MIN THE FRAN IS T8 1969-79 A new pamphlet by Geoff Bell with cartoons by which allalyses bipartisanship over the last ten years. It is available from The Other Bookshop, Upper St., London N1, cost 40p + 10p post. Bulk rates available on request.
Socialist Challenge 9 August 1979 POLITICAL PRISONER NO MATE 63 AN O , 328 comrades whole.
country.
not now.
HOL JOW.
situations withdrew forward theoretical yet? steps I'LL make the assumption that most present hold a common theoretical viewpoint, one based on Leninist concept of: self-determination for the Irish people as a Many, not only on the left, pay lip service to this principle and say, yes, we would like to see Labour, Liberals, even Tories would probably say, yes, in the long term, we would like to see a united Ireland. Then they add - but Similarly with the case for troops out. Most people say, yes, we think that the troops have to get out...but For the bourgeoisie the usual argument - not just as applied to but in other imperialist - is predictable: there would be a blood bath if troops now, the natives aren't capable of ruling themselves.
But what is the argument the Communist Party - puts when says that the view of Irish determination applies...but not just For an answer, let's examine what the British Road to Socialism says: 'a democratic solution, based on the implementation of a Bill of Rights, the end to all repressive measures, the withdrawal of troops to barracks, and financial and other measures to begin to tackle the appalling problems of poverty and unemployment These would which sectarian strife could be ended internment and beatings...an end to discrimination...it would mean the security forces would be made to people behaviour.' So if a Bill of Rights was passed all these nasty things would cease. But even today there are forbid torture in the North of Ireland yet we all know that torture goes on There are laws discrimination; discrimination continues. There are murder by memeers of the Sprevent are meant the murders go on and the murderers get off scot free if these previous European Courts and cannot preverit what is not supposed happen difference will a Bill of Rights make? I would like clarification on that so too on withdrawal of troops to barracks'. I would argue that this is a meaningless formulation. There is house between You are either for the British troops staying in Ireland, or you are against. British troops were stationed in Irish barracks in August 1969: As soon as Callaghan said, onto the streets you go, on they went.
Another point made in the British Road to Socialism is that the British government. should and other measures unemployment. I would like to see theBritish government pour in billions of pounds to wipe out the 12 per cent unemployment rate and the one in three poverty rate. But to imagine that British imperialism that is to spread the most amazing illusions as to what the role of British imperialism in Ireland is.
So does this amount to? It runs: if a Bill of Rights is passed which wipes out torture, the troops are withdrawn to barracks, if all these taken and if this ended sectarian strife, then the British troops could be withdrawn. To lay down those sorts of conditions for troop withdrawal is to put off the day for that withdrawal way beyond the foreseeable future.
What is the theory problem their laws which which forbid we at know taken - but Sometimes Stormont, laws and all the rest happening, the advocacy of 'the very halfway and Britain give "financial to tackle evidence would ever do conflict.
in this way financial measures are national unresolved.
AS behind this 1S We all agree that in the North o WOKe fight workers workers march against workers, vot against workers. We have to ask wh this is the case.
Some say it is a religious war, but don't imagine many here believe tha so I won't bother answering it. Other say the conflict is over the desire of th Loyalists to remain with Britain. T answer that, all that is needed is to cit the different stands Loyalists hav on the link with Britain they have independent Ulster, sometimes, VI semi-independence. 1914 Loyalist leader Edward Carsoi even threatened to make an allianc with Germany against Britain.
So why are the workers in th North of Ireland so illogical as to figh each other? They are not illogical a all, for what they are fighting for ar real, practical and ver political things.
Political in the sense that they ar fighting over whether the Irish peopl have the right, the immediate right, to rule themselves. The Loyalists say no the Republicans say yes, the Britist government says no. This is the basi.
conflict the unresolver national question Let us take this one step furthe and examine why this question rouse the feelings it does. As Marxists w look for a material base. I could quot figures showing how Protestants hav proportionally more jobs, better job Delter nouses than Catholics. All the is there government figures and I needn't labour the point, but such is the material base of the The border, the undemocratic nature of the Northern Ireland state, guarantees these differentials And because the conflict is posed - the national question as it fundamentally affects both sections working class the Irish working class will remain divided, as they always have been, while the question remains proof, members of the Communist Party should examine how their own programme has fared We are told that the CP-inspired
SHOULD British troops be withdrawn from Speaking for immediate withdrawal was Board of Socialist Challenge. Against was assistant editor of the