of struggle has been the first which has passed unabated
over successive generations. This unbroken pursuit of our
objectives is testimony to the courage, commitment and discipline
of both our volunteers and our supporters throughout this phase
of struggle. That commitment remains intact. This year sees the
200th anniversary of the rebellion by the United Irishmen. Our
vision remains as theirs, a free, independent, sovereign Ireland,
a country where Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter stand as
equals. These have been the goals of successive generations of
republicans. These are our goals. We are committed to their
achievement.
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