THE IRA's statement on the English bombs declared:
"To the English people. We responsible for the widespread bombing attacks in your country on Sunday and Monday morning [17 and 18 remain complacent because of the nature of these attacks. We deliberately choose 'Your intelligence will conproblems which, however, we believe we can overcome.
"We now give due warning to you, the English people, that in still tiny by Lacucal question For instance, a steady it growth says Pro- une working bombs exploded in colonial power'.
DEBATE effect will Certainly Unfortunately, whether to the struggling for.
self-evident that if should be trying, for liberation.
LICH
solidarity country the future both the targets and the timing might be changed. *For 10 years our people have sentations of successive Governments have considerable restraint. *We now ask you: Who are we to hold accountable for murder in And we warn you, almost certainly will severity of our future attacks to the performance of soldiers and the administration in Seen in this political context, struggle the bombs and the statement the Provisionals explaining the bombs become a policy.
in a comment on the bombs the Provisionals Belfast newspaper Republican HOSCIUIS extension of the struggle will activity provoke debate on Ireland by class of the this uncer "debate' will occur, but what kind of debate?
for many prising that British workers the 'debate' will be more likely to centre on shoot or hang Provisionals, rather than on the Provisionals are In this sense the bombs are a diversion from what socialists in this country are trying, or the justice of the Irish struggle The history of the Irish anG movement in this ionals shows that when bombs go off, less people are prepared to demonstrate support of the Irish liberation brutality considering civilian casualties. exercised *Politicians increased gle for should be gear the humanity occupied of Ireland.' and less political debate takes place in the labour movement on Britain's Irish Indeed it is only comparatively recently that Sinn Fein in Drain nas oeen willing - are! the a gap of a couple of years All İrish Republicans - and even vague sympathisers - in country face deportation Prevention Terrorism Act; bombs give the British authorities the excuse to use those powers.
as more explode fewer DCO DIE al t willing to stick their necks out.
A solidarity movement which can be defined movement composed of those willing to be active on Ireland on the side of the Irish people - is built by persuasion, by argument ovazanen It cannot be built by force or by threats. By planting bombs threatening 'heavy civilian casualties' the Provisput ina solidarity movement at risk.
may the Provisionals have decided that of such a risk is worth taking; that, We ar Sheffield THE STRUGGLE for a revolutiona SOCIALS CHALLENGE now nas: stock of attractive hessian bags with two designs: in black, fight racism: ir paim our 108012.2 main Good mall side -it in doubt order a large £1.50 from our offices or £1.75 inc p&p 'Furthermore, any acts of against defenceless of war would force uS into inflicting heavy who call for repression as counter-measure to our strugnational liberation aware that they gamble with English lives. 'We want peace but there will be no end to violence until the English people exercise a bit of and get their administration at all levels out reality, the Size and significance of Irish solidarity is such that there is not really a great acal al slane Certainly the unwillingess of majority of the working class to take up the cause of Ireland, and the open pro-imperialist views Labour Party and the Communist Party, are enough to try anyone's patience.
ALTERNATIVE
But the question remains: Is the planting of bombs a viable alternative? Will it produce a clamour for troop withdrawal? Or will it, as it has done in the past, be effectively used by and supporters in une working clas: movement to confuse the issue, to stille debate supporters of Irish liberation? Only time will tell. But it could be that if the Provisionals carry out the threats contained in their statement then Roy Mason will find it a lot easier to attract support in the British a bour movement for mis ponc repression than seemed possible just four weeks ago.
DESIGNER recured work Socialist Challenge/ Fl Litho Must be politically committe Knowledge of printing and production techniques, especially platemaking, an advantage Apply in writing to Fl Litho 328/9 Upper St, London N1 For ring 01-359 8288
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