Republican News · Thursday 27 March 2002

Death grip of unionist sectarianism

A Chairde,

UUP leader David Trimble has made a belligerent and provocative comparison of Sinn Féin to the Iraqi dictatorship. Mr Trimble has clearly embarked on an exit strategy from the Good Friday Agreement. This is by means of retaining its shell and ditching the content.

The GFA set up power sharing as of right in the sectarian cauldron of northern politics. Mr Trimble wants to change this indispensable aspect to power sharing by grace and favour.

It is clear that Mr Trimble's policy is the old policy of Ulster unionism, power sharing only with the 'acceptable' face of Irish nationalism. The Agreement made Ulster Unionists an offer they could not refuse - accept representative republican opinion in government or face rule under joint Irish-British authority at a minimum.

Since the signing of the Agreement, the UUP has been permitted to unpick elements and to tack on new bits. For example, where once IRA cooperation with the de Chastelain Commission was a UUP requirement, it is now in the unionist wastebasket. Currently the ridiculous 'sanctions' proposals are a so-called Trimble "deal breaker".

The demand for IRA disbandment is currently an impossible dream. There is one main reason: perceptually for nationalists it may presage turning a slow burning unionist paramilitary pogrom into a full-blown nightmare. During the past number of years unionist paramilitaries have engaged in a sustained campaign of killing, maiming and general low-level attack on the nationalist population. Its most public manifestation was the politically Neanderthal Holy Cross blockade, the Harryville anti-mass protest and the annual carnival of sectarian Orange marches.

Instead of coming out and clearly condemning sectarian attacks and the naked anti-papist' hatred emanating from within unionism, various elements of the UUP, including Mr Trimble, have become apologists. Space limitations preclude itemising the various incidents, but the clearly absurd claim (dismissed by the PSNI) by Jim Rodgers, UUP Chair of the Belfast District Policing Partnership, last October that nationalists were pipe and blast bombing themselves is only one example. He said unionist paramilitaries should stop attacking each other because it was republicans who "should be under pressure".

The UUP is in rapid retreat into the paranoid (un)certainties of the past. Rescuing this Agreement means rescuing it from the death grip of unionist sectarianism. It requires that the governments deliver Mr Trimble and the unionists a dose of reality similar to the one received prior to the signing of the Agreement. Unfortunately, Mr Trimble's petulant demands have been indulged.

Disaster looms if the current course of events are allowed to run the Agreement into the sand.

Mick Finnegan,
Cabra,
Dublin

Stop Spanish fascism

A Chairde,

2002 is gone and it left us, the Basques, with nothing else than more pain and more suffering. 2002 is gone and there are more Basque political prisoners than ever before, numbering a total 650. Through 2002, we have seen the spanish iron hand closing its fist stronger than ever over our small country. In doing so, the spanish government was not alone; the french government came to its aid whenever they needed, mainly extraditing Basque POWs, even when there was a great risk for them of being tortured while under spanish custody.

23,655 military and policemen to the service of both states were responsible of the nearly 3,000 military-styled checkpoints located all over our country and the searching of 300 Basque homes and premises. Through the past year spanish/french/basque police corpses arrested 634 Basques and 127 out of them suffered torture while in custody.

But this is not enough for both states and they banned 52 marches and rallies, that's their new policy. They try to keep our messages out of our streets but they'll not get it. Prove of it are the 311 people arrested during demonstrations and the 147 injured during the said demonstrations.

But the states we are living under do not know of measures and have taken another step in their repression: two more organisations were banned in 2002 (a youth independentist group and the POWs support group that came to substitute those already banned in 2001). So, what can we say about freedom of speech for us, Basques? It simply does not exist or at least that's what they are trying to, and to be honest hard they try.

d if 2002 was a hard year for us we can say 2003 will be even harder. After only two and a half months of the new year we have seen, among many others, massive raids which amounted 34 arrests in a fortnight, the closure of the only Basque language daily paper EGUNKARIA, and Batasuna, our legal political party is due to be banned before the local elections which are to be held in May.

But if 2002 left us pain and suffering it also brought us more determination and courage to get our goals. Through history, the Basques have many times heard they/we were conquered. Well, they were not and we will not. We will show the spanish and french the same resistance our ancestors showed to other foreign invaders such as Romans, Arabs, Goths...

I would also like to finish this wee letter by sending the best of my regards to all my friends in the Six Counties.

GDM
Spanish-occupied Basque Country

Unethical foreign policy

A Chairde,

Is it not time for some plain speaking from the leaders of this state regarding its attitude to the war on Iraq? Its view on the use of Shannon and Baldonnel by US troops would hardly seem to indicate a neutral stance on this war.

We have been told that it has been government policy for years to allow foreign troop overflights and landings "as long as they weren't part of any military operation". Are we expected to believe that all those uniformed, heavily equipped occupants of US military aircraft bound for the Gulf are on their way through Shannon to a fancy dress party?

It is not known if Ireland is a member of the US 50-strong coalition of the willing offering support for the war on Iraq. Brian Cowen's department denies this - but then since when have the present government enjoyed a reputation for transparency?

Bertie Ahern insisted that not taking a pro or anti stance in the EU arena of arguments was the right decision. He likes to be seen as the "honest broker". Well Bertie, when someone sits on the fence for too long, we can be sure that it has more to do with stopping themselves falling off, than any concern about the consequences that may befall those on either side. This government's capacity for self-preservation at the expense of people and principle is notorious.

In the belated Dáil debate last week, An Tánaiste sounded remarkably "gung-ho" speaking of US friendship and their "need" for our support. Genuine friendship between nations is brought about through ongoing, open, dialogue and discourse leading to eventual mutual trust and respect - not on a "you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-your-back" basis. As with interpersonal relationships, sometimes some painful truths have to be faced and dealt with. A good relationship can - and should - survive this. This does not indicate anti-Americanism; this war was instigated by George Bush and his White House cronies, not the American man or woman in the street.

Yet, speaking from the upholstered confines of Brussels, An Taoiseach claimed that he did not know if the Iraqi war was morally or legally justified; "only time will tell". But surely Mr Ahern didn't thousands of people tell you on 15 February, and ever since? Not only in Ireland, but all over the free world, people political and non-political, have spoken out loudly that this war is unwanted, unjustified and unethical. The government can be in no doubt about the feelings of the vast majority of people on this island.

The Ahern/Harney/Cowen triumvirate should be showing real leadership by maintaining absolutely Ireland's stated policy of neutrality. They should not be facilitating Bush's warmongering by the current open-house policy at Shannon.

Remember, Bertie, if we are talking morals, doing the right thing sometimes causes a bit of discomfort to the doer. Which is maybe why our government seldom takes the right course.

Carol-Mary Fraser
Clontibret
Co Monaghan

Maternity Matters March

A Chairde,

I am writing to you about the planned closure of over 50 per cent of Ireland's maternity units, as recommended by the Medical Manpower Forum. The National Birth Alliance is organising a "Maternity Matters" March in Dublin on Saturday 5 April to protest against these cuts, and to highlight the need for better maternity care for mothers and babies. We would very much welcome your support on this march.

These maternity cuts are part of an overall plan to "regionalise" hospital services, downgrading many general hospitals outside Dublin, according to recent media reports. Cuts in vital services such as accident and emergency in many of these, and other, hospitals have already been proposed by the Royal College of Surgeons. It has now emerged that all specialist hospitals are to close, including Dublin's main maternity hospitals. All are to be "relocated" onto acute hospital sites.

Maternity hospitals and units targeted for closure include Holles Street, the Coombe, Rotunda, Ballinasloe, Tralee, Kilkenny, Wexford, Clonmel, Portlaoise, Mullingar. Other units, as yet unidentified, may also close. These cuts will reduce accessible maternity beds by at least one third in two years.

The National Birth Alliance believes that no mother should have to travel long distances during pregnancy and in labour to access the services for her care. The tragic case of a young Monaghan mother, which made national headlines last Christmas, graphically illustrates the dangers to mothers and babies of centralising maternity care. Ms Denise Livingstone gave birth at the side of the road, en route to Cavan Hospital from Monaghan. Her premature daughter later died. Monaghan's maternity unit closed in 2001, as did Dundalk's.

The National Birth Alliance, a broad coalition of mothers, midwives, fathers, citizens, voluntary groups, and other health professionals, is committed to fighting these closures. Our Maternity Matters March will be a family day out, with face painting, clowns, and music making it an enjoyable day for all. So mothers, fathers, babies, buggies and concerned citizens are all welcome!

The march will begin at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, on Saturday 5 April at 2pm, finishing at Upper Merrion Street. There, speakers will highlight the dangers of the proposed closures, showing how these proposals threaten the health of mothers and babies.

The Alliance appeals for your support in our campaign for a safer, more equitable, and more accessible system of maternity care. You can help us today by emailing this message to friends and colleagues. If you would like general posters or leaflets for your local shop/post office, supermarket, church, school, community hall, GP's surgery, playschool, please contact us and we will forward them immediately. Finally, we hope that you will march with us on Mother's Day, to give the government a strong signal from the citizens of Ireland, saying "No more maternity closures".

You may contact us by telephone on 01-8388168; 087-2900017, or visit our website at www.maternitymatters.net for local posters and leaflets for printing, and other information.

Philomena Canning
National Birth Alliance
86 Loreto Avenue
Rathfarnham
Dublin 14

Why we oppose this war

A Chairde,

The opposition to war on Iraq is not a party political issue. It is not even a radical issue. People of all political perspectives and none have voiced concerns. This opposition transcends the traditional political and sectarian divisions which exist in this part of the world. The recent marches in Belfast and Dublin for example, saw thousands of ordinary people from all races, creeds and political perspectives come together in a united effort to get Bush and Blair to think again.

Nor can the Stop the War on Iraq campaign be accused of supporting the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. Besides concern for the plight of Iraqi citizens, it is the motivations for such a war and the hypocrisy around these that affect people. This war has nothing to do with a war against the perpetrators of 9/11. It is widely accepted that Saddam is actually hostile to Osama Bin Laden. This war has nothing to do with promoting democracy in the Middle East. If it were, the US would not be planning to introduce a military regime and occupation after the war and it would be setting its sights on other non-democratic regimes in the region. This war is also not about the violation of UN resolutions and human rights abuses. If it were, the US would also be directing attention towards Israel and Turkey, two of its greatest allies in the region.

There can be no doubt that preparations for the war were decided upon in advance, regardless of UN resolution 1441 and the work of the UN inspectors and regardless of the accommodating measures taken by Iraq in the face of UN demands. It has become increasingly obvious that the planned war will pursue the military aims of gaining control of a strategic area, oil and markets.

It is, at the same time, an attempt by the US government to overcome its economic crisis and solve its problems at home at the expense of others.

The war will result in huge losses among the Iraqi people, who have already suffered severe hardships as a result of years of embargo, air strikes and Saddam Hussein's regime.

It poses a huge threat to international peace and the system of international law and creates a precedent for other arbitrary acts of aggression.

It is for these reasons that Sinn Féin and many millions of people throughout the world oppose this war and will continue to do so.

Cllr. Paul Butler
Lisburn

Editorial sauce Irish Times style

Note: The Irish Times has been refusing to publish letters or reports about unionist paramilitary violence. It has seen fit to condemn the silent guns of republicans. If the Irish Times want republicans to listen to its editorial voice, then it will have to close the ever growing credidility gap surrounding its northern coverage. An Phoblacht is allowing readers to see for themselves what the Irish Times so far refuses to publish.

Madam,

Your one sided editorial (March 25th, "Iraqi goose and Northern gander") with its peremptory instruction to "Sinn Fein and the IRA to prove that the war is finally over" had its answer from a curious source on the same page. I refer to Kevin Myers' excellent account of the life and times of UDA 'brigadier' Davy Payne, who literally sliced and diced his way through the nearest available Roman Catholic victims - and Protestants who associated with 'Taigs' - during the course of the troubles. Payne's 'Romper Room' torture chamber was the UDA equivalent of the UVF's Shankill Butchers.

I would merely attempt to update Kevin Myers' account with recently published evidence from the PSNI that over the past three years unionist paramilitaries launched over 500 pipe bomb attacks on nationalists. This does not include blast bomb attacks, beatings and killings and sustained attacks on nationalist areas such as the Short strand and near Larne. In Antrim, it is estimated that over 2,000 nationalists have been forced out of their homes by these attacks. Alongside the killing of Roman Catholic Postmen and taxi drivers there have been killings of Protestants by "mistake". Recently evidence was heard in court of an alleged perpetrator celebrating that he had "killed a Taig" who was beaten to death. In fact the victim was an unfortunate Protestant. It is un-remarked upon but still surely remarkable that within unionist political and paramilitary culture, mainly through orangeism, a Roman Catholic is largely seen as a threat or a target. The political sons and daughters of Davy Paine are alive and flourishing in unionist political and paramilitary culture.

For unionist paramilitaries the war is not only not over it is ongoing. Myers wrote of "security policies of the British and Stormont government" allowing unionist paramilitary groups free reign in the early 1970s. In the light of the above evidence, it would appear that they are still owed a degree of latitude for their sectarian hate campaign.

Recently, with much media fanfare before the recent talks in Belfast, the UDA announced a 12-month paramilitary cessation. This was followed by a largely unreported continuance of pipe bomb and arson attacks.

The Irish Times shares with Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson (Irish Times March 24th) a concern over alleged Provisional IRA weapons found in Belfast on Saturday. The Irish Times and Mr Donaldson also appear to share an almost total unconcern with the ongoing activities of the loyalist paramilitaries. Between silent republican guns and ongoing loyalist violence, there is no contest, it would appear.

To borrow a phrase, what is sauce for the republican goose should be sauce for the Unionist paramilitary gander. Perhaps the Irish Times cold pour some cold editorial sauce on the nature of unionist sectarianism - and its responsibility for the perpetuation of a view in which weapons of destruction are seen as necessary weapons of defence. The responsibility of British policy for the politics of the unionist bullyboy might also be a fit item for investigations.

Otherwise, why should republicans or nationalists listen to the one-sided Irish Times? Editorial authority should be earned, not assumed.

Yours sincerely,

Mick Finnegan
53 Bannow Road Cabra
Dublin 7

Unfair Revenue?

A Chairde,

As the so-called Celtic Tiger economy has shown decided signs of faltering in recent times, perhaps even entering a period of recession, the age-old bane of Irish society - unemployment - has again begun to raise its ugly head.

In such circumstances, therefore, it would appear to most sensible economists that the government should be attempting to encourage that sector of the economy that provides the lion share of employment opportunities - namely the small to medium businesses - to maintain as much as possible their staff numbers at current levels. In attempting to do this in such adverse trading conditions as prevail at present, many such companies have fallen behind in contributions to the Revenue Commissioners, a most unfortunate but wholly understandable situation given the circumstances.

Instead of alleviating the burden on such unwilling defaulters so that jobs could be maintained, the government has instead entrusted the collection of tax arrears to what can only be described as licensed extortionists. The Revenue Sheriffs, as they are euphemistically known, employ tactics and methods first utilised by one Alfonse Capone and his henchmen in the southside of Chicago during the 1920s. Private homes are invaded and ransacked, innocent family members are harassed and decent people are hounded and intimidated, for no better reason than the fact that their lives have been affected by the ongoing global recession.

The saddest fact of all about the misery that ensues from the activities of the revenue Sheriffs and their hirelings is that it is as counterproductive as it is reprehensible. The first, and usually inevitable, action of anyone falling foul of these government authorised bandits is to lay off most, if not all, of their employees and/or liquidate their assets and curtail their business activities to meet the extortionate demands made upon them. Thus, many formerly employed tax-paying individuals become unemployed burdens on the state, and the wealth-creating business sector contracts and consequently limits the potential, not only for the future tax revenue, but also the possibility of recovering any tax arrears.

Moreover, it should be noted that as a perk of the job these revenue sheriffs are entitled to retain for 12 calendar months any outstanding tax arrears they manage to extort from those unfortunate enough to fall foul of the system. Thus, the state's current budget deficit is denied much needed revenue for any one year just when it needs it most.

Tom Dignam,
Ballybofey,
Co. Donegal