ComradeFoster Senior Member Gerry Fitt member is offline
"Most of our imports come from overseas!!!!" George Dubya Bush
Joined: Jan 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 479 Location: Belfast Karma: 5
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #4 Today at 12:01pm »
I can understand the hurt that some people are feeling about this move by the INLA. But I can not understand it coming from people who have over the years called on the INLA to disband and are now saying they should not have done it. I find their words hollow to say the least. For RSF to have come out with the statement they did shows how far re-moved they are from the political world we live in today. Just read the thread "Under-mind and absorb" and see how the INLA prisoners and their families were treated by these Super Provo's who now say they are traitors. They did not accept the right of the RSM to exist and did everything in their power to under mind the Movement, so why do they have a problem with the INLA now? To members of the Movement all I can say is this, the work of re-organising the Party has to be completed, policies and an action plan sorted and members of the Movement get stuck into the hard work ahead, and it will be hard work. The Movement, through Teach Na Failte, has been over the years working with and with-in the Protestant/Unionist community. This work is not just with former Loyalist prisoners, we have engaged with community, church, youth, resident and womens groups. I could name them all, but some people would not believe just how much we are involved in, and with such a wide spectrum of people from the Protestant/Unionist community. This work is vital if we, as Republican Socialist, are to remain true to the reasons we exist, the unity of the working class on this island and to set up a system that does not favour the few, but looks after all the people of the island equally. We need to take out the biggest weapon that the so-called elite have, religious separation of the working class in the North. The INLA made a massive to step in helping that policy.
“If you remove the English Army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle., unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts will be in vain. England will still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers" (James Connolly 1897)
Joined: Jun 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 635 Karma: 18
Tribute to Denis, Wind of Freedom « Result #6 Today at 10:59am »
of course with the highest and deepest respect and sympathy to Murphys clann and close friends.
this is only one thing...but i want to pay a very simple and modest tribute to Denis with this words:
"I`m shaken by my fellings as a tree is shaken by the storm.
I know that in this life i won`t listen to your laugh anymore i know that i won`t have a another walk with you in Dublin streets.
I don`t need cars, expensive clothes or other stuff, for me being with you was always a pleasure and your conversation the best treasure, because, Dennis, you were a fine diamond one of the best persons i ever meet.
I remember the words you said me one day. apart, i know what your would say to us right now "keep firm, stay straight"
No worries Dennis, even the pain is so deep and big I won`t break... Tiocfaidh ár lá!
Yes, Our day will come dear Denis, and we will hoist the tricolor and the red flag, our day will come, our People and nations will be free again...
And in that day when Justice will win victory will be dedicated to you and people like you with fellings and the highest respect.
The other night you went to the North, where the rebels rest.
The other night a good son of Ireland passed away... the Starry Plough was more bright.
Now you are there with your bro, comrades and friends... say hello to my grandda and to Connolly as well.
Dear Denis, you well deserve the rest, and of course you will do in the best place.
Selfish and painfull fellings of missing you will be for long is true, but no worries Denis, won`t stop the fight for the freedoms cause.
Imperialist and free staters have lost an important enemy, is true, but...don`t laugh bastards! his fighting spirit is with us.
Denis Murphy sowed rebel seeds in us seeds of freedom, justice that will grow strong up to the sky.
Denis Murphy will be honor by our actions, denis will be in our memories, denis is wind of freedom!!
and bastards, our lost is big, as big is the pain but remembering Denis makes our desire of justice stronger, and the red fire of liberty of our souls bigger, that fire that will burn you and the chains of oppresion and slavery.
Dear Denis, will keep your memory with love and pride and of course we will keep your noble fight, no traitors, no enemies won`t beat or stop us.
Dear Denis you will be proud of us, we`ll keep loyal to the struggle we`ll keep the path till Victory, and then, when the day we`ll meet there, we will celebrate and we`ll laugh again."
DENIS MURPHY, YOU`LL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN YOU ARE WIND OF FREEDOM
BEIR BUA!!
IRELAND UNITED AND FREE!
FOR A 32 COUNTIES DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIALIST IRISH REPUBLIC
I'm with you 100% workersrepublic32, Connolly's full quote is "The odds are a thousand to one against us, but in the event of victory, hold onto your rifles, as those with whom we are fighting may stop before our goal is reached."
The INLA didn’t achieve the 32 county socialist democratic republic volunteers fought and died for. IMO this move has made the RSM as irrelevant to the working class as the SDLP or Fianna Fáil are.
Why is that? By the same logic, the armed groups (C/RIRA) are the most relevant to the working class as they have some rifles.
Since when has the Continuity or Real’s claimed to represent the working class?
There can never be peace in Ireland until the foreign, oppresive British presence is removed, leaving all the Irish people as a unit to control their own affairs and determine their own destinies as a sovereign people, free in mind and body, seperate and distinct physically, culturally and economically - Vol Bobby Sands, 1954 - 1981
Here is a post by Mike Ely of the Kasama Project in the US as to why it is important to support the revolutionary movement in Nepal.
Eyes on the Maobadi: 4 Reasons Nepal’s Revolution Matters By Mike Ely
Something remarkable is happening. A whole generation of people has never seen a radical, secular, revolutionary movement rise with popular support. And yet here it is – in Nepal today.
This movement has overthrown Nepal’s hated King Gyanendra and abolished the medieval monarchy. It has created a revolutionary army that now squares off with the old King’s army. It has built parallel political power in remote rural areas over a decade of guerrilla war – undermining feudal traditions like the caste system. It has gathered broad popular support and emerged as the leading force of an unprecedented Constituent Assembly (CA). And it has done all this under the radical banner of Maoist communism — advocating a fresh attempt at socialism and a classless society around the world.
People in Nepal call these revolutionaries the Maobadi.
Another remarkable thing is the silence surrounding all this. There has been very little reporting about the intense moments now unfolding in Nepal, or about the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) that stand at their center. Meanwhile, the nearby Tibetan uprisings against abuses by China’s government got non-stop coverage.
There are obvious reasons for this silence. The Western media isn’t thrilled when people in one of the world’s poorest countries throw their support behind one of the world’s most radical movements.
But clearly many alternative news sources don’t quite know what to make of the Nepali revolution. The Maobadi’s mix of communist goals and non-dogmatic methods disturb a lot of leftist assumptions too. When the CPN(Maoist) launched an armed uprising in 1996, some people thought these were outdated tactics. When the CPN(Maoist) suspended armed combat in 2006 and entered an anti-monarchist coalition government, some people assumed they would lose their identity to a corrupt cabal. When the Maoists press their current anti-feudal program, some people think they are forgetting about socialism.
But silent skepticism is a wrong approach. The world needs to be watching Nepal. The stunning Maoist victory in the April elections was not, yet, the decisive victory over conservative forces. The Maobadi are at the center of the political staqe but they have not yet defeated or dismantled the old government’s army. New tests of strength lie ahead.
The Maoists of Nepal aren’t just a opposition movement any more – they are tackling the very different problems of leading a society through a process of radical change. They are maneuvering hard to avoid a sudden crushing defeat at the hands of powerful armies. As a result, the Maobadi of Nepal are carrying out tactics for isolating their internal rivals, broadening their appeal, and neutralizing external enemies.
All this looks bewildering seen up close. This world has been through a long, heartless stretch without much radicalism or revolution. Most people have never seen what it looks like when a popular communist revolution reaches for power.
Let’s break the silence by listing four reasons for looking closely at Nepal. Reason #1: Here are communists who have discarded rigid thinking, but not their radicalism.
Leaders of the CPN(Maoist) say they protect the living revolution “from the revolutionary phrases we used to memorize.”
The Maobadi took a fresh and painstakingly detailed look at their society. They identified which conditions and forces imposed the horrific poverty on the people. They developed creative methods for connecting deeply with the discontent and highest hopes of people. They have generated great and growing influence over the last fifteen years.
To get to the brink of power, this movement fused and alternated different forms of struggle. They started with a great organizing drive, followed by launching a guerrilla war in 1996, and then entering negotiations in 2006. They created new revolutionary governments in remote base areas over ten years, and followed up with a political offensive to win over new urban support. They have won victory in the special election in April, and challenged their foot-dragging opponents by threatening to launching mass mobilizations in the period ahead. They reached out broadly, without abandoning their armed forces or their independent course.
The Maobadi say they have the courage “to climb the unexplored mountain.” They insist that communism needs to be reconceived. They believe popular accountability may prevent the emergence of arrogant new elites. They reject the one-party state and call for a socialist process with multi-party elections. They question whether a standing army will serve a new Nepal well, and advocate a system of popular militias. And they want to avoid concentrating their hopes in one or two leaders-for-life, but instead will empower a rising new generation of revolutionary successors.
Nepal is in that bottom tier of countries called the “fourth world” – most people there suffer in utter poverty. It is a world away from the developed West, and naturally the political solutions of the Nepali Maoists’ may not apply directly to countries like the U.S. or Britain. But can’t we learn from the freshness they bring to this changing world?
Will their reconception of communism succeed? It is still impossible to know. But their attempt itself already has much to teach.
Reason #2: Imagine Nepal as a Fuse Igniting India
Nepal is such a marginalized backwater that it is hard to imagine its politics having impact outside its own borders. The country is poor, landlocked, remote and only the size of Arkansas. Its 30 million people live pressed between the world’s most populous giants, China and India.
But then consider what Nepal’s revolution might mean for a billion people in nearby India.
A new Nepal would have a long open border with some of India’s most impoverished areas. Maoist armed struggle has smoldered in those northern Indian states for decades – with roots among Indian dirt farmers. Conservative analysts sometimes speak of a “red corridor” of Maoist-Naxalite guerrilla zones running through central India, north to south, from the Nepali border toward the southern tip.
Understanding the possibilities, Nepal’s Maobadi made a bold proposal: that the revolutionary movements across South Asia should consider merging their countries after overthrowing their governments and creating a common regional federation. The Maobadi helped form the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organizations of South Asia (CCOMPOSA) in 2001, which brought together ten different revolutionary groupings from throughout the region.
A future revolutionary government in Nepal will have a hard time surviving alongside a hostile India. It could face demands, crippling embargos and perhaps even invasion. But at the very same time, such a revolution could serve as an inspiration and a base area for revolution in that whole region. It could impact the world. Reason #3: Nepal shows that a new, radically better world is possible.
Marx once remarked that the revolution burrows unseen underground and then bursts into view to cheers of “Well dug, old mole!”
We have all been told that radical social change is impossible. Rebellion against this dominant world order has often seemed marked by backward-looking politics, xenophobia, lowered sights and Jihadism. And yet, here comes that old mole popping up in Nepal — offering a startling glimpse of how people can transform themselves and their world.
Some of the world’s poorest and most oppressed people have set out in the Nepali highlands to remake everything around them — through armed struggle, political power, and collective labor. Farming people, who are often half-starved and illiterate have formed peoples courts and early agricultural communes. Wife beating and child marriage are being challenged. Young men and women have joined the revolutionary army to defeat their oppressors. There is defiance of arranged marriage and a blossoming of “love matches,” even between people of different castes. There is a rejection of religious bigotry and the traditions of a Hindu monarchy. The 40 ethnic groups of Nepal are negotiating new relations based on equality and a sharing of political power.
All this is like a wonderful scent upon the wind. You are afraid to turn away, unless it might suddenly disappear.
Reason #4: When people dare to make revolution – they must not stand alone.
These changes would have been unthinkable, if the CPN(Maoist) had not dared to launch a revolutionary war in 1996. And their political plan became reality because growing numbers of people dared to throw their lives into the effort. It is hard to exaggerate the hope and courage that has gripped people.
Events may ultimately roll against those hopes. This revolution in Nepal may yet be crushed or even betrayed from within. Such dangers are inherent and inevitable in living revolutions.
If the Maobadi pursue new leaps in their revolutionary process, they will likely face continuing attacks from India, backed by the U.S. The CPN(Maoist) has long been (falsely!) labeled “terrorists” by the U.S. government. They are portrayed as village bullies and exploiters of child-soldiers by some human rights organizations. Western powers have armed Nepal’s pro-royal National army with modern weapons. A conservative mass movement in Nepal’s fertile Terai agricultural area has been encouraged by India and Hindu fundamentalists.
Someone needs to spread the word of what is actually going on. It would be intolerable if U.S.-backed destabilization and suppression went unopposed in the U.S. itself.
Here it is: A little-known revolution in Nepal.
Who will we tell about it? What will we learn from it? What will we do about it?
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 270 Location: Siceagó Karma: 14
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #11 Today at 3:12am »
Quote:
I look at arms much like running in elections, they are tactics to be used when it is proficient to do so.
I agree they are both tactics to be used when necessary, but we can decided to run in an election whenever (btw when was the last time?). But with the arms, they were given up and destroyed, gone forever. All that needed to be done was to dump arms and put them under lock and key. I am not going to comment on how the INLA was standing in the way of working class support for our movement, as I am not on the ground over there to see for myself, but I think we damaged our credibility by doing this, hopefully it can be repaired.
"The republic stands for truth and honour. For that is the noblest in our race. By truth and honour, principle and sacrifice alone will Ireland be free" - Liam Mellows
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #12 Today at 3:00am »
Comrade- Your post above is probably the most intelligent and well written and well argued thing I have ever read on this Forum, and very possibly anywhere else for that matter on this subject.. Congratulations, and I mean it sincerely. However, despite all that I am not arguing about some metaphysical force whch makes retention of arms necessary. I am talikng about the very real retention of principles and politics, and the very real retention of arms should they ever (and may that never be the case) be needed. No, I fear that despite all your good arguments that the reality of human nature is that the IRSP will soon be as irrelevant to the lives of the Irish Working Class and the cause of Irish Freedom and unity as are Sinn Fein and the WP. Sorry, my friend, but that is what I believe. I believe it because I have been through it all before. Good luck to all of us, we will need it. But all is not lost...it never has been before and is not now.
Are you all completely mad!? Where have you heard all this drivel about "building a new Party".."reaching out to the Working Class"."creating a broad based resistance" etc. before. You have heard it from the WP, from the Provos. Where did they go with it? Same place you will go...right into partnership with British Imperialism and International Capitalism! I am not in favour an an armed struggle at this time...maybe never. That is not the point. Surrender is the point. You know as well as I do that the INLA did not give up its weapons out of the goodness of their hearts...they got something for it. What I do not know, but I know it is nothing good for the Irish Working Class or the casue of Irish Unity. It is not the number or the age of the weapons in question that is important, nor the liklihood that they will ever be used again, which I would say is about nil, but those weapons in their own way represented the right of the Irish People to defend themselves from aggression and/or strike for their freedon should they wish. Someone mentioned "replacing the outdated arsenal," or words to that effect, quickly. You have obviously never tried to accquire arms! It is dangerous and difficult under the best of conditions, and in the world of today is much more dangerous and difficult. Many men and women gave their lives and/or freedom to get them in the first place. Those antiquated weapons are better than bugger all when the Loyalists come swooping down out of Shankill. Don't give me any old jaw about "IRA = I Ran Away". Nobody ran away. Not Billy McMillan, not Joe McCann, not Frankie Cards, not Jim Sullivan...nobody. Least of all Gerald McAuley shot down while defending his neighbours. They had only a few old weapons, but the USED them. They may not have had the desired effect, but what effect will NO weapons have? Well, now we can all be numbered defeated togehter, Provo, Stick and Erp. No more crowing from you all. Answer me this...what "undefeated army" ever destroyed its weapons in the face of the enemy while they remain armed and in action? Laugh at CIRA and RIRA all you want. They may be a shower of ineffectual, tradition- bound right- wing throwbacks, but they are not defeated. Not yet, anyway, but I reckon the Brits will find their price in time. Today I hang my head in shame.
Chara while I understand where you are coming from I think your post exemplifies a common misconception that is often held by Republicans, and that is the elevation of the retention of arms as a principal of resistance. This is simply not the case. I look at arms much like running in elections, they are tactics to be used when it is proficient to do so. I don't hear as much outrage from people when the IRSP don't run in an election, even though this could be contrued as neglecting to fight on behalf of the class we claim to represent, because Republicanism over the years has developed a misguided analysis around arms that place them out of their true context.
You gave the example of the sticks as comparable to this move by the INLA, this just doesn't make sense. I mean the sticks were reformist a long long time before they ever gave up a bullet, they have been reformist since the early 70s with their arms so how is this move comparable, it simply isn't. And I don't accept the provo comparison either because the politics of the IRSP and the sticks and shinners just cannot be reconciled, they are different animals altogether. The sticks in fact have proved that the existence of an armed wing in itself is not revolutionary, more important than the guns are the idea behind them. The IRSP's ideas have not changed with this recent INLA announcement, there is no parliamentary road to socialism.
All this talk of 'symbolism' and 'principals' and such things are not tanglible arguments for me, for me it is extremely straight forward, what is good for the advancement of the working class in Ireland must be done. Lenin was one man who scoffed at defunct notions of purist politics, much like the likes of RSF and the anarchist movement espouse. Very easy to talk the talk from the sidelines and remain irrelevent until your organisation ultimately disintegrates. I am not talking about abandoning the politics or goals of the party, far far from it. I am talking about going down the most effective route to achieve those goals. The reality is that the reputation of the INLA greatly impinged on the advancement of working class politics in Ireland, particularly in the South. The INLA could have gone back to war or retained arms and kept all the traditionalists happy, but that would impinge on the progress of Republican Socialism in Ireland at this point so you get what I mean about this 'symbolism', it cannot get in the way of the struggle. In an ideal situation the INLA would be active, carrying out socialist operations and helping the IRSP rally the workers, but I think this decision possibly was heads ruling hearts. Such things under the current conditions are most likely just not possible, and the IRSM has enough young men in Portlaoise. This of course has been a PR nightmare for the IRSP and thus impinged on the spreading of the politics of Connolly and Costello.
By no means will this move in isolation make the IRSP relevant overnight, far, far from it. But what it does do is open up avenues for the party previously closed, these avenues included the most important thing of all, the reception of our politics by the working class themselves. Because of the INLA's reputation in the 26 especially working people would not even listen to the IRSP's politics, let alone take them seriously. And at the end of the day the INLA was never going to free Ireland, the only way to free Ireland is through a class conscious and mobilised working class demanding what is rightfully theirs. So if the INLA was standing in the way of this process at this juncture surely there is an argument for this move. Without the workers there will be no revolution after all. Costello once said 'I owe my allegiance to the working class', and not a particular body or group. What is in the ultimate interests of our class must come first, and sometimes emotive and difficult decisions may have to be made. The IRSP has to be relevant.
With this door open and the workers more receptive to the politics of the IRSP, it is up to the IRSP to step up to the plate and take advantage of the situation in front of them. The INLA going away will not make the party relevant, in the end it will be hard work and nothing else.
This is not a deviation from the politics of the movement, and when a revolutionary situation is developed and the workers are there at our side, then by all means get the guns out. What we need to concentrate on now, is bringing those workers to our side.
Re: INLA decommissioning confirmed « Result #14 Today at 2:21am »
Comrades, As a stateside lurker, I greatly appreciate the board but don't usually post. Today though I posted the statement from the INLA on several forums with the following introduction . Even the revolutionary sites I post to are generally uniformed to clueless about history of struggle in Ireland. This was my small effort to educate them.
>The Irish National Liberation Army issued a statement today confirming that they have decommissioned their arms >and thus the process of their dissolution announced last October has been completed. For most people here this is >probably of little interest but for anyone who lived through that era and has remained tied to Eire by personal >history, it is profoundly significant. For myself it brought back the many memories of hope, anger and sorrow evoked >by the rising against the Unionist dictatorship in the six counties. More than anything else I remember the moving >example of Protestants Ronnie Bunting and Noel Lyttle, who crossed the bitter sectarian divide to fight for a united, >socialist Ireland as volunteers in the INLA. As a young person in a family descended form Ulster Protestants, it was >these comrades example that caused me to break from the years of bigotry and prejudice I had been brought up in >and showed me it was only through socialism that liberation will truly come.
>For those on the list accustomed to flame first and think later, spare me the denunciations of the INLA for the >brutality of that long war. I know about all the horrible things done as well as all the horrible things they were >blamed for. I also know why the volunteers took up those weapons. I know why they sacrificed everything and how >much suffering they and their families endured. Most importantly I know the vision of comrades such as Seamus >Costello, Miriam Daily, Ta Power, Patsy O’Hara, Kevin Lynch, Mickey Devine , and Gino Gallagher. The young men >then would be my age now had they not given everything for the working class of Ireland. I thought about all of >them today.
>Patsy O'Hara died on 21 May 1981 after 61 days of a hunger strike. was the This is what it looked like the day he >was laid to rest. >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_nSzGCliCs
Re: Death of Thoms Mac Giolla « Result #15 Today at 2:03am »
I must admit, Comrade, that I really do not have the will for this debate today, given today's announcements. I will only say that many hard and bad things were done and said in those days by everyone involved. I would have to check my old UI issues in the filing cabinet to be sure exacty what MacGiolla said. As to the rest of us, none of us was too hapy with Seamus, especially after Billy McMillan was shot dead in fron of his wife, nor Sean Garland grievously wounded. As Brendan Behan might have said" "We would have said Mass had we known Latin." The bottom line is, we were all bloody fools...bloody fools in both the literal and slang sense. It is time for all of us to get over all this, especially in light of today's announcements. There must be enough of us out there who are still real Republican Socialists that we can put the past behind us and unite in building a new way forward. That is not "Revisionism" That is "Reality". Slan
Here's an interesting one for you comrade, now if I said this you would advise a few days away from conspiratorial websites but the fact that Hugo said it how do you feel lol? (All in good humour of course)
though that's total BS, i'd say that the USA and Russia for that matter would have a weapon that can cause an earthquake. But i'd very much doubt that they'd use it for that capability.
sure even the chinese can make it snow in the summer....
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #17 Today at 1:46am »
Are you all completely mad!? Where have you heard all this drivel about "building a new Party".."reaching out to the Working Class"."creating a broad based resistance" etc. before. You have heard it from the WP, from the Provos. Where did they go with it? Same place you will go...right into partnership with British Imperialism and International Capitalism! I am not in favour an an armed struggle at this time...maybe never. That is not the point. Surrender is the point. You know as well as I do that the INLA did not give up its weapons out of the goodness of their hearts...they got something for it. What I do not know, but I know it is nothing good for the Irish Working Class or the casue of Irish Unity. It is not the number or the age of the weapons in question that is important, nor the liklihood that they will ever be used again, which I would say is about nil, but those weapons in their own way represented the right of the Irish People to defend themselves from aggression and/or strike for their freedon should they wish. Someone mentioned "replacing the outdated arsenal," or words to that effect, quickly. You have obviously never tried to accquire arms! It is dangerous and difficult under the best of conditions, and in the world of today is much more dangerous and difficult. Many men and women gave their lives and/or freedom to get them in the first place. Those antiquated weapons are better than bugger all when the Loyalists come swooping down out of Shankill. Don't give me any old jaw about "IRA = I Ran Away". Nobody ran away. Not Billy McMillan, not Joe McCann, not Frankie Cards, not Jim Sullivan...nobody. Least of all Gerald McAuley shot down while defending his neighbours. They had only a few old weapons, but the USED them. They may not have had the desired effect, but what effect will NO weapons have? Well, now we can all be numbered defeated togehter, Provo, Stick and Erp. No more crowing from you all. Answer me this...what "undefeated army" ever destroyed its weapons in the face of the enemy while they remain armed and in action? Laugh at CIRA and RIRA all you want. They may be a shower of ineffectual, tradition- bound right- wing throwbacks, but they are not defeated. Not yet, anyway, but I reckon the Brits will find their price in time. Today I hang my head in shame.
as we`ll know that the monarchy in the netherlands is illegal. this cost the dutch worker a lot off tax pro year. there`s a new forum: Pro republica ,who stands off a republic in the netherlands . this illegal kingdom have parts in shell and they are also members off the capitalist the Bildersbergs society. the mayority who stands behind them , gets smaller.
how much does it cost per person per year in the netherlands for the upkeep of the monarchy ?
in the UK i think it costs 69p per person a year for the royal family. but that's over £40m that could be but to better use, especially given the recent recession and high levels of poverty in areas.
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 297 Location: south belfast Karma: 11
Re: Official IRA have decommissioned their weapons « Result #20 Today at 12:35am »
Official Republican Movement Statement on Decommissioning February 8, 2010 Posted by WorldbyStorm in Irish Politics, Northern Ireland, The Left. trackback
The Official IRA have confirmed that, in keeping with the long held position within the Official Republican tradition of promoting and pursuing the development of peaceful, democratic and inclusive politics on the Island of Ireland; a process of engagement was unilaterally entered into with the Decommissioning Body and has reached a successful conclusion.
The purpose of this engagement was to ensure that all weapons which were under the control of the Official IRA or to which the Official IRA had access were accounted for and transferred to the control of the Decommissioning Body.
We have emphasized our commitment to removing any doubts that may exist that there are any Official IRA weapons in circulation.
To this end an extensive nation wide inventory has been completed to confirm and verify that all such equipment has been located, identified and transferred to the Decommissioning Body. Any other such equipment, which has not been submitted to the Decommissioning Process, has no association with the Official IRA.
“We call on all groups to respect and respond to the undeniable mandate imposed on us all from the people of Ireland both in the 26 counties and the 6 counties with their democratic demand for a complete end to violent conflict.
To those groups still intent on a violent agenda and who would declare themselves the protectors of the community against the oppressor, we say listen to the voice of that community. They spoke loud and clear in their demand for peace, and by ignoring that voice, you yourselves have become the oppressor.
It is time for you to leave the past and catch up.
We thank those Official Republicans who were the first to demand an end to sectarian and sectional violence and who were themselve’s attacked and murdered for their anti-sectarian stand.
We congratulate all those who have realised the futility of violence and who now pursue political objectives through peaceful strategies.
We encourage the continued involvement of Official Republicans in the vital work taking place between all former combatants, Republican and Loyalist, in recognizing this work as an essential part of the building of a lasting peace that has already brought immediate mutual benefits for the entire community and brings hope for a better future for our children.
Official Republicans in the tradition of Tone believe that the unity of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter is the essential component of an agreed future for all the people of this island
We must make no secret of what we stand and aim for. ...We must define our socialist republic, explain exactly what it entails: we must define this with the utmost clarity -Ta Power
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #21 Yesterday at 11:44pm »
I totally understand the sentiments expressed be Setanta and Danielle and I suppose there is little I can say to change how you feel because you are making valid points that were made during the debates leading up to this. What i can say is that to a person everyone involved questioned this and debated this in their own minds and we as a collective decided that nothing ventured nothing gained and i don't want to sound glib or minimise the importance of the decision.
On the plus side we hope to build a viable party capable of challenging the status quo, we hope to reach out and build alliances with other progressive elements. I am not aware of any negotiations but I know that the movement would hope that the govt see this as genuine and recipricate in terms of movement on prisoners. By the middle of the year there would be upwards of 20 men in Portlaois in a time of peace, that is simply not acceptable to us as a movement and cannot be justified at this time to either the men themselves or their families. If some rifles and handguns are the price to get these men out I for one would not stand in the way of that. They are more important to us than the weapons at this time and the movement has been on ceasefire for 12 years.
As I said earlier if anyone wants any of this explained or expanded upon then you should talk to your comrades in the movement.
My personal opinion as an ex combatant is that it is totally and absolutely wrong for an organisation that claims to be revolutionary to hand over arms. I have no problems at all with the concept that armed struggle is not viable at this time. But it is a giant leap to go from that position to actually handing over arms.
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #23 Yesterday at 10:51pm »
Very good post setanta. I think that sums up a lot of peoples thoughts. Armed strugle is not viable at this moment in time but decommisioning is a step too far in my opinion. I have heard it called surrendering so many times before on this forum but now its the INLA and not the PIRA its called taking a new direction. Will the IRSP be condeming attacks on the british army in the future? I would also like to know if someone can clarify for me are the IRSP considering puting a candidate forward for elections or sitting in stormont? I am not critisising any moves taken by the movement i just think its a sad day for the RSM.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #29 Yesterday at 8:41pm »
From its inception in 1974 there have been numerous excuses, some valid, some not, as to why the Movement could,nt build a revolutionary party. Each leadership faced the charge that Group B was in someway holding back the work of Group A. This led to many disagreements, many resignations, and at times much bitterness. As in all disagreements whether personal or political there were two sides to every story. But in earlier days the chance of proper analysis and debate was often secondary to the sounds of an on going war. Of course Group A should always have had predominance. Anything less would have been apolitical. But it did not always happen. For many years it was said that armed struggle itself was precluding the building of a revoutionary party and was keeping many genuine socialists outside the Movement. Was that the case. ? We,ll never know. But since 1998 Group B have been silent. 12 long years. I know that no time limits can be put upon revolution but I would suggest that 12 years is more than enough time to begin the building of that revolutionary party. I see no sign of it. I know others here will disagree with me and I respect thier right to do so. I now suggest that even after 12 years and now the handing over of arms that this will still not advance the chances of that revolutionary movement being built around Group A. My personal opinion as an ex combatant is that it is totally and absolutely wrong for an organisation that claims to be revolutionary to hand over arms. I have no problems at all with the concept that armed struggle is not viable at this time. But it is a giant leap to go from that position to actually handing over arms. Many excuses will be made as to the reasons. Some of those who will make those excuses.....and over the weekend I heard some of them......derided the Provos for making the same excuses. One guy even told me on Sunday that I "should be looking at the big picture".....a phrase straight out of Connolly House. The real big picture is that we are further away from a Socialist Republic than we have ever been. I can tell you that this latest act will attract no more people to the RSM than it would have already attracted. It will not help to build a mass Movement. If that were to be the case those people would have come forward in thousands over the last 12 years.....years in which for the first time since 1974 those tasked with building a mass movement had the luxury of doing so without the sound of gunfire in thier ears. I will end by saluting the courage and bravery of each and every PLA and INLA Vol since 1974. I salute the memory of our dead Vols. I salute our hundreds of POW,S, the families of all these Vols. without whom there would have been no struggle. I salute those who supported the struggle when it was especially difficult to. To those friends and comrades abroad who supported us in very practical ways. I know that most of what I say here will be derided....thats fair enough....and thats politics. The one thing I have found out about politics in my last 60plus years........you can convince yourself that anything is right....all the more so if some others support your position. But in later times you still have to shave in the mirror and look at yourself. I sincerely would love to be proved wrong and that these recent moves will bring about the society we all strove for. I,ll be the first to stand and say..."I got it wrong". That really would please me but I don,t think I,ll be saying that. But although I think the RSM have done the wrong thing I wish each of you well. I still have a few friends left there......age now taking many of them to the grave. I met one old Comrade this morning....he lost a brother in the struggle. He said he was angry. I,m not. Just sad. But hey, thats life..and politics. Beir Bua.
Does no one else find it strange that a statement highlighting the RSMs new pacifist approach to the liberation struggle mentions James connolly and the Ta power document.
Yes connolly did state "we believe in constitutional action in normal times, with Revolutionary action in exception times" but he also said "Hold on to your rifles boys".
In regards to the Ta Power document, i dont recall decomission ever being mentiond in said document but i do remember lines such as " the recognition that the armed struggle was not only justified, but also necessary if Britain were to be forced from this country"
The IRSM was formed because of the Official movements lack of commitment to the continuation of armed struggle against the imperialist occupier.
The state is now the only holder of arms in Ireland.
I'm with you 100% workersrepublic32, Connolly's full quote is "The odds are a thousand to one against us, but in the event of victory, hold onto your rifles, as those with whom we are fighting may stop before our goal is reached."
The INLA didn’t achieve the 32 county socialist democratic republic volunteers fought and died for. IMO this move has made the RSM as irrelevant to the working class as the SDLP or Fianna Fáil are.
Wait, I thought the IRSP were the provos now?
comparing them to the provos or SDLP is pointless. The irps are actually active in their communities and in some campaigns and protests. They haven't followed the political path of the SDLP or SF.
Joined: Jun 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 183 Location: Tir eoghain Karma: 6
Re: RSF condemn the INLA « Result #32 Yesterday at 8:12pm »
“These weapons should have been given to those prepared to use them"
I could not believe my eyes when I read this line.
RSF the political wing of an ultra irrelevant "Army" has the audacity to come out with this crap. "Never fired a shot" Des Dalton should have the Saoirse paper shoved up his arse for coming out with drivel like this.
Does no one else find it strange that a statement highlighting the RSMs new pacifist approach to the liberation struggle mentions James connolly and the Ta power document.
Yes connolly did state "we believe in constitutional action in normal times, with Revolutionary action in exception times" but he also said "Hold on to your rifles boys".
In regards to the Ta Power document, i dont recall decomission ever being mentiond in said document but i do remember lines such as " the recognition that the armed struggle was not only justified, but also necessary if Britain were to be forced from this country"
The IRSM was formed because of the Official movements lack of commitment to the continuation of armed struggle against the imperialist occupier.
The state is now the only holder of arms in Ireland.
I'm with you 100% workersrepublic32, Connolly's full quote is "The odds are a thousand to one against us, but in the event of victory, hold onto your rifles, as those with whom we are fighting may stop before our goal is reached."
The INLA didn’t achieve the 32 county socialist democratic republic volunteers fought and died for. IMO this move has made the RSM as irrelevant to the working class as the SDLP or Fianna Fáil are.
Why is that? By the same logic, the armed groups (C/RIRA) are the most relevant to the working class as they have some rifles.
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #34 Yesterday at 8:01pm »
it is true to say this is a sad day for many of our comrades,but lets build a revolutionary left wing party which is able to creat a broad front and bring the vast majority of the working class on to the streets and bring a end to the poverty which is shoved down there thoats. the only thing any state fears is the masses puting down there tools .the ruling class depend on the labour of the workers of this country.we have succeeded in creating an organisation that is willing to do more for the working class.socialism is an industrialand political question it s going to be settled in the workshops and the ballot boxes its not going to be settled at the lter
After speaking to some members and reading the statment in full my worries have eased and i look forward with confidence now that this movemnt will move on and contest elections as the only republican socialist party the peole can vote for.
I also salute the volunteerrs of ths INLA who paid the ultimate sacrfice and hope and pray that the ireland they died for will be delivered through the primacy of politics .
squig
Well said, Squig....
I think this goes to the heart of the matter, and is a testament to the deliberative process taken by the movement on this issue -- people on the ground, with concerns and reservations, are having those concerns addressed. What seems like a rather quick about-face to online supporters and observers outside the movmeent has clearly been a long and thoughtful process, not taken lightly.
Does no one else find it strange that a statement highlighting the RSMs new pacifist approach to the liberation struggle mentions James connolly and the Ta power document.
Yes connolly did state "we believe in constitutional action in normal times, with Revolutionary action in exception times" but he also said "Hold on to your rifles boys".
In regards to the Ta Power document, i dont recall decomission ever being mentiond in said document but i do remember lines such as " the recognition that the armed struggle was not only justified, but also necessary if Britain were to be forced from this country"
The IRSM was formed because of the Official movements lack of commitment to the continuation of armed struggle against the imperialist occupier.
The state is now the only holder of arms in Ireland.
I'm with you 100% workersrepublic32, Connolly's full quote is "The odds are a thousand to one against us, but in the event of victory, hold onto your rifles, as those with whom we are fighting may stop before our goal is reached."
The INLA didn’t achieve the 32 county socialist democratic republic volunteers fought and died for. IMO this move has made the RSM as irrelevant to the working class as the SDLP or Fianna Fáil are.
There can never be peace in Ireland until the foreign, oppresive British presence is removed, leaving all the Irish people as a unit to control their own affairs and determine their own destinies as a sovereign people, free in mind and body, seperate and distinct physically, culturally and economically - Vol Bobby Sands, 1954 - 1981
Re: RSF condemn the INLA « Result #38 Yesterday at 7:27pm »
RSF is irrelevant, non existent, non political and militarily useless.They have been since the day and hour they set up. I have more people in my living room with more sophistication and political awareness than they do, and theyre children. If they made any impact at all, even a slight impact you could give them dues, but theyre so far up their own arses they actually believe they are the shit.Poor deluded people.
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #39 Yesterday at 7:12pm »
I fully support the INLA's move and wish the RSM the best of luck in the future.The RSM is far from dumb.Infact they are recognised as the most politically articulate of all republican groups out there. any reason they made for this decision i believe was expertly and strategically calculated and i have full faith in them. Time for the IRSP to lead the way.This is a new era, with a new (political) war and needs a new strategy and the IRSP are the ready for it.
After speaking to some members and reading the statment in full my worries have eased and i look forward with confidence now that this movemnt will move on and contest elections as the only republican socialist party the peole can vote for.
I also salute the volunteerrs of ths INLA who paid the ultimate sacrfice and hope and pray that the ireland they died for will be delivered through the primacy of politics .
squig
Well done Squig, I am glad someone has been able to address your concerns. Tbh you are not alone, a lot of members of the movement had concerns and these were eased through the consultations and debates that were held in various areas. Because of the nature of what was happening I'm sure some people were not able to access these and were not fully up to date. Now though I'm sure that if anyone anywhere has similar concerns members of the leadership of the movement will no doubt make themselves available to answer any questions.
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,857 Location: Falls Road Karma: 4,502
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #42 Yesterday at 6:17pm »
After speaking to some members and reading the statment in full my worries have eased and i look forward with confidence now that this movemnt will move on and contest elections as the only republican socialist party the peole can vote for.
I also salute the volunteerrs of ths INLA who paid the ultimate sacrfice and hope and pray that the ireland they died for will be delivered through the primacy of politics .
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
Re: Dennis Murphy, Dublin. RIP - Funeral Arrangeme « Result #43 Yesterday at 6:05pm »
Hello Patrick,
Deepest sympathy at this sad time. As you can see from the comments on here Denis was widely known within the IRSP throughout Ireland and beyond and he was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. A real gentleman.
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 297 Location: south belfast Karma: 11
Last loyalist group disposes of weapons « Result #45 Yesterday at 5:10pm »
A breakaway faction of the UDA has decommissioned its weapons hours before an amnesty allowing illegal groups to disarm without fear of prosecution expires.
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the House of Commons that the south east Antrim brigade had destroyed its entire arsenal.
It is the last remaining armed loyalist paramilitary group to decommission.
Mr Brown said this was a "central part of moving Northern Ireland from violence to peace".
We must make no secret of what we stand and aim for. ...We must define our socialist republic, explain exactly what it entails: we must define this with the utmost clarity -Ta Power
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
Re: A New Beginning « Result #46 Yesterday at 5:01pm »
Nothing ventured nothing gained and I as well am glad I am part of a movement that has foresight and ambition. Now is the time to put our efforts into building the party and challenging the corruption north and south and giving the working class renewed hope.
Joined: Jul 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 1,688 Location: Idir anseo agus ansin Karma: 20
A New Beginning « Result #47 Yesterday at 4:53pm »
A chairde, a Dublin Comrade asked me to post this.
A New Beginning
“As a socialist party, our ultimate political objective is the creation of a unified 32 county Democratic Socialist Republic within which the Irish working class will control the wealth and resources of the nation.”
With the latest move from the INLA, being centre stage in political news around Ireland and indeed in some parts of the world. The usual crowd of reactionary nationalists have decided to lambast Republican Socialists for taking steps to disarm. This action was not taken lightly; it followed on from intense debate, consultation and analysis of the political developments over the past 12 years. Our movement fought a war against the British state and make no apology for it.
Online and in press ‘statements’ these nationalist groups have proclaimed we are going down the Provo path of supporting British rule, when we are not. Unlike themselves we do not come from the tradition of Provo reactionary politics. We have a firm Marxist analysis and make no apology for it; these people are incapable of anything more than getting excited over hooded gun men.
We in the IRSM are entering the arena of politics full time, we are organising and building. We will be delivering our message and our politics the length and breadth of Ireland. We will not settle for anything less than a socialist republic, we will not be administering British/Free State rule, nor will we be supporting it.
Seamus Costello said it best: “We don't see parliament as an institution that is likely to produce the results which we want from a long-term point of view. We don't see it in a reformist way. We see both parliamentary institutions in Ireland as institutions that have to be abolished if we are to make progress towards establishing a Socialist Republic.”
It’s the duty of any Republican Socialist to be a realist, we must know our limits at any time and we must do everything in our power to overcome obstacles put in our path. Rhetoric will not wash with us; rhetoric will not build a republic. Activism is what is needed, we will be out in our communities, we will be round the doors and we will be agitating. We will be engaging in militant socialist politics and mobilising our class. I’m sure as we do this; the reactionaries will be sitting in their arm chairs or behind keyboards pontificating about the armies move.
I for one am glad we are not stuck in the narrow nationalist round about, let the Taliban lookalikes release all the begrudging statements they want. We will be building the republic, while they’re stuck in the never ending year of 1986.
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #48 Yesterday at 4:52pm »
The INLA, in my opinion, have realised that the arsenal they held on to in a symbolic fashion was a barrier to building a untied reveolutionary left front. Other left groups in North and South would not involve themselves because of this.
This was too high a price for the movement to pay so it took the wise decision to dump arms. Weapons are tools. If they are needed again in the future, they can be got. They are not needed now. What the movement needs now is the support of the people.
I believe strongly that the movement can and will come out of this period stronger rather than weaker for having made this move.
Very good analysis Poblachtach Soisialach. The time for armed revolution is simply not now, armed actions have even less support than when the INLA was at war and it would prove extremely foolish and futile to carry out any sort of campaign within current parameters. We would hope that we will get on with building a truely revolutionary movement that will one day be able to bring about the workers republic. We also believe that we have actually taken a more difficult path than the previous one of sitting on the sidelines. Now is the time to build the party.
A chara what has the lack of revolutionary conditions have to do with retaining the armys weaponry? This is what i do not understand at all.
If 'peace' was the way forward why did the INLA keep its weapons and continue to kill people up untill a few months ago? what has happend in the last few months to convince the INLA to surrender its arms and for the IRSM to embrace pacifism?
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
The emails stolen from the University of East Anglia in November have cast an uncomfortable light on the behind-the-scenes actions of some of the most senior and respected climate scientists in the world. The affair raises serious questions about access to data and the way scientific peer review can be used to stifle dissent. But is the science of climate change fatally flawed by the climategate revelations? Absolutely not. Nothing uncovered in the emails destroys the argument that humans are warming the planet.
None of the 1,073 emails plus 3,587 files containing documents, raw data and computer code upsets the 200-year-old science behind the "greenhouse effect" of gases like carbon dioxide, which traps solar heat and warm the atmosphere. Nothing changes the fact that carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere thanks to human emissions from burning carbon-based fuels like coal and oil. Nor the calculations of physicists that for every square metre of the earth's surface, 1.6 watts more energy now enters the atmosphere than leaves it.
And we know the world is warming as a result. Thousands of thermometers in areas remote from any conceivable local urban influences tell us that. The oceans are warming too. And we have the evidence of our own eyes. The great majority of the world's glaciers are retreating, Arctic sea ice is disappearing, sea levels are rising ever faster, trees are climbing up hillsides and permafrost is melting. These are not statistical artefacts or the result of scientists cherry-picking their data.
Equally, many of the most widely publicised claims from sceptics about what is in the emails are demonstrably unfounded. There is no conspiracy to "hide the decline" in temperatures. Nor that a lack of warming in the data is a "travesty" – still less of attempts to fix the data.
But, within the narrower confines of assembling a reliable history of global temperature, the emails have done significant damage to the credibility of scientists. They show that in their desire to give the world a clear message that humans are heating the planet here and now, a group of scientists cut corners and down-play uncertainties in their calculations. Their opponents charge that they then covered their tracks by being secretive with their data and suppressing dissent.
Taken with the recent revelations about shortcomings in reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), this suggests a wider problem of scientific sloppiness, but not of outright fraud. Many scientists believe their community has to own up to that, and put its house in order.
Part of the problem is secrecy in science. Climatologist Judy Curry of the Georgia Institute of Technology, who has been trying to make peace between her colleagues and the sceptics, says the various data sets connected to the famous "hockey stick" temperature graph and Phil Jones's thermometer data sets "stand out as lacking transparency". Science is too much of a closed shop, she says. Outsiders need to be let into the ivory towers for the good of science itself. "Einstein didn't start his career at Princeton, but rather at a post office." Bring on the bloggers. Maybe there's an Einstein among them.
The doors of the labs are being opened whether scientists like it or not. The Information Commissioner's office last week released a statement saying that the University of East Anglia had "not dealt with [FoI requests] as they should have been under the legislation". There is evidence in the emails that some scientists at the Climatic Research Unit wanted to delete files rather than hand them over – although it is not clear whether any deliberate deletions actually happened.
Probably nobody anticipated that a law intended to unwrap state secrets might end up freeing data from scientists' computers. But the science community now urgently needs to figure out how to respond to this altered landscape – or scientists will end up in court before long.
The need to open up science is made all the greater by the question raised in the emails about the "gold standard", the peer review system. In many fields of research, peer review creates serious conflicts of interest in which, as the emails have revealed, senior researchers can act in a way that could have the effect of blackballing the research papers of their critics. The dangers are all the greater when, again as the emails show, the conventions of anonymity in peer review are not rigorously upheld.
Finally, "climategate" raises questions about the IPCC report-writing process, in which many of the emailers have been involved. Governments set up the IPCC 20 years ago to get scientists to speak with one voice on climate change. But often there is no clear consensus. Scientists are trained to disagree. That's how science advances. The tensions created by the pressure to agree are clear in dozens of the emails.
One of Jones's colleagues at the University of East Anglia, climatologist Mike Hulme, says: "Climate scientists will have to work harder to earn the warranted trust of the public – and maybe that is no bad thing." And he thinks the IPCC may have run its course.
While science gets its house in order, we need some perspective. In the midst of a cold winter it may be hard to convince ourselves, but the world is still warming. Humanity is still to blame. And we still, urgently, need to do something about it.
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #51 Yesterday at 4:17pm »
Very good analysis Poblachtach Soisialach. The time for armed revolution is simply not now, armed actions have even less support than when the INLA was at war and it would prove extremely foolish and futile to carry out any sort of campaign within current parameters. We would hope that we will get on with building a truely revolutionary movement that will one day be able to bring about the workers republic. We also believe that we have actually taken a more difficult path than the previous one of sitting on the sidelines. Now is the time to build the party.
There was a great deal of manouvering between MacGiolla and Costello at Ard Fheisanna prior to the formation of IRSP, thats a cert. That is the kind of thing that goes on in all political parties, so yes I would say Tomas was indeed trying to prevent Costello from strenthening his position within SF. As to referring to him as "sectarian" after the split, I think that MacGiolla believed that by that time anyone promoting an offensive military campaign in the Six Counties was abetting Sectarianism, even if not actually a Sectarian by nature. I do not think so, but I feel that MacGiolla did.
Perhaps Mac Giolla put it that way, that pushing for armed struggle was sectarian, and not that Costello was subjectively sectarian. However many other sticks have said that Costello was sectarian and claimed that he basically just wanted to kill off protestants.
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 343 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Karma: 2
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #53 Yesterday at 3:52pm »
Just for a second pretend that the real reason isn't political, but practical -- the deadline for amnesty on investigations of actions committed with weapons passed with the confirmation of decommissioning -- with the destruction of these weapons, committed political activists who may have had skeletons in their closets no longer have that specter looming over their shoulders. Let the INLA dump their hot weapons and obsolete arsenal, and when the time comes and the moment is right, go shopping.
History calls for moments of flexibility, and the IRSM is capable of that. Granted, I was crowing about as much as the RSF when the provos gave up their guns, but it was clear what the provo game was at that point. Just as it's clear that the IRSP is at a real make-or-break point in its political maturation.
The time to balk was in 1998 when Crip accounced the INLA's war was over -- this is the only logical conclusion to the ball that started rolling nearly 12 years ago. Now is the time to catch up on a lot of lost ground. No more excuses.
Good luck to all members of the IRSM, especially those charged with being at the front of this decom move -- no doubt there's been a lot of lost sleep and stomach aches.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
Joined: May 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 191 Location: In Exile Karma: 16
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #55 Yesterday at 3:46pm »
Does no one else find it strange that a statement highlighting the RSMs new pacifist approach to the liberation struggle mentions James connolly and the Ta power document.
Yes connolly did state "we believe in constitutional action in normal times, with Revolutionary action in exception times" but he also said "Hold on to your rifles boys".
In regards to the Ta Power document, i dont recall decomission ever being mentiond in said document but i do remember lines such as " the recognition that the armed struggle was not only justified, but also necessary if Britain were to be forced from this country"
The IRSM was formed because of the Official movements lack of commitment to the continuation of armed struggle against the imperialist occupier.
The state is now the only holder of arms in Ireland.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
RSF condemn the INLA « Result #57 Yesterday at 3:40pm »
What a truely pathetic statement from the political dinosaurs of RSF who have showed absolutely no imagination or foresight in the 24 years of their existence. Likewise the CIRA have done absolutely nothing to further the struggle for Irish freedom. They would be more honest with themselves if they were to admit that and take their movement in a new direction. It seems the statement writer hasn't even bothered to read or listen to the INLA statement because nowhere does it mention support for British policing, the contrary is the case. And just another point, who would be prepared to use the INLA weapons, certainly not the CIRA.
INLA FOLLOW PROVO PATH OF SHAME
The INLA's unilateral surrender of weapons is no less shameful than that of the Provos, a spokesman for Republican Sinn Féin has said.
“These weapons should have been given to those prepared to use them rather than destroyed to gain favour with the enemy.
“British guns remain on our streets with the blessing of former Republicans. Will those close to the now defunct INLA insist that British Crown Forces are to be supported rather than opposed?”
Comrades, the decision by the INLA is both historic and welcome, it demonstrates a political maturity and a determination to move the struggle to hopefully a more productive phase. I believe that a total reevaluation on how we can bring together the Irish working class needs to take place, in the north we need to fully examine our relationship with the loyalist working class to determine areas in which we may cooperate to thwart and frustrate the ruling class, to whom sectarian division is the most effective tool in their armory, in maintaining their power. I salute all Republican Socialist volunteers past and present, it is now up to all of us to insure the many sacrifices were not in vain. Venceremos
The capitalist ruling class will never be overthrown without the combined use of arms and a mass revolt of the working class
ADMIN: *** Debate the points but please refrain from abusing the movement. This is an RSM site and as we've repeatedly said we will not allow it to be used to abuse our movement.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
Comrades, the decision by the INLA is both historic and welcome, it demonstrates a political maturity and a determination to move the struggle to hopefully a more productive phase. I believe that a total reevaluation on how we can bring together the Irish working class needs to take place, in the north we need to fully examine our relationship with the loyalist working class to determine areas in which we may cooperate to thwart and frustrate the ruling class, to whom sectarian division is the most effective tool in their armory, in maintaining their power. I salute all Republican Socialist volunteers past and present, it is now up to all of us to insure the many sacrifices were not in vain. Venceremos
The possibility of united ireland referendum? « Result #60 Yesterday at 3:08pm »
Please excuse me if i am posting this question in the wrong place and direct me to where i should post. Also forgive my basic understanding on these matters.
After reading this brief segment from the good Friday agreement i am asking is there a possibility of a united Ireland referendum?
Sovereignty: Future sovereignty of Northern Ireland (NI), i.e. participation in either UK or Republic of Ireland) to be determined by referendum of people of NI (this is now recognized in British law and Irish constitution).
Does any party have a plan for this or when it could happen? If it does happen would the loyalist community accept an out come of a united Ireland? Is it simply a question of numbers?
I understand these are big and very broad questions but any debate or information is welcomed.
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Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #61 Yesterday at 2:52pm »
Comrades, the decision by the INLA is both historic and welcome, it demonstrates a political maturity and a determination to move the struggle to hopefully a more productive phase. I believe that a total reevaluation on how we can bring together the Irish working class needs to take place, in the north we need to fully examine our relationship with the loyalist working class to determine areas in which we may cooperate to thwart and frustrate the ruling class, to whom sectarian division is the most effective tool in their armory, in maintaining their power. I salute all Republican Socialist volunteers past and present, it is now up to all of us to insure the many sacrifices were not in vain. Venceremos
'I made men see through war to peace. I made of death a little thing and of life a great adventure. I kept my own body fit and effecient and when surfeited with slaughter of war and tired of soul I used it to keep my inner candle burning.....
yaya Five Star General Foster bores me! member is offline
Joined: Jun 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 1,027 Location: Belfast Karma: 22
Re: Global Warming - Really? « Result #62 Yesterday at 2:30pm »
How Met Office blocked questions on its own man's role in 'hockey stick' climate row.
Quote:
The Meteorological Office is blocking public scrutiny of the central role played by its top climate scientist in a highly controversial report by the beleaguered United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Professor John Mitchell, the Met Office’s Director of Climate Science, shared responsibility for the most worrying headline in the 2007 Nobel Prize-winning IPCC report – that the Earth is now hotter than at any time in the past 1,300 years.
And he approved the inclusion in the report of the famous ‘hockey stick’ graph, showing centuries of level or declining temperatures until a steep 20th Century rise.
By the time the 2007 report was being written, the graph had been heavily criticised by climate sceptics who had shown it minimised the ‘medieval warm period’ around 1000AD, when the Vikings established farming settlements in Greenland.
In fact, according to some scientists, the planet was then as warm, or even warmer, than it is today.
Early drafts of the report were fiercely contested by official IPCC reviewers, who cited other scientific papers stating that the 1,300-year claim and the graph were inaccurate.
But the final version, approved by Prof Mitchell, the relevant chapter’s review editor, swept aside these concerns.
Now, the Met Office is refusing to disclose Prof Mitchell’s working papers and correspondence with his IPCC colleagues in response to requests filed under the Freedom of Information Act.
The block has been endorsed in writing by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth – whose department has responsibility for the Met Office.
Documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday reveal that the Met Office’s stonewalling was part of a co-ordinated, legally questionable strategy. [Source]
“Whoever can conquer the street will one day conquer the state, for every form of power politics and any dictatorship-run state has its roots in the street.” Joseph Goebbels
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 297 Location: south belfast Karma: 11
Official IRA have decommissioned their weapons « Result #63 Yesterday at 2:06pm »
Hours later, the Official IRA, which is a relatively small organisation most active in the 1970s, also confirmed the move at a Belfast press conference.
In a statement, the latest group to disarm said:
"We have emphasised our commitment to removing any doubts that may exist that there are any Official IRA weapons in circulation.
"To this end an extensive nationwide inventory has been completed to confirm and verify that all such equipment has been located, identified and transferred to the decommissioning body. Any other such equipment, which has not been submitted to the decommissioning process, has no association with the Official IRA."
The Official IRA emerged at the start of the Troubles when the republican movement split into the Official and Provisional IRA.
The Official IRA declared a ceasefire in 1972, but later became involved in bitter republican feuds.
It is understood to have killed around 57 people.
The group said it had abandoned violence and indicated that public support for the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and the wider peace process should be recognised.
We must make no secret of what we stand and aim for. ...We must define our socialist republic, explain exactly what it entails: we must define this with the utmost clarity -Ta Power
Joined: Oct 2003 Gender: Male Posts: 1,611 Location: Derry, Occupied Ireland Karma: 35
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #64 Yesterday at 2:05pm »
Statement from the leadership of the Irish National Liberation Army
On the issue of weapons held by the INLA.
The Irish National Liberation Army, as part of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, was formed in December 1974 in order to bring about a 32 County Socialist Republic on the island of Ireland. Since then many sacrifices were made by our volunteers, dozens were killed and many hundreds jailed and exiled as a result of their revolutionary activity. We would like to commend our volunteers past and present, for their courage and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity. At various stages during the conflict the volunteer soldiers of the INLA took the war to the heart of the British establishment and to their military, political and capitalist apparatus in Ireland.
Our actions helped bring an end to Unionist one party rule in the six counties and like all other parties to the conflict our members have suffered, have been killed, imprisoned, died on hunger strike and marginalized – but never broken nor defeated. We pay tribute to our fallen comrades who gave their lives in the struggle, we also pay tribute to their families and share their pride and sorrow. We also salute the courage and steadfastness of all of our supporters who risked and sacrificed so much.
The nature of the conflict in the north of Ireland for a generation dictated that armed struggle was the only option available to those who wished to bring down a corrupt and stubborn regime and to remove the British occupation from Ireland and we make no apology for our part in the conflict. We believe that conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries in order to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives.
Revolutionaries must continually analyse and adapt to the prevailing conditions of the day. To fail to do so will ultimately mean that the failures of the past will be repeated. James Connolly said in 1915; "We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times." We do not see the continuing occupation of the six counties as acceptable and no nation should be occupied by any foreign imperialist state but we do believe that the retention of INLA weapons at this time clearly alienates a large section of the working class on the island of Ireland from the struggle to build socialism. We see it as our duty as revolutionaries to persuade the working class that there exists massive benefits in embracing socialism and building a republic that embraces all the children of the nation equally and that is something worth fighting for. We believe that as the battlefield has changed then so too must our tactics. We will continue our ! struggle to bring about the republic for which so many of our comrades gave their lives pursuing.
The circumstances which brought about the need for armed conflict have changed radically. We, along with other republicans, can claim some credit for the progress that has been made. In particular the recent decommissioning of loyalist weapons can be traced back to the INLA’s imaginative “no first strike” policy of 1994.
The INLA have now been on cease-fire for almost twelve years and in recent times has been engaged in a process of in-depth consultation and collective debate, locally, nationally and internationally. On 11th October 2009 the INLA announced that our military war was over concluding that the time was right to reaffirm the primacy of politics and clearly stating that it is our belief that armed struggle is not a viable option at this time.
We can now also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of a local, a national and an international organisation. This was done in a process in accordance with international standards. The joint facilitation group included; Creggan Enterprises Derry, The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Dialogue Advisory Group, Amsterdam, an international conflict resolution organisation.
We hope that this move will further enhance the primacy of politics as outlined in the Ta Power Document and that it will, in time, unite and advance the working class struggle in Ireland. We recognise that real, meaningful and lasting change will only be secured through radical political struggle from a united working class in Ireland. We remain committed to ending partition, eradicating sectarianism and uniting Ireland by building a viable working class alternative. We will seek to engage with all other progressive forces to work towards these ends. The volunteers of the INLA will not be found wanting in the continuing struggle for the liberation of the working class.
The INLA and the entire Republican Socialist Movement remains steadfastly opposed to the partitionist and sectarian set-up in the six counties. These moves by the INLA do not mean an acceptance of either Stormont or the political, policing and judicial structures in the north. We will continue to oppose these structures as vigorously as before through the primacy of politics. We remain steadfastly opposed to any British colonial policing in any part of Ireland.
Whilst our tactics are changing our objectives remain the same - the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic envisaged by generations of Republicans from Liam Mellows to Ta Power and from James Connolly to Seamus Costello. The tradition of Irish Republican Socialism remains and is growing. We are convinced that the northern state as a political entity is unworkable and we remain opposed to the Good Friday Agreement and it’s institutions which perpetuate sectarianism and division among our class.
All our comrades and activists will prosecute our struggle politically and with the same vigour with which they fought the British state in Ireland. We have fought the long war, let us now fight for an independent Irish society based on the principles of equality, social justice and lasting peace.
Re: INLA decommissioning confirmed « Result #68 Yesterday at 12:04pm »
Statement from the leadership of the Irish National Liberation Army
On the issue of weapons held by the INLA.
The Irish National Liberation Army, as part of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, was formed in December 1974 in order to bring about a 32 County Socialist Republic on the island of Ireland. Since then many sacrifices were made by our volunteers, dozens were killed and many hundreds jailed and exiled as a result of their revolutionary activity. We would like to commend our volunteers past and present, for their courage and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity. At various stages during the conflict the volunteer soldiers of the INLA took the war to the heart of the British establishment and to their military, political and capitalist apparatus in Ireland.
Our actions helped bring an end to Unionist one party rule in the six counties and like all other parties to the conflict our members have suffered, have been killed, imprisoned, died on hunger strike and marginalized – but never broken nor defeated. We pay tribute to our fallen comrades who gave their lives in the struggle, we also pay tribute to their families and share their pride and sorrow. We also salute the courage and steadfastness of all of our supporters who risked and sacrificed so much.
The nature of the conflict in the north of Ireland for a generation dictated that armed struggle was the only option available to those who wished to bring down a corrupt and stubborn regime and to remove the British occupation from Ireland and we make no apology for our part in the conflict. We believe that conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries in order to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives.
Revolutionaries must continually analyse and adapt to the prevailing conditions of the day. To fail to do so will ultimately mean that the failures of the past will be repeated. James Connolly said in 1915; "We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times." We do not see the continuing occupation of the six counties as acceptable and no nation should be occupied by any foreign imperialist state but we do believe that the retention of INLA weapons at this time clearly alienates a large section of the working class on the island of Ireland from the struggle to build socialism. We see it as our duty as revolutionaries to persuade the working class that there exists massive benefits in embracing socialism and building a republic that embraces all the children of the nation equally and that is something worth fighting for. We believe that as the battlefield has changed then so too must our tactics. We will continue our struggle to bring about the republic for which so many of our comrades gave their lives pursuing.
The circumstances which brought about the need for armed conflict have changed radically. We, along with other republicans, can claim some credit for the progress that has been made. In particular the recent decommissioning of loyalist weapons can be traced back to the INLA’s imaginative “no first strike” policy of 1994.
The INLA have now been on cease-fire for almost twelve years and in recent times has been engaged in a process of in-depth consultation and collective debate, locally, nationally and internationally. On 11th October 2009 the INLA announced that our military war was over concluding that the time was right to reaffirm the primacy of politics and clearly stating that it is our belief that armed struggle is not a viable option at this time.
We can now also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of a local, a national and an international organisation. This was done in a process in accordance with international standards. The joint facilitation group included; Creggan Enterprises Derry, The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Dialogue Advisory Group, Amsterdam, an international conflict resolution organisation.
We hope that this move will further enhance the primacy of politics as outlined in the Ta Power Document and that it will, in time, unite and advance the working class struggle in Ireland. We recognise that real, meaningful and lasting change will only be secured through radical political struggle from a united working class in Ireland. We remain committed to ending partition, eradicating sectarianism and uniting Ireland by building a viable working class alternative. We will seek to engage with all other progressive forces to work towards these ends. The volunteers of the INLA will not be found wanting in the continuing struggle for the liberation of the working class.
The INLA and the entire Republican Socialist Movement remains steadfastly opposed to the partitionist and sectarian set-up in the six counties. These moves by the INLA do not mean an acceptance of either Stormont or the political, policing and judicial structures in the north. We will continue to oppose these structures as vigorously as before through the primacy of politics. We remain steadfastly opposed to any British colonial policing in any part of Ireland.
Whilst our tactics are changing our objectives remain the same - the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic envisaged by generations of Republicans from Liam Mellows to Ta Power and from James Connolly to Seamus Costello. The tradition of Irish Republican Socialism remains and is growing. We are convinced that the northern state as a political entity is unworkable and we remain opposed to the Good Friday Agreement and it’s institutions which perpetuate sectarianism and division among our class.
All our comrades and activists will prosecute our struggle politically and with the same vigour with which they fought the British state in Ireland. We have fought the long war, let us now fight for an independent Irish society based on the principles of equality, social justice and lasting peace.
08-02-10 ENDSStatement from the leadership of the Irish National Liberation Army
On the issue of weapons held by the INLA.
The Irish National Liberation Army, as part of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, was formed in December 1974 in order to bring about a 32 County Socialist Republic on the island of Ireland. Since then many sacrifices were made by our volunteers, dozens were killed and many hundreds jailed and exiled as a result of their revolutionary activity. We would like to commend our volunteers past and present, for their courage and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity. At various stages during the conflict the volunteer soldiers of the INLA took the war to the heart of the British establishment and to their military, political and capitalist apparatus in Ireland.
Our actions helped bring an end to Unionist one party rule in the six counties and like all other parties to the conflict our members have suffered, have been killed, imprisoned, died on hunger strike and marginalized – but never broken nor defeated. We pay tribute to our fallen comrades who gave their lives in the struggle, we also pay tribute to their families and share their pride and sorrow. We also salute the courage and steadfastness of all of our supporters who risked and sacrificed so much.
The nature of the conflict in the north of Ireland for a generation dictated that armed struggle was the only option available to those who wished to bring down a corrupt and stubborn regime and to remove the British occupation from Ireland and we make no apology for our part in the conflict. We believe that conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries in order to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives.
Revolutionaries must continually analyse and adapt to the prevailing conditions of the day. To fail to do so will ultimately mean that the failures of the past will be repeated. James Connolly said in 1915; "We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times." We do not see the continuing occupation of the six counties as acceptable and no nation should be occupied by any foreign imperialist state but we do believe that the retention of INLA weapons at this time clearly alienates a large section of the working class on the island of Ireland from the struggle to build socialism. We see it as our duty as revolutionaries to persuade the working class that there exists massive benefits in embracing socialism and building a republic that embraces all the children of the nation equally and that is something worth fighting for. We believe that as the battlefield has changed then so too must our tactics. We will continue our struggle to bring about the republic for which so many of our comrades gave their lives pursuing.
The circumstances which brought about the need for armed conflict have changed radically. We, along with other republicans, can claim some credit for the progress that has been made. In particular the recent decommissioning of loyalist weapons can be traced back to the INLA’s imaginative “no first strike” policy of 1994.
The INLA have now been on cease-fire for almost twelve years and in recent times has been engaged in a process of in-depth consultation and collective debate, locally, nationally and internationally. On 11th October 2009 the INLA announced that our military war was over concluding that the time was right to reaffirm the primacy of politics and clearly stating that it is our belief that armed struggle is not a viable option at this time.
We can now also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of a local, a national and an international organisation. This was done in a process in accordance with international standards. The joint facilitation group included; Creggan Enterprises Derry, The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Dialogue Advisory Group, Amsterdam, an international conflict resolution organisation.
We hope that this move will further enhance the primacy of politics as outlined in the Ta Power Document and that it will, in time, unite and advance the working class struggle in Ireland. We recognise that real, meaningful and lasting change will only be secured through radical political struggle from a united working class in Ireland. We remain committed to ending partition, eradicating sectarianism and uniting Ireland by building a viable working class alternative. We will seek to engage with all other progressive forces to work towards these ends. The volunteers of the INLA will not be found wanting in the continuing struggle for the liberation of the working class.
The INLA and the entire Republican Socialist Movement remains steadfastly opposed to the partitionist and sectarian set-up in the six counties. These moves by the INLA do not mean an acceptance of either Stormont or the political, policing and judicial structures in the north. We will continue to oppose these structures as vigorously as before through the primacy of politics. We remain steadfastly opposed to any British colonial policing in any part of Ireland.
Whilst our tactics are changing our objectives remain the same - the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic envisaged by generations of Republicans from Liam Mellows to Ta Power and from James Connolly to Seamus Costello. The tradition of Irish Republican Socialism remains and is growing. We are convinced that the northern state as a political entity is unworkable and we remain opposed to the Good Friday Agreement and it’s institutions which perpetuate sectarianism and division among our class.
All our comrades and activists will prosecute our struggle politically and with the same vigour with which they fought the British state in Ireland. We have fought the long war, let us now fight for an independent Irish society based on the principles of equality, social justice and lasting peace
Joined: Jun 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 635 Karma: 18
Re: Dennis Murphy, Dublin. RIP - Funeral Arrangeme « Result #69 Yesterday at 12:00pm »
is hard, very hard to wright here about this. what can by said to the family?
that marketmade for the pictures.
only say that as some charas had said a genuine man. i was honoured by destiny to knew him and i always keep him with me till the day i die.
he was only a man, but for me was a comrade , a friend, a father,a teacher and a brother. only say that not only republican socialism loss one of its best members. Is a sad day for Republicanism. he was a revolutionary, a socialist, a republican, a fighther, a gentleman. a true, fine and gallant irish man. a wondefull person.
i have a hole in my soul. i`m devastated,. i thought he was gping to make it, i can`t say more. only this that someone wrote many time ago.
"comrades in life, comrades till death..and as the the death is ligfe..comrade forever"
Its not Decommisioning its surrendering in my eyes.And the talk of there being no secret deals then you would have to be totally blind and naive to think there has been none done.If there has been secret talk then be rest assured there has been secret deals.If there are no secret deals then why the silence about it all.I think the statement that is due wont answer the questions that people will want answers from.
I wouldnt go as far to say it was a surrender a chara, but it is certainly a bad move.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
The conditions do not exist for armed struggle, one of these conditions is simply that there is no support from a substantial section of the public. The nationalist people in the 6Co's are putting their faith in SF at the present time. The process is still delivering tangible outcomes as far as the electorate is concerned.
This might be a subjective belief but only political arguments can win people to a revolutionary Marxist perspective. My view is that decommissioning is correct as it will allow class politics to develop.
The majority of people never supported the use of arms in the first place, I agree that the conditions today do not exist for an armed campaign but i have always thought that arms should be maintained for a possible future campaign and in defence.
Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.
Without an army standing on the people's side, it is impossible for the Chinese people to win freedom and unification
The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) confirmed announced today that it has decommissioned its weapons.
The republican paramilitary group, believed to have been responsible for the deaths of over 100 people during the Troubles, confirmed it has disposed of its illegal arsenal in recent weeks through the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
The splinter group was responsible for some of the most infamous attacks of the Troubles, including the killing of Conservative MP Airey Neave in 1979.
Four months ago the INLA used a graveside oration outside Dublin to confirm its “armed struggle is over” and it vowed to end its 35-year campaign of violence in the North.
A spokesman for the group, Martin McMonagle, told a Belfast press conference the INLA had disarmed.
“We make no apology for our part in the conflict,” he said.
But he added: “We believe that conditions have now changed in such a way that other options are open to revolutionaries in order to pursue and ultimately achieve our objectives.”
A prominent member of the INLA’s political wing, and a former INLA prisoner, he said his group would now work to encourage political progress.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) executive member said the INLA had been on ceasefire for 12 years and added it had now handed over all its weapons.
“We can also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of local, a national and an international organisation.
“This was done in a process in accordance with international standards,” he said.
“We hope that this will further enhance the primacy of politics ... and that it will in time unite and advance the working class struggle in Ireland.”
The consultation group included Irish trade union leaders and an academic, who worked with the IICD.
The trade unionists today confirmed they had witnessed the destruction of a substantial amount of weaponry.
A second IRSP spokesman, Willie Gallagher, said the INLA would not apologise for one of its most infamous attacks, the under-car bombing that killed Mr Neave as he left the House of Commons in 1979.
The republican, who is also a former INLA prisoner, said: “Airey Neave was a casualty of war. We have no regrets whatever about that particular action.”
Asked if today’s announcement offered a chance to apologise for such attacks, he said: “The INLA statement clearly outlined that the INLA had no regrets for its involvement in conflict.
“We viewed Airey Neave as an enemy combatant and a casualty of war. Of course, we do sympathise with his family, like all families that have been bereaved on both sides.
“We do regret all deaths, but we believe that deaths such as Airey Neave were necessary in the conflict and our prosecution of the war.”
But trade unionists involved in the decommissioning process said the community was safer as a result of the decision and characterised it as good news for the peace process.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly welcomed the reports that the INLA has put its weapons beyond use.
He said: “The peace process has ensured that a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland exists. There is no support for or appetite for armed actions within the republican community.
“The INLA has recognised this by engaging with the IICD in this action.
“Other small militarist factions, both republican and loyalist, who are opposed to the peace process need now also to reflect on their position given the political realities of 2010 and end their futile armed actions.”
Meanwhile, the loyalist Ulster Political Research Group, linked to the paramilitary Ulster Defence Association (UDA) which recently decommissioned its weapons, also welcomed the INLA announcement.
“We are sure we can speak for the widest spectrum of opinion in the loyalist community when we congratulate those who have shown great leadership within the socialist community and who have had the vision and taken great risks to create a new environment for the future where violence is no longer a viable option and where weapons are a thing of the past,” it said.
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
RUC/PSNI- Different Name, Same Aim « Result #74 Yesterday at 11:12am »
A New Beginning?
In November 2001, amid much fanfare, the British government re-branded the discredited Royal Ulster Constabulary with a new name, the Police Service of Northern Ireland. With the new name, the occupying power promised ‘a new beginning’ to policing in the Six Counties.
Almost a decade later, it is now abundantly clear that, instead of delivering a ‘new beginning’, the PSNI has simply continued with the same failed anti-working class and anti-republican agenda of the RUC and Royal Irish Constabulary before them. The lie of ‘community-based’ policing has been exposed by the reality of increased draconian legislation, harassment and brutality.
Since its conception the PSNI has:
Introduced 28-day detention to the Six Counties. Introduced Taser stun guns to the Six Counties. Introduced CS gas spray to the Six Counties. Fired plastic bullets at unarmed civilians and stockpiled more than 50,000 of these lethal projectiles. Updated its vast arsenal of weapons including automatic assault rifles and heavily armoured vehicles. Expanded the already extensive network of ‘big brother’ style cameras and other surveillance equipment. Ignored the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights by continuing to use ‘Section 44’ for unlawful ‘stop and searches’. In 2009 the PSNI carried out more than 20,000 ‘stop and searches’, almost exclusively against republicans.Flouted EU law by retaining DNA samples and fingerprints of thousands of innocent people, including children. Regularly suppressed legitimate peaceful political protests. Worked hand in glove with both the British army and M15, acting as the local ‘eyes and ears’ of the British state in the occupied Six Counties.
Different Name – Same Aim Throughout history, Britain has deployed a wide range of tactics to maintain its occupation of Ireland. Coercion, negotiation, bribery, betrayal and blackmail have all been used at various times by the British state to suppress the right of the Irish people to self-determination.
Regardless of these differing tactics, however, one element of British strategy in Ireland has remained constant for centuries – that of the locally recruited militia. From the Yeomanry of the 18th Century, to the Ulster Defence Regiment of the 20th Century to the paramilitary PSNI of this century, the objective of these forces remains unchanged.
Despite the new name and the change of uniform the primary aim of the PSNI remains the same as the RUC, RIC and B-Specials before it. That aim? To protect the British state and British interests in Ireland.
Front Line Force The British government and its allies in Ireland continuously claim that the PSNI is a normal police service for a normal state. Nothing could be further from the truth. The PSNI is just the frontline force of Britain’s ‘Axis of Evil’ in Ireland, with the British army and MI5 forming the other two elements of Britain’s tripartite of occupation forces in Ireland – with the British Army and the MI5 forming the other two elements.
British Army In 2009, the PSNI confirmed that the British army’s Special Reconnaissance Regiment was active in the Six Counties. The SSR – which is closely linked to the notorious SAS – is only part of the ‘permanent garrison’ of 5,000 British combat troops based in Ireland. These troops, and further reinforcements from Britain, can be rapidly deployed onto Irish streets and into Irish fields should the British government decide to do so. These troops answer directly to the British prime minister, not Stormont.
MI5 In 2007, MI5 took the lead role in gathering ‘national security intelligence’ [i.e. protecting the interests of the British state] in Ireland, a role which had previously been held by the PSNI. In the same year, the largest MI5 facility outside of its London headquarters opened in the grounds of the British army’s Palace Barracks on the outskirts of Belfast. Whilst shrouded in secrecy, it is believed that this facility alone can cater for more than 400 MI5 operatives.
At a cost of £20 million [€25 million], this massive building bears testament to Britain’s long term intentions in Ireland. And, just like the PSNI and the British army, M15 takes its orders from 10 Downing Street, not Stormont.
‘Transfer of Powers’ Will Change Nothing
On February 5th 2010 the British government announced its intention to transfer ‘policing and justice’ powers to Stormont. Even if this transfer were to occur it will affect neither the function or the form of the PSNI.
The PSNI will remain a British police force, enforcing British law in support of the British ‘justice’ system. Like police forces across the capitalist world its primary aim will remain the protection of the state and the interests of the ruling class; interests which run in direct contradiction to the interests of the working class.
éirígí understands there can be no meaningful ‘reform’ of British policing in Ireland, just as there can be no meaningful ‘reform’ of policing within the capitalist Twenty-Six County state. It is only through the restoration of national democracy and through the equitable redistribution of power and wealth that the long-term solutions to the issues of crime, policing and justice in Ireland can be found.
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
Joined: Feb 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 28 Location: doire Karma: 0
Re: INLA Decommission? « Result #75 Yesterday at 11:10am »
Its not Decommisioning its surrendering in my eyes.And the talk of there being no secret deals then you would have to be totally blind and naive to think there has been none done.If there has been secret talk then be rest assured there has been secret deals.If there are no secret deals then why the silence about it all.I think the statement that is due wont answer the questions that people will want answers from.
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
éirígí: Protest Against Section 44 & the PSNI « Result #77 Yesterday at 11:07am »
Protest Against Section 44 & the PSNI 07/02/10
As reported previously , an average of 100 nationalists are being stopped & searched every day of every week by the PSNI under repressive legislation.
Last year alone, at least 20,000 people were harassed by Britain’s political police under Section 44 of the ‘Anti-Terrorism Act’ and the Justice & Security Act 2007.
éirígí activists have been among those targeted by the PSNI using these pieces of foreign legislation (PSNI Repression on the Rise).
Yesterday [Saturday], just one day after an alleged new dawn in British policing in Ireland was declared, it was business as usual for the PSNI in west Belfast.
Four éirígí activists were detained in the Beechmount area by the political police using the now notorious Section 44 and Justice & Security Act legislation. The car that three of the men were travelling in was boxed in by two armoured jeeps before the vehicle and its occupants were searched by the paramilitary police. Initially, the PSNI claimed they were detaining the men under road traffic legislation, yet, when the driver produced all the necessary documentation, Section 44 came into play.
When John McCusker, the chairperson of one éirígí ciorcal in Belfast, arrived on the scene in support of the activists, he too was detained, searched and had his mobile phone seized on the spurious grounds that it was being used to “gather information likely to be of use to terrorists”.
The éirígí activists in question, including national vice-chairperson Rab Jackson, had just hung large anti-PSNI banners on the Falls and Springfield Roads prior to being stopped and searched. The text of the banners read RUC- PSNI: Different Name, Same Aim and British Police Out Of Ireland.
As the PSNI were leaving the scene, the officer in charge admitted that, far from investigating any ‘terrorist’ incident, the activists were actually detained for hanging banners critical of the force.
In response to the increased use of repressive legislation against the nationalist community and the harassment of its activists, éirígí has called a demonstration at the Andersonstown Barracks site in Belfast on Monday night at 6pm.
Speaking after the incident, John McCusker said: “The PSNI’s actions on Saturday morning were a prime example of what is wrong with British policing in Ireland. Using so-called anti-terror legislation to attempt to prevent people putting up banners exposes the deeply abnormal nature of British policing in the Six Counties. The fact that the PSNI have used Section 44 and similar legislation on at least 20,000 occasions in the last 12 months further illustrates that abnormality.
“The banners that were erected were designed to highlight the fact that, despite the change of name, the primary aim of the PSNI is exactly the same as the primary aim of the RUC – to protect the British occupation of the Six Counties. Ironically the actions of the PSNI this morning proved just that point. The type of heavy-handed political policing that we were subjected to is exactly the type of thing the RUC were infamous for.
“éirígí intends to step up its campaign against the PSNI over the coming weeks and months. Incidents like Saturday’s only increase our resolve to expose the unchanged nature of the PSNI. We are appealing for as many people as possible to join the protest in Andersonstown on Monday to demonstrate that nationalists and republicans won’t be intimidated by Britain’s police force in Ireland.”
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
éirígí: Worrying Times for Nationalists « Result #78 Yesterday at 11:06am »
Worrying Times for Vulnerable Nationalist Communities 05/02/10
éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has today [Friday] warned that vulnerable nationalist communities cannot be sacrificed to secure the transfer of limited justice and policing powers to Stormont.
Speaking following the announcement of a deal between the Six County establishment parties and the Dublin and London governments Leeson said: “While today’s announcement was heavy on spin, it was very light on detail. It is clear, however, that the DUP and Sinn Féin have agreed some form of trade-off on the issues of policing and sectarian marches.
“It is inconceivable that the DUP would have agreed to that trade-off without securing concessions on sectarian marches through nationalist areas. The position of those communities across the Six Counties which have steadfastly resisted sectarian marches must therefore be weaker today than it was yesterday.
“Sinn Féin, and to a lesser extent the SDLP, must now be asked what price have they have paid to the DUP and the British government. Have they agreed to sacrifice the people of the Garvaghy Road on the altar of British policing and justice?
“The document released at Stormont today outlines an 11 month process designed to address the issue of sectarian marches. Like many republicans and nationalists, I wonder if that process will not simply be a charade of consultation with the outcome already decided.
“We in éirígí unequivocally support the rights of all the people of Ireland to live their lives free from sectarian discrimination and harassment. To those communities who have bravely resisted sectarian marches in Portadown, on the Ormeau Road, in Dunloy, in Ardoyne and elsewhere, éirígí want to take this opportunity to extend our support, both moral and practical.”
On the issue of the limited transfer of powers to Stormont, Leeson continued: “I have no doubt that Sinn Féin and the SDLP will present today’s deal as some form of victory for nationalists and republicans. But instead of victory, today’s deal is nothing but the latest in a long line of defeats at the negotiation table.
“The most basic study of Irish history demonstrates that British governments have always been willing to allow loyal subjects to administer British rule in Ireland – once that loyalty has been established beyond question.
“Regardless of the so-called transfer of policing and justice, the PSNI will remain a British paramilitary force, administering British laws in support of the British legal and judicial system.
“Stormont can no more deliver on policing and justice than it can deliver on housing, healthcare, employment or education. Just like Leinster House in the Twenty-Six Counties, Stormont has failed and will continue to fail the people of Ireland.
“éirígí remains totally committed to building popular opposition to the PSNI and British rule in Ireland, an opposition which we intend to step up over the coming weeks and months.”
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
Céim ar Aghaidh, Céim ar Ais don Ghaeloideachas « Result #79 Yesterday at 11:04am »
Céim ar Aghaidh, Céim ar Ais don Ghaeloideachas 05/02/10
(English version follows.)
Bhí cúis cheiliúrtha ag tuismitheoirí agus ag múinteoirí i scoileanna Gaeilge an tseachtain seo caite nuair a d’aistarraing Roinn Oideachais na Sé Chondae Fichead Ciorclán 0044/2007 faoi dheireadh.
Thug an ciorclán, tugtha isteach ag an roinn in 2007, thug sé faoi bhonn a bhaint ón phróiseas luath-thumoideachais atá in úsáid go rathúil ag Gaelscoileanna ar fud na tíre. Chuir oideoirí agus tuismitheoirí ina éadan ón tús, agus thóg dhá scoil cás cúirte in aghaidh na roinne le cur in éadan tabhairt isteach an chiorcláin.
Dúirt Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, Ard-Rúnaí Fhoras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge go bhfuil “ard mholadh ag dul do na scoileanna seo, na hiarratasóirí sa chás leis an bhForas Pátrúnachta, a chuir chun cinn cás an luath-thumoideachas agus a thábhacht i bhforbairt acadúil agus sóisialta an dalta.
“Creideann an Foras Pátrúnachta go láidir sa chóras luath-thumoideachas a chleachtar inár gcuid scoileanna feictear ó lá go lá na buntáistí atá leis ó thaobh sealbhú teanga agus buntáistí ginearálta oideachasúil.”
Tá maíte ag aire oideachais na Sé Chondae Fichead Batt O’Keeffe freisin go bhfuil sé ag smaoineamh faoi chúrsa tumoideachais ceithre seachtaine a thabhairt isteach do dhaltaí iar-bhunscoile, rud ar cuireadh fáilte fhairsing roimhe chomh maith.
Ach an rud a thugtar le lámh amháin is, féidir baint leis an lámh eile. Go gar i ndiaidh an fhógra ar an chiorclán, mhaígh O’Keeffe go tobann go raibh Ollscoil na hÉireann [OÉ] le díscaoileadh.
Rinneadh an cinneadh chun €1 milliún [£871,000] suarach a shábháil, agus is iomaí ceist gan freagra atá fágtha, ról na Gaeilge i gcomhcholáistí OÉ amach anseo san áireamh.
Tá an Ghaeilge ar na riachtanais mháithreánacha d’OÉ Gaillimh, OÉ Maigh Nuad, Coláiste Ollscoile Chorcaí agus Coláiste Ollscoile BÁC, agus tá cur chun cinn scoláireacht agus taighde ar an Ghaeilge agus ar an chultúr Ghaelach, chomh maith le stair agus oidhreacht chultúrtha, mar chuid de shainchúraimí OÉ. Is cosúil go ndéanfaidh na coláistí aonair cinneadh ar na ceisteanna seo as seo amach, agus seans go dtitfidh stádas na Gaeilge arís eile má tá tuilleadh bearta costchiorruithe tugtha isteach.
Dúirt Ard-Rúnaí Chonradh na Gaeilge Julian de Spáinn go bhfuiltear ag súil go gcoinneoidh na hollscoileanna an Ghaeilge mar riachtanas iontrála, agus gur chóir sampla Shasana a sheachaint, áit ar cuireadh deireadh le dualgas teanga sna scoileanna agus a chonaic titim mhillteanach i líon na ndaltaí ag staidéir teangacha ag an dara leibhéal.
Sna Sé Chondae an tseachtain seo caite, bhí imeacht ag aire oideachais i reachtas Stormont na Breataine, Caitríona Ruane, bhí imeacht aici san áras comhairle glóirithe ag ceiliúradh daichead bliain den Ghaeloideachas sa stáitín.
D’oscail Bunscoil Phobal Feirste a doirse mí Mheán Fómhair 1971 don chéad naonúr daltaí, agus faoi láthair déanann freastal ar beagnach 300 páiste gach bliain. Seans go ndéanfadh duine ciniciúil machnamh ar an fháth gur tharla an imeacht breis agus bliain go leith roimh chomóradh na daicheadú bliain, go háirithe leis na deacrachtaí reatha i gcaomhnú réimis Stormont.
Ina hóráid, dúirt Ruane: “Déanaim comhghairdeas le Bunscoil Phobal Feirste agus le pobal na Gaeltachta as a gcéad 40 bliain de bheith ag soláthar oideachais inár dteanga dhúchais. Rinne an scoil cheannródaíoch seo dul chun cinn le fás an Ghaeloideachais i bpobal dinimiciúil rathúil.”
Ar ndóigh, dá mbeifeá ag fiafraí faoi sheasamh Ruane féin ar a leithéid de scoileanna ceannródaíocha, seasfaidh a diúltú aitheantas a thabhairt do Choláiste Speirín sa Chorr Chríochach mar thaifead dá tiomantas do fhás an Ghaeloideachais. I mí Dheireadh Fómhair anuraidh, dhiúltaigh Ruane do mholadh forbartha do Ghaelscoil i Machaire Fíolta freisin, scoil a d’fhéadfadh bheith ina scoil fhriothálach do Choláiste Speirín dá dtabharfaí deis don choláiste.
Ar shiúl ó shaol pholaitíocht na bunaíochta, an tseachtain seo caite seoladh clár Rith 2010, an rith sealaíochta atá eagraithe mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge.
Is é Korrika na mBascach an múnla don Rith, agus tosóidh sé i mBéal Feirste ar 9ú Márta, ag teannadh go Cathair na Gaillimhe do 17ú Márta, ag clúdach 1600km, ag taisteal tríd na cúig chúigí, cúig chondae dhéag agus 150 baile ar an bhealach.
Cosúil lena macasamhail Bhascach, beidh Rith ina ceiliúradh ar an teanga agus cultúr dúchais agus maraon ina thiomsú airgid do ghluaiseacht na teanga. Tarlóidh sé achan dara bliain agus rachaidh gach pingin a bhaileofar isteach i gciste neamhspleách ar mhaithe le cur chun cinn tograí Gaeilge ar fud na tíre.
Duine ar bith atá ag iarraidh bheith páirteach i Rith 2010, nó atá ag iarraidh tacú leis an tionscadal, is féidir leo tuilleadh a eolais a fháil ag www.rith.ie.
One Step Forward, One Step Back for Irish Language Education Parents and teachers in Irish-medium schools had cause to celebrate last week when the Twenty-Six County Department of Education and Science finally withdrew Circular 0044/2007.
The circular, introduced by the department in 2007, sought to undermine the early-immersion process that has been used successfully by Gaelscoileanna throughout the country. It was opposed from the beginning by educators and parents, and two schools took a court case against the department opposing the introduction of the circular.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, general secretary of Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge [the patronage body for Irish-medium schools], said: “We must recognise and thank these schools, who were the applicants with An Foras Pátrúnachta in the review, and who put forward the case for Early-Immersion Education and its importance to the academic and social development of the child.
“An Foras Pátrúnachta believes very strongly in the early-immersion system that is practised in our schools and, on a daily basis, we see its benefits in language acquisition and, indeed, overall educational performance.”
Twenty-Six County education minister Batt O’Keeffe has also announced that he is considering introducing a four-week immersion course for post-primary students, which has also been widely welcomed.
But what is given with one hand can also be taken away with the other. Shortly after the announcement on the circular, O’Keeffe suddenly announced that the National University of Ireland [NUI] was to be dissolved.
The decision was made in order to save a paltry €1 million [£871,000] a year, and has left a mountain of unanswered questions, not least of which is the future position of the Irish language in NUI’s constituent colleges.
NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, University College Cork and University College Dublin all include Irish as part of their matriculation requirements, and part of NUI’s remit also includes the promotion of scholarship and research into Irish language and culture, as well as history and cultural heritage. Decisions on these issues will likely now be made by individual colleges, with the chance that the position of the Irish language could suffer further if more cost-cutting measures are introduced.
Conradh na Gaeilge general secretary Julian de Spáinn said: “We would hope that the universities that were under NUI retain the Irish language as an entry requirement. It would make sense to avoid the example of our nearest neighbour, England, which removed language learning as an obligation in the schools and has seen the numbers of students taking languages at second level fall catastrophically.”
In the Six Counties last week, Caitríona Ruane, education minister in Britain’s Stormont administration, recently held an event in the glorified council building celebrating the 40th anniversary of Irish-medium education in the statelet.
Bunscoil Phobal Feirste opened its doors in September 1971 to the first nine pupils, and currently caters for almost 300 children every year. A cynical person might wonder why the event was held more than a year and a half before the actual 40th anniversary, especially given the current difficulties in propping up the Stormont regime.
In her speech, Ruane said: “I warmly congratulate Bunscoil Phobal Feirste and the gaeltacht community on their first 40 years of providing education in what is our native language. This pioneering school has led the growth of Irish medium education in a thriving dynamic community.”
Of course, if one were looking for Ruane’s own position on such pioneering schools, her refusal to give recognition to Coláiste Speirín in Cookstown will stand as a record of her commitment to the growth of Irish-medium education. In October last year, Ruane also turned down the development proposal for a Gaelscoil in Magherafelt, which could have been another feeder school for Coláiste Speirín if the college had been given a chance.
Away from the world of establishment politics, last week also saw the launch of the programme for Rith 2010, the relay-run being organised as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Rith is modelled on the Basque Korrika, and will begin in Belfast on March 9, making its way to Galway City for March 17, covering 1600km, travelling through all four provinces, 15 counties and 150 towns on its way.
Like its Basque counterpart, Rith will be a celebration of the native language and culture as well a fundraiser for the language movement. It will take place every two years and all money raised will go into an independent fund for the development of Irish language projects throughout the country.
Anyone looking to participate in Rith 2010 or who would like to support the initiative in some way can find out more at www.rith.ie.
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
éirígí: Workers in Struggle « Result #81 Yesterday at 11:02am »
Workers in Struggle 03/02/10
13,000 More on the Dole
Figures released today [Wednesday] by the Twenty-Six County Central Statistics Office have revealed that the number of workers signing on jumped by 13,341 in January.
On average, 430 people a day have lost their jobs since the start of the year.
434,700 people in the Twenty-Six Counties are now without regular work; when the figures from the Six Counties are added to this, the national total of unemployed workers stands at over a half a million.
In the Twenty-Six Counties, one in three young men are unemployed, while many more are facing that most Irish of career moves: emigration.
éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson said the Dublin government was presiding over a national crisis.
“The Twenty-Six County government has watched from the sidelines while company after company has closed its doors on workers and left tens of thousands of families staring into a poverty stricken future. Not only this, but the same government has used working people’s money to provide a safety net for the business class, all while drawing up plans for viscous attacks on public services.
“Meanwhile, in the Six Counties, the establishment parties have been able to secure an extra £1 billion [€1.1 billion] for their pet project of policing and justice but not one penny for laid-off workers or the under-funded health and education services.
“The politicians in power in this country couldn’t care less about the plight of those who have lost their livelihoods. It is only when working people begin to take determined, united action that they will sit up and take notice.”
The Dublin government should reduce the minimum wage by more than 10 per cent to “protect jobs in the hospitality sector”, the Twenty-Six County Committee on Enterprise and Employment has heard.
Chief executive of the Restaurants Association Adrian Cummins claimed Irish restaurants paid catering staff the highest rates in Europe.
However, Mr Cummins was not as forthcoming on what his own wage rate is and what type of pay cut he is willing to take to demonstrate leadership in ‘these worrying times’.
Tens of thousands of health workers in the Twenty-Six Counties are preparing to take industrial action within weeks over the Dublin government’s public spending cuts.
Trade union Impact has confirmed it formally served notice on the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it will start the action – including a possible walkout – a week from next Monday.
The union, which has 30,000 health workers among its membership, said the threatened action was down to cuts in public sector pay, pension benefits and jobs.
It warned the action would continue until pay cuts are reversed and the threats to make further cuts are withdrawn.
Impact also said it may escalate action if the HSE took any measures against workers involved.
The planned industrial action includes a refusal to co-operate with new work practices, carry out certain duties, work overtime as well as possible work stoppages and strike action.
Fujitsu workers in Belfast have been protesting in the city centre as part of their strike action over jobs, pay and pensions.
Members of Unite at the Japanese electronics giant are involved in a dispute with the firm over job cuts, a pay freeze and pension changes.
About 30 people were outside Marks and Spencers in Belfast city centre handing out leaflets to shoppers. The firm provides IT services to the high street chain.
Fujitsu has about 400 staff in Belfast and 100 in Derry.
One of them is Malcolm Turner, who was told last year that the company was making him redundant after 11 years with the firm.
He said that his dismissal had been delayed until the end of January.
“I was told in November that I would be going on 11 December, just in time for Christmas, but I am being retained until later in January,” he said.
“It doesn't make sense, they are going to need skilled people when the economy turns up.
“The company is not doing badly at the moment as well, it's aiming at a profit of £100m for this year. It's not in the red, but very much in the black.”
Strike action by the union continued today [Friday].
Twenty-Six County taoiseach Brian Cowen has confirmed that his government intends to proceed with cuts in public sector workers’ pay.
Cowen made the announcement after the failure of negotiations with trade union leaders this week.
At a Cairde Fáil dinner last night [Friday], which was attended by not many public sector workers but quite a few wealthy business people, Cowen said: “At a time when the cost of living is decreasing, we have a once-off opportunity to make a structural adjustment in wages and welfare payments while making least impact on real standards of living.
“The burden of adjustment will be borne by everyone and the government will attempt to be as fair as possible in all aspects of the budget and we will lead from the front in that respect.”
However, unions said the Dublin government’s proposed reform of the public sector would be dead in the water if pay cuts on already financially struggling workers were implemented.
Teachers Union of Ireland general secretary Peter MacMenamin said “social partnership now lies dead on the floor of Government Buildings,” after the failure of negotiations.
Just weeks after revealing plans to upgrade the Tarbert power station in County Kerry, Spanish energy company Endesa Ireland has caused dismay by announcing plans to cut its workforce.
The Spanish company, which bought the former ESB electricity generating station two years ago, has entered into talks with unions to cut the company’s workforce at Tarbert from 90 to 55.
It is understood that Endesa may also look for a cut in staff at its plant in Great Island in Wexford.
Three weeks ago, plans by Endesa to upgrade and convert the diesel-powered station at Tarbert to a gas-powered facility were deemed to be a strategic infrastructure development of national importance to energy supply.
John Fox, of Tarbert Development Association, said 240 people had been employed at Tarbert Island five or six years ago, but the workforce had been gradually reduced over the years. It was down to 126 last year.
Yet, still the Twenty-Six County government refuses to take responsibility for harnessing and generating energy supplies for the benefit of the population.
Unemployment across the 16 European states that use the euro has hit its highest level since December 1998.
The seasonally adjusted official rate for the euro-zone was 9.8 per cent in October, with overall numbers on the dole up to 15.5 million people across the economic region.
Across the 27-state EU as a whole, there are now at least 22.5 million people unemployed.
Compared to September, that meant an extra 134,000 out of work in the euro area, whereas the EU figures rose by 258,000.
Compared to one year earlier, there were more than 3.1 million more people unemployed in the euro-zone and 5 million more across the full bloc.
Unemployment among the under 25s has now stretched to more than one in five people in the EU.
Strangely, the eventual ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has failed to stymie the rising tide of unemployment.
In England, workers in one of the country’s biggest steel-making towns were dealt a savage blow yesterday [Friday] with news that a giant plant is to be mothballed with the loss of 1,700 jobs.
The plant owner, Corus, claimed it had been unable to secure the long-term future of the Teeside factory.
The notion that there can be some form of ‘social solidarity’ between workers and those who exploit them took another blow today [Thursday] with the news that IBEC is withdrawing from the Twenty-Six County pay agreement.
The employers’ organisation also threatened to withdraw entirely from the terms of the ‘social partnership’ scheme if unions do not bow to its demands in the near future.
IBEC said there should be no pay rises before 2011 and claimed it would take unilateral action if no agreement was reached with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions between now and mid-December.
Attempting to justify its drive to keep wages down, IBEC director general Danny McCoy made what must rank as one of the most shame faced statements of the year when he claimed: “We now owe it to ourselves and to future generations to... face up to the challenges ahead.”
If IBEC succeeds, unborn generations of bankers, gangsters and liquidisers will doubtless be in its debt.
Nearly 200 jobs were lost last night [Wednesday] as the largest tour operator in the Twenty-Six Counties was placed into liquidation by the High Court in Dublin.
Budget Travel, which has operated since 1975, shut up shop leaving 172 workers without employment.
In more bad news, car dealer EP Mooney has gone into provisional liquidation with the loss of 93 jobs.
The company has 11 franchises and five showrooms in the Dublin area.
In the past year, bosses at the firm had already cut staff numbers from 250 to 93.
As public sector workers in the Twenty-Six Counties prepare for a one-day state-wide strike on November 24, trade union leaders have admitted that sustained action may be necessary to their demands.
The details for the strike were announced yesterday [Thursday], with Impact general secretary Peter McLoone saying the level of emergency cover on November 24 would be “tightly defined”.
McLoone said there was now little prospect of the strike being averted and warned that “further stoppages may be necessary to stop a second cut in public service pay in the forthcoming budget”.
Unite secretary Jimmy Kelly also said yesterday that a sustained campaign was necessary “beyond a one-day strike”, while Civil Public & Services Union general secretary Blair Horan said he believed a one-day stoppage would not be enough to persuade the Dublin government to change course.
Psychiatric Nurses Association general secretary Des Kavanagh said its officer board had decided to take part in the strike subject to this being confirmed in a ballot result due today [Friday].
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
“If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
éirígí: Bloody Sunday 2010 – Set the Truth Free « Result #83 Yesterday at 10:58am »
Bloody Sunday 2010 – Set the Truth Free 01/02/10
In one of the largest Bloody Sunday commemorations of recent years, thousands of people marched through Derry City yesterday [Sunday] in solidarity with the families of the dead and the injured.
Tracing the route of the original civil rights demonstration, marchers departed from Creggan Shops and made their way through the cold winter’s day to William Street where, in 1972, the march was stopped on its way to the Guildhall.
Around 150 éirígí activists and supporters took part in the march.
On arrival at William Street, the driving rain and dark skies set a sombre scene of remembrance for those who were butchered by the British Parachute Regiment close to that spot.
On the stage, relatives of each of the 14 dead, along with the wounded, briefly recounted the pain that had been inflicted upon their families and demanded that the British government admit the truth of what happened on January 30, 1972.
Following a minute’s silence, John Kelly, whose brother Michael was shot dead by the Paras, read a statement from all of the Bloody Sunday families.
Kelly demanded that the long-delayed Saville Report be published immediately and expressed concern that the report will be seen by the British government and the British Ministry of Defence before even the families of the dead will see it.
“They say that patience is a virtue and we’ve shown great patience but our patience is now wearing very thin indeed,” he said.
“We’ve had delay after delay waiting for the report of the Bloody Sunday inquiry. For the past few years we’ve hoped that the report would be released only to have our hopes dashed.”
éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith said the determination of the Bloody Sunday families was an inspiration to all those campaigning for justice.
“Judging by the large attendance at yesterday’s march, it is clear that nationalist Ireland will not allow the British government’s dodging of the blame for what happened on Bloody Sunday to rest,” he said.
“It is totally unacceptable that the British establishment will have access
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