|
 |
The Plough
(Web site http://www.theplough.netfirms.com/)
Vol. 4- No 20
Friday 7th September 2007
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1) Editorial
2) Party conference
3) Alternative Processes
4) MI5 moves in permanently
5) Mickey Devine Commemoration 2007
6) Which Hat For Which Party?
7) Letters
i. Repatriate Noel Maguire
ii. 30%Wage cuts!
8) From the newspapers
a. ‘Brute force’ or the more things change!
b. Life since Troubles 'got worse'
c. 'Unethical practices' at Guantanamo Bay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial
We are saddened to hear of the death of John Kelly, a life long
republican who spent over 15 years in jail for his political
activities. John was a principled man, seemingly a rare thing now in
Irish politics. With the split in 69 John helped found the
provisional movement but left when he could no longer take the many
twists and turns of its leadership. During the arms trial he said
summing up the mood of most northern nationalists in 69,
“We did not ask for blankets or feeding bottles. We asked for guns
and no one from Taoiseach Lynch down denied our request or told us
this was contary to Government policy.”
Irish republicanism is the poorer for his passing.
Party news
The IRSP held an All – Party Conference recently to update the
membership on the progress made by the Ard-Comhairle since its
election last year. Details of new structures were given to the
membership and the progress made in implementing party decisions.
All sessions held were open to comments and questions from the Party
members present. A full and frank discussion took place in all the
sessions but in a comradely and fraternal manner. An open debate
took place in the afternoon session on the recent united Wolfe Tone
march at Bodenstown and there was widespread agreement on the
party’s position towards “republican unity”. Also all comrades were
updated on the progress made by the Committee organising this year’s
Seamus Costello Commemoration and Dinner in Bray.
All comrades left the conference re-energised and totally committed
to the tasks ahead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Processes
(Recently on the 18th of August the YRSM held a meeting on
alternative processes to the Good Friday Agreement. The Republican
Socialist Youth Movement over the the past year has been attempting
to reach out to all Socialist, Republican and progressive
organisations and individuals. One tenet of this outreach has been a
debate on the Good Friday Agreement and whether or not it can attain
the goals of a united Socialist Ireland.
After months of work this culminated in a debate held in Belfast on
the Good Friday Agreement. The debate was attended by SDLP Youth,
Labour Youth, Eirigi and the RSYM, though invitations had been
extended to all Republican and Socialist youth organisations.
The central theme of the debate for those opposed to the Good Friday
Agreement was that there contains no mechanism within for Irish
unity, never mind Socialism. It has proven to be a political cul de
sac far, from ending sectarianism, sectarianism has actually
increased in the period following the signing of the Good Friday
Agreement.
It was also affirmed Stormont has no power to call for a referendum
on Irish unity, it can only make recommendation to Westminster.
There are obstacles in the way before that point is ever reached, if
ever. Namely, the Unionists have a veto enshrined within the Good
Friday Agreement and the fact there is no definition of the majority
that would need to be attained. A follow up meeting will hopefully
be called in the near future to discuss how to bring the issues
discussed at the 'Alternative Processes' meeting forward.
THE YRSM POSITION
Hopefully this small step in debating and analysing the present
situation here will have repercussions beyond this room. With that
in mind, I’ll briefly surmise the politics of the Republican
Socialist Youth Movement. It is our view that Republicanism had
suffered a staggering defeat. The blame lies not with Adams or
McGuinness but at the door of the British government. From early on,
the British government were very aware of their role in Ireland and
what was necessary to reach an agreement, which would solidify
Stormont at a later date. As early as 1972, the British government
had reached a consensus that they would need individuals prominent
within Sinn Féin today to be part of this internal settlement and to
work it but individuals whom the British considered “inflexible”
such as Daithí Ó Conaill and Ruairí Ó Bradaigh would have to be
marginalised.
The Good Friday Agreement is an internal and colonial settlement to
the constitutional question here in Ireland. It is a sectarian
agreement that institutionalises and has heightened sectarianism.
This is illustrated by the fact there are more ‘peace walls’ at
present than prior to the agreement. It was presented to Loyalists
as a strengthening of the union and to Republicans as a stepping
stone to a united Ireland. The former is certainly true - the GFA
enshrines the Unionist veto and contains no mechanism for the
attainment of a united Ireland.
It is our belief and our desire that this setback can be overcome.
It is very clear that Sinn Féin wish to satisfy the broad
nationalist electorate. They have embarked on this process by
successfully emulating the politics of the SDLP. However, any
Republican position we put forward at this time should be on a
clear, open and honest political basis. It is our opinion there are
no conditions for armed struggle at present. Likewise, no basis
exists at present for decommissioning - as long as the state retains
their army, we republicans will have ours too.
The premise that the present political process will persuade
Unionists of the virtues of a united Ireland is largely based upon a
falsehood. The Unionist outreach we see at the moment is an appeal
to the most reactionary sections of Unionism, it has been tried
before by Michael Collins when he was TD for Armagh and failed
miserably. It is no surprise that the DUP can go into government
easily with Sinn Féin for when the national question is taken out of
the equation it’s very clear that there are no fundamental economic
differences in Sinn Féin and DUP policy.
Since the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, sectarian
incidents have increased significantly with academic research coming
from Queens University and elsewhere suggesting that it could be as
far away as 2030 before any meaningful change develops concerning
the segregation of working class communities - this is a far cry
from ‘a united Ireland by 2016’. It is true that we can’t bomb and
shoot our way into a united Ireland. Certainly in the case of the
RSM, that wouldn’t be our intention.
It was often asked during the policing debates for Republicans to
outline their alternative. We did so but the resounding attitude and
subsequent raising of the same question can only be considered to be
carefully choreographed act aimed at suggesting that we lack any
real politics. The alternative is very simple. Policing is
inherently political. The duty of any police force is to uphold the
capitalist state and the right of private property. No Republican or
Socialist worthy of the name can accept a police force of that
nature. We believe that the state should continue to be resisted.
Capitalism and partition can offer no solution to the plight of
ordinary working class people.
Seán McGowan.
Republican Socialist Youth Movement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MI5 moves in permanently
MI5 operatives have started moving into their brand new regional
headquarters costing at least £20 millions at Maryfield, near
Holywood. It is MI5's biggest facility outside of London and can
employ up to 400 operatives on its premises.. MI5 now have overall
responsibility for British national security in the North and will
take the lead in what it calls “counter-terrorist activity” (read
anti –imperialist resistance ) and
Intelligence gathering. The loss of intelligence gathering by the
Special Branch, (PSNI/RUC) was hailed as a victory, by Sinn Fein
(Provisional Wing) but they neglected to mention MI5’S new powers.
This is similar to the way they crowed about the closing down of
interrogation centres such as at Castlereagh but failed to disclose
the building of a new interrogation centre at Antrim, the existence
of which was first exposed by the IRSP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micky Devine Commemoration 2007
(Over 500 people attended the commemoration in Derry of INLA
Volunteer Micky Devine. 26 years since his death the people of Derry
turned out in great numbers to remember one of their bravest sons. A
masked INLA Colour Party led the march from Creggan Shops. This was
followed by relatives of Micky Devine carrying wreaths. They in turn
were followed by the newly formed Derry based Seamus Costello
Memorial Flute Band. The oration was delivered by Gerard Forward of
the Ard Comhairle of the IRSP.)
Friends and comrades,
I am delighted to be given the honour to be here today, to remember
with you, the heroic sacrifice of INLA Volunteer Michael Devine.
I didn’t know him but I have grown up in very difficult times. So
did Micky. Micky was only a teenager when the RUC batoned civil
rights protesters off the streets of this city in 1968. He was there
on Duke Street on that day, 5th October and witnessed at first hand
the brutality of the Unionist ruling classes against the working
class people of Derry. He was there also on Bloody Sunday and again
witnessed a more horrific event unfold when the British Army ran
amok through the Bogside killing fourteen of his friends and
neighbours. He later wrote from his cell in Long Kesh about how that
day changed him forever.
He became aware that the only way the Irish working class was to be
freed was when the British got out of Ireland and it was to this end
that he dedicated the rest of his short life.
But Micky also knew that just getting rid of the Brits was never
going to be enough. For he was a socialist as well as a republican
and held deepwithin him a desire for justice. It was with these
beliefs that Micky chose to join the Republican Socialist Movement.
He became involved in the military effort as well as the political
work. He was a model revolutionary who never shirked from his
commitment.
These past few months have seen great changes on the political
landscape of the north. Sinn Fein now sit on the Stormont executive
that they once proclaimed should be smashed. They now advocate
support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland when in reality
nothing has changed within that force since the days of the RUC. The
Irish Republican Socialist Movement reject this path wholeheartedly.
Despite massive media and political pressure to do so, we, the Irish
Republican Socialist Movement will never accept an internal six
county settlement. Too many lives were lost fighting for the
republic, too many families denied fathers, mothers, sons and
daughters. We are not saying
this is an easy road to take, in fact to the contrary this is a more
difficult course of action. Republicanism is nowhere near the
strength it
was when Micky and his nine brave comrades died in Long kesh but
recently there has been a renewed confidence and hope.
We are proud to have once held within our ranks the likes of Micky
Devine. We are still inspired by his resolve to not suffer defeat.
Because no matter what the Brits threw at Micky he was never
defeated. He grew stronger and rose above their pettiness. Comrades,
it is our task today to leave this cemetery and further the work
that Micky began when he became actively involved in politics as a
teenager in the 1960’s and 70’s. Follow Micky’s example and carry on
the struggle for our communities, get involved in campaigns locally
to better the lives of your neighbours, fight the water tax, join
the fight to get Raytheon out of Derry, fight for better working
conditions and fight for the political prisoners in Maghaberry who
are suffering terrible conditions as we speak.
Comrades there is a lot of work to be done and there no easy way
forward but rest assured that if we all follow the ideals of Micky
Devine then that task becomes all the more easier.
Victory to the Irish Working Class!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHICH HAT FOR WHICH PARTY?
On the 23rd August 2007, along with another comrade, I attended the
Coiste na nlarchimi, Scoil Samhraidh/ Summer School in South Armagh.
The school ran from 22nd August to the 24th August, both dates
inclusive, but it was the session on the morning of the 23rd which
was to be of paramount interest to myself. The title was; The Cause
of Labour: Irish Republicanism and the Workers Struggle which was
followed in the afternoon by an equally interesting debate on Irish
Republicanism and Women’s Struggle. For the reasons outlined below
it is the morning session which I shall focus on.
Sinn Fein (Provisional) had a sizable presence and I was interested
to hear what their members who are also trade union representatives
had to say. It came as no surprise that a number of trade union
representatives present were also members of Sinn Fein and, I might
add, very able trade unionists at that is how they came across.
Given Sinn Fein’s broad church and cross class alliance membership
it came as no surprise that some of their leftwards thinkers would
also be involved in the ranks of organised labour. As is customary
at these events when the speakers had finished the meeting was open
to the floor for questions and contributions which were very broad
and deep in their nature making for an intense and healthy debate.
As is often the case with these events it was only on the drive back
to Dublin that a number of very prudent points crossed my mind. Even
though I had contributed to the debate I only was wishing that these
issues which had now come to mind had surfaced in the meeting hall.
Within the ranks of Sinn Fein there is a left and right wing, for
the want of a better description, with the left taking up positions
within the trade union movement. However their non left wing and
right wing membership also hold positions totally opposite in their
interests to organised labour. Some are small to medium sized
employers and others hold managerial roles in larger companies. What
then if a scenario arose, which is certainly possible, where a
dispute flared up at a company where the trade union representatives
were also Sinn Fein members and activists and, low and behold, so
are those representing the interests of the company. Where does this
leave the two opposing ideals? Equally which side does Sinn Fein as
a party take given the fact that they often champion the cause of
labour? What if the company in question was a contributor to the
party’s war chest? Equally poignant what if the industrial
combatants were members of the same Cumann or Cumainn? Which hat
would either side wear? Would those representing the interests of
big business, including profits, decide that in line with what the
party claims to be policy they would back the workers as opposed to
the interests of the company they serve? Or would the trade union
side try to persuade the workers to water down their demands and go
back to work? What if the action the workers were taking was to
escalate into strike action and the employers decided to take
disciplinary action against the strikers and expecting all levels of
management, Sinn Fein members or otherwise, to implement this
disciplinary code? What would the consequences of such a scenario,
especially if it was on a large scale, hold for Sinn Fein? Would the
left wing stand firm and support without reservations the workforce?
Would the right wing, or those involved remembering this is only a
scenario though a possibility, forget the interests of the company
for the sake of party unity? What would Sinn Fein’s policy be if the
company in dispute with its workforce was a major contributor to the
party? An interesting scenario to say the least.
Perhaps the Olive branch of an answer could be found in a situation
Christy McQuillan, SIPTU, found himself in at Dublin Airport not, I
must add, to do with the dual interests outlined above. He referred
to a potential dispute involving baggage handlers which he was
representative of. The upshot of the case was that Aer Lingus
management were asking the staff to move locations where they would
be working. The baggage handlers wanted more money for this
alteration, the company refused and the union was called in. To cut
a long story short he looked at the employees’ case and concluded
that they did not have a case because the new work they would be
doing was “easier” than what they were previously engaged in, the
working environment was safer and cleaner and conditions were
generally better all round. Christy concluded that it is not always
the case where the workers are right and the bosses wrong. He
persuaded the workers involved that their arguments for more money
carrying out easier work were unreasonable. I would personally
differ but that is another matter.
Back then to the nightmare scenario for the Sinn Fein union
representatives and members of management. Could they, union reps
and management, transfer Christy McQuillans notion that the workers
are not always “right” and sometimes have to be told so and, using
this theory, concoct a deal which would make the workers demands
look unreasonable while at the same time squeezing a few minor
concessions out of the company? This way, providing the illusion had
been drawn behind closed doors, it could be painted as a partial
victory for the workers without, in reality, costing the firm
anything of consequence. This way again party unity could be
maintained with the left claiming, tongue in cheek, to have stood by
the workforce and the right wing could sit smug knowing they had
conceded nothing. Could such a scenario, if it ever arose, be a
case, yet again, of labour must wait in favour of national and class
unity?
Kevin Morley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letters
Repatriate Noel Maguire
We are urging everyone, friends, members and concerned individuals
to assist in our efforts to continue the pressure on the 26 County
Government to Repatriate Noel Maguire from England to jails in the
26 counties as is his right. The names and addresses and sample
letter is below so you can use the sample letter provided, reword it
or write your own.Write or e-mail to
Brian Lenihan
Minister for Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
94 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
Phone: + 353 1 602-8202
Email : pagemaster@justice.ie
Constituency Office
Laurel Lodge Shopping Centre
Dublin 15
Phone: + 353 1 822-0970
Addresses to send letters to Contact in USA
EMBASSY OF IRELAND, WASHINGTON DC
ADDRESS:
Embassy of Ireland
2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
TELEPHONE: (202) 462 3939 FAX: (202) 232 5993
CONSULATE GENERAL, NEW YORK
ADDRESS:
Consulate General of Ireland
Ireland House
345 Park Avenue
17th Floor
New York NY 10154-0037
TELEPHONE:
General Information - (212) 319 2555 FAX: Consulate : - (212) 980
9475 E- MAIL: congenny@AOL.com
================================================== ============
CONSULATE GENERAL, CHICAGO
ADDRESS:
Consulate General of Ireland
400 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 911
Chicago, IL 60611
TELEPHONE: (312) 337.1868 FAX: (312) 337 1954 E- MAIL:
irishconsulate@sbcglobal.net
================================================== ==============
CONSULATE GENERAL, SAN FRANCISCO
ADDRESS:
Consulate General of Ireland
100 Pine St., 33rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
TELEPHONE: (415) 392 4214 FAX: (415) 392 0885 E- MAIL: irishcgsf@earthlink.net
================================================== ==============
CONSULATE GENERAL OF IRELAND, BOSTON
ADDRESS:
Consulate General of Ireland
535 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
TELEPHONE (617) 267 9330 FAX: (617) 267 6375 E- MAIL: irlcons@aol.com
Sample letter
Dear Sir
I write to you on behalf of the Noel Maguire as it concerns his
repatriation back to Ireland from a British jail and your refusal to
accept Noels application thus seemingly stripping him of his Irish
Citizenship and the civil rights that are associated with it.
It is unconscionable that the Irish government continues to refuse
to repatriate Noel. It is claimed that he has no close relatives
living in the 26 counties, this is untrue as Noel's wife and their
two children in fact live within an hour’s drive of Portlaoise
Prison in Co Laois and are willing to visit him should he be
repatriated. He also has two sisters and a brother in Ireland.
Noel Maguire - who is from Co Fermanagh but hold a valid 26 County
passport more than qualifies for repatriation on the grounds of the
European Directive as an Irish National.
His mental and physical health must be close to breaking point with
the way he is being unfairly treated these continued delays which
are tantamount to psychological torture.
On humanitarian grounds I ask that the decision to refuse
repatriation be reconsidered and he can return home to serve his
sentence and be closer to his family.
Please act now!
Thank you.
30%Wage cuts!
From: Eric Lee [mailto:ericlee@labourstart.org]
This week's message is going to be very brief and to the point.
Workers employed in care homes in north London (UK) have been told
by their employer -- a private company called Fremantle -- that
their wages are being cut by 30%, their hours are being increased,
their sick pay will be a thing of the past, and their pensions are
being reduced.
Their union, Unison, is calling for an international campaign of
support for those workers.
I actually live in north London, so this campaign is taking place in
my own neighborhood.
If you live in the UK, you should be concerned that privatized care
homes are treating their workers this way. If you live anywhere in
the world and work in the public sector, you should be concerned
because this could happen to you next. It will take you only a few
seconds to fill in your name and email address and to send a strong
message to the chief executive of Fremantle. If we all take the time
to do this, we can flood her inbox today with thousands of messages
from all over the world -- and we can turn this around. I know that
I can count on you.
Please visit our campaign page now. And please do pass this message
on. Thanks.
Eric Lee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Chairde
To mark the anniversary of the execution of Belfast Volunteer Tom
Williams in September 1942, the Irish Republican History Museum are
hosting an exhibition of material relating to the arrest, of six men
and two women at Easter 1942, their trial and the execution of Tom
Williams in Crumlin Road Jail on 2nd September 1942.
Centerpiece of the exhibition will be the shirt worn by Tom Williams
on the day he was shot and arrested. This has been lent to the
museum by the Cahill family Belfast.
The exhibition will run throughout the month of September. Opening
times ar Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 2pm.
is mise
Pól Wilson
Cathaoirleach
IRHM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the newspapers
‘Brute force’ or the more things change!
The PSNI have been accused of acting ‘in a brutal manner’ during an
incident in Cornshell Fields in the early hours of Saturday morning
when three men, one of them suffering from cerebral palsy, were
arrested. The Sunday was inundated with calls yesterday from people
in the area who said that they could see no reason for the heavy
-handed police presence and the subsequent events.
The mother and wife of those arrested told the Sunday her account of
what happened: “The police arrived at our door and they claimed they
had received an allegation against my son. Now they did not ask him
about this allegation or give him a chance to give his side of the
story.
“Before I had a chance to open the door when they knocked they came
in and they were very hyper and aggressive. They were shouting and
pushed one of my sons up against the wall. My other son, the one
they wanted to talk to was in the toilet, and I told them that but
they continued to behave very aggressively. When my son appeared
they grabbed him, pulled him out to the garden and banged his head
of a fence. My husband came down the stairs and went out to see what
was happening and they grabbed him as well.
“My other son, who suffers from cerebral palsy was then grabbed and
they hit him across the back and they arrested him. I had to dive
and try and protect my other son. It was absolutely disgusting the
way the police behaved.
“After a couple of hours they brought my son with cerebral palsy
back and they acted as if they were doing me a favour. He has been
very upset since then and can’t understand what is happening.”
Another resident of Cornshell Fields resident told the Sunday: “I
couldn’t believe the noise the police were making. They arrived and
sat outside the house for 45 minutes and then they started bringing
people out of the house.
“I saw them bringing one man out and shoving him into the car and
then a female police officer started shouting abuse at him when he
was in the car.
“I saw them bringing a second fellah out to the car and he didn’t
really seem to be offering any kind of resistance. At this point one
of the police men said to another ‘give me my baton,’ while he had
the fellah at the back of the car.
“At this point landrovers arrived and it was just complete chaos.
The police seemed to have no respect for anyone else in the area. It
seems ridiculous that police would send so many officers to the one
scene when there was very little trouble to begin with.”
Another resident said: “I have tried to call the police in the past
over serious incidents and couldn’t get one but there seemed to be
no shortage here for what did not look like a serious incident.”
A spokesperson for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement said: “After a
recent incident with a former councillor politicians and clergy fell
over themselves to condemn it yet after an incident like this their
silence is deafening.”
A police spokesperson said: “Police were responding to a call from a
member of the public. They were confronted with a violent and
aggressive situation. Three men, aged 28, 29 and 53 were arrested
for disorderly behaviour and assault on police.” Police confirmed
that one of the men was later ‘dearrested’ due to his mental
condition, this is believed to refer to the man suffering from
cerebral palsy.
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/39Brute-force39.3168203.jp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life since Troubles 'got worse'
Many residents of an area badly hit by the Troubles feel life has
got worse since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, a new study
suggests.
The survey of mental health needs in Whiterock, west Belfast, was
carried out by an academic specialising in international
post-conflict issues.
Half of the households questioned felt community bonds were now
weaker.
Two-thirds felt stress because of where they live, although many did
acknowlege the peace process had brought benefits.
The survey, by Dr David Connolly of the University of York, found
long-term deprivation and the legacy of the Troubles were two root
causes of trauma in the area.
Other common concerns were recent feud violence in the area,
widespread fear of crime and rapid social changes since the end of
the conflict.
The study suggests mental health problems in the area go beyond the
individual, affecting families and entire communities.
It was commissioned by Corpus Christi Services, a community group
based in the area.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6979078.stm
'Unethical practices' at Guantanamo Bay
More than 260 doctors from around the world have launched an
unprecedented attack on the American medical establishment for its
failure to condemn unethical practices by medical practitioners at
the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba.
In a letter to The Lancet, the doctors from 16 countries, including
Britain and America, say the failure of the US regulatory
authorities to act is "damaging the reputation of US military
medicine".
They compare the actions of the military doctors, whom they accuse
of being involved in the force-feeding of prisoners at Guantanamo
Bay and of turning a blind eye to evidence of torture in Iraq and
elsewhere, to those of the South African security police involved in
the death of the anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko 30 years ago.
The group highlighted the force-feeding of prisoners at Guantanamo
Bay last year and suggested the physicians involved should be
referred to their professional bodies for breaching internationally
accepted ethical guidelines. The doctors wrote: "No healthcare
worker in the War on Terror has been charged or convicted of any
significant offence despite numerous instances documented including
fraudulent record-keeping on detainees who have died as a result of
failed interrogations ... The attitude of the US military
establishment appears to be one of 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak
no evil'."
The US introduced the policy of force-feeding, in which prisoners
are strapped to a chair and a tube is forced down the throat into
the stomach, after more than 100 prisoners went on hunger strike in
2005.
"Fundamental to doctors' responsibilities in attending a hunger
striker is the recognition that prisoners have a right to refuse
treatment," the doctors wrote.
After last year's protest, David Nicholl, consultant neurologist at
City Hospital Birmingham, who led the protest, lodged formal
complaints with two medical boards, in California and Georgia in the
United States. He also lodged a complaint with the American Medical
Association, of which John Edmondson, the former hospital commander
at Guantanamo Bay, was a member.
Writing in today's Lancet, Dr Nicholl and his co-signatories, say:
"After 18 months there had been no reply from the AMA, the
Californian authorities stated that they 'do not have the
jurisdiction to investigate incidents that occurred on a federal
facility/military base', and the authorities in Georgia stated that
the 'complaint was thoroughly investigated', but 'the Board
concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to support
prosecution'."
When the same complaint was considered by the Royal College of
Physicians in the UK, the college concluded: "In England, this would
be a criminal act."
Dr Nicholl said it was "vitally important" that doctors independent
of the US military were allowed to investigate the care of prisoners
at Guantanamo Bay and the deaths of detainees (there were three
reported suicides in June 2006). But a British Medical Association
request to send a delegation of doctors to the prison camp had been
refused by the UK Government.
By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor
Published: The Independent 07 September 2007
What’s On?
PROTEST:
Thurs 13th September at 1pm
Don't Review Water Charges - SCRAP THEM!
Outside 'Independent' Water Review Panel offices, Calvert House,
Castle Place, Belfast
Called by the We Won't Pay Campaign
A solidarity protest has been arranged for those who can't make it
to Rossport on Friday, Sept 14.
The details are:
Andersonstown Shell Station
Friday, September 14 @ 5PM
All Welcome
Spread the Word
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.lulu.com/content/644207
Official Irish Republicanism, 1962 to 1972
by Sean Swan <http://stores.lulu.com/seanswan>
Description:
A history of the Official Irish Republican movement, from the IRA‚s
1962 ceasefire to the Official IRA‚s permanent ceasefire in 1972.
The civil rights movement, the outbreak of violence in August 1969,
the links with the communist party, the Official IRA‚s campaign, the
ceasefire, and later developments towards ŒSinn Fein the Workers‚
Party‚, are explored. "This book is the first in-depth study of this
crucial period in the history of Irish republicanism. Using his
unprecedented access to the internal documents of the movement and
interviews with key participants Swan‚s work will transform our
understanding of this transformative period in the history of the
movement.", Henry Patterson, Author of 'The Politics of Illusion: A
Political History of the IRA' and 'Ireland Since 1939'. "There is
much fascinating material ∑ and also much good sense.", Richard
English, Author of 'Armed Struggle, A History of the IRA' and
'Radicals and the Republic: Socialist Republicanism in the Irish
Free State'.
Product Details:
Printed: 420 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, black and white
interior ink
ISBN: 978-1-4303-1934-4
Publisher: Lulu.com
Rights Owner: Sean Swan
Copyright: © 2007 Sean Swan Standard Copyright License
<http://www.copyright.gov/title17/>
Language: English
Country: United States
Edition: Paperback Edition
International Brigade Memorial Trust
Annual general meeting
Belfast, 12–14 October 2007
Friday 12 October
6:30 p.m.
Reception and exhibition, Linen Hall Library; welcome by John Gray,
Ciarán Crossey, and Peter Bunting (Irish Congress of Trade Unions)
Saturday 13 October
11 a.m.
Unveiling of the memorial in Belfast
Introduced by Kevin Doherty, Bob Doyle, and Margaret Ritchie
(Minister for Social Development)*
12:45 p.m.
Civic reception and public meeting, Grosvenor Hall, opened by
Councillor Jim Rodgers, Lord Mayor of Belfast, with the
participation of Hazelwood College Choir. Guest speakers: Jack
Jones; Amaya Ruiz Ibárruri (daughter of Dolores Ibárruri, La
Pasionaria)*
Closing: Patricia McKeown (Irish Congress of Trade Unions)*
3:45 p.m.
Annual general meeting of International Brigade Memorial Trust
5:15 p.m.
Dinner, Grosvenor Hall
7:30 p.m.
Social event, Europa Hotel. Musicians and entertainers, including
Brenda O’Riordan, Mel Corry and Pól Mac Adaim, Tommy Sands, Paul
(the Brother) McGuire, Gerry Jones ands friends.
Sunday 14 October
10:45 a.m.
Bus tour of historic Belfast or film, To Die in Madrid, John Hewitt
Bar and Restaurant
12:30 p.m.
Lunch, John Hewitt bar and restaurant, with local politicians and
trade union and community activists. Booking essential.
2:45 p.m.
Close of the event
*To be confirmed.
During October there will be an exhibition of original material,
letters, newspapers and photographs in the Linen Hall Library.
Changes may occur in the programme. However, all venues are firmly
booked. Day’s Hotel is holding forty rooms for those who want to
stay; phone (028) 90242494, e-mail mail@dayshotelbelfast.co.uk, fax
(028) 90242495; postal payment by cheque to Day’s Hotel, 40 Hope
Street, Belfast BT12 5EE, and please quote the reference BTAGM when
booking.
For further information about the AGM contact Lynda Walker, 077
51951785 or lyndaernest@btinternet.com
For the International Brigades Commemoration Committee contact Kevin
Doherty, 077 48148863, or Ciarán Crossey, 077 59393607.
For accompodation and travel information contact the Welcome Centre,
47 Donegall Place, phone (028) 90246609, e-mail
info@belfastvisitor.com. |
