The Plough #16
28 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Election Comment
2. The Good Friday Agreement Revisited
3. African Family Devastated by Racist Death Threats
4. Education Spending
5. Open Letter to George Bush
6. Coca-Cola Boycott
7. North Belfast Teach na Failte Fundraising Night in Aid of New
Offices
8. What's On?
*******
Election Comment
The election to a non-existing Assembly in the North of Ireland has,
it is alleged, come as a shock to the British government. It should
not have done so. The Brits had discredited the political process by
the almost casual way they had suspended the Assembly four times and
then postponed the elections last May in a vain attempt to shore up
David Trimble's position. It was only logical for unionists to swing
towards the DUP in these circumstances. Sinn Fein's remarkable
success continues. They are now the largest nationalist party but the
process of moving towards the so-called "middle ground" has seen them
shed some of their republicanism. The Gerry Adams leadership has seen
an almost Blairite make over of Sinn Fein. There are many parallels
between "New Labour" and New Sinn Fein such as the emergence of the
spin doctors, the emerging "educated elites" who can work the system,
the shedding of old ideological beliefs, the shafting of the
traditionalists, the obsession with total control and the suppression
of critical thinking. This is now what constitutes politics today.
Those of us critical of that, can no longer just sit on the sidelines
and condemn. Now more than ever we need to take our politics and
policies to the people and become involved in every struggle of the
people north and south of the border. The pathetic vote the so called
left candidates got shows how far divorced from the reality of
working class life the left sects are. They do not uphold the banner
of socialism. Rather they discredit it.
*******
(The following article was first printed in "Models of Governance:
The Good Friday Agreement and Beyond, Some Personal Reflections"
published by Coiste Na Iarchimi and available from 10 Beechmount
Avenue, Belfast BT12 7NA. E-mail: info@Coiste.com
Other articles in the publication are by Harry Donaghy, giving the
view point of Official Republican Ex-Prisoners, Roy Garland giving a
Unionist perspective, Tommy McKearney from Expac, and Conor Murphy
giving Sinn Fein's point of view.)
The Good Friday Agreement Revisited
By Gerry Ruddy, Teach na Failte, 19 May 2003
Anyone steeped in the history of Irish Republicanism and taking a
Republican perspective would have learnt well the phrase "never trust
the Brits". It was with that firmly in mind that I approached the
Good Friday Agreement.
I voted against the Good Friday Agreement. I recognised that it was a
compromise believed necessary by those who negotiated it from a
republican perspective. I have no problems with compromise. I believe
however that the GFA was the wrong compromise.
Many others voted against the GFA and did so not from a position of
wishing for the maintenance of armed struggle but because they felt
that the GFA was fundamentally flawed. When the results of the
referendum on the GFA were announced however it was clear that the
wishes of the Irish people should be respected.
While sceptical about the GFA the Republican Socialist Movement took
the view that it would do nothing to try to bring down that
agreement. The view was that the GFA would collapse of its own
internal contradictions. The suspension four times in five years of
the Assembly and the power sharing executive and now the postponing
of elections because Blair did not want to see Ian Paisley as First
Minister would seem to indicate that our original analysis was spot
on. The democratic wishes of the Irish people were not, and are not,
respected.
There has been a growing disillusionment not only within the broad
republican and nationalist population but also within the broad mass
of people in the six counties not just with the GFA but also more
ominously with politics itself. This sadly contrasts with the
beginning of the peace process where apart from the saving of lives
there had been the rebirth of politics. People had been raising
issues that impinge on their lives, such as death drivers, teen age
drinking and drugs, bad land-lords, the impact that DOE planning has
on people, the inadequate housing supply, the absence of an effective
policing service, the chaotic transport system and so on.
But there was also in the growing politicisation awareness that a
grass roots approach to conflict resolution was necessary. Small
steps can create confidence and trust and can lead on to major steps.
Politics is about dealing with life in the working class areas where
it matters. It is at local level politics need to have an impact.
Community workers, activists and trade unionists within unionist and
nationalist areas were playing a more active part in their
communities.
Before the GFA, the working class had born the brunt of sectarian
attacks while the state passively looked on and did not intervene.
Indeed in many instances the agencies of the state instigated and
perpetuated sectarianism. Many workers were murdered because of
inflammatory speeches made by sectarian politicians who lived aloof
from the consequences of their speeches. The hope existed that the
GFA would bring an end both to the violence and the bitter
sectarianism that seems endemic in Northern society. Yet with all the
main armed groups on ceasefire there has been more rather than less
sectarianism on the streets. The crisis politics of the peace process
has consistently plunged working class communities into high
expectation then depression and then despair at the possibility of a
return to armed conflict.
Radical change had been promised by the signing of the Good Friday
Agreement. The old division over the constitutional issue was said to
be over-taken by events. Much was promised. Little was in reality
delivered.
The institutions set up as a result of the GFA have proved
ineffectual. In resigning from the the Northern Ireland Human Rights
Commission, Inez McCormack delivered a damming indictment of the
Commission: "(it) cannot deliver on its remit under the Good Friday
Agreement. Even within its limited powers and resources, it lacks
direction on the strategies, policies and practices needed to carve
out a positive role for itself in protecting and promoting human
rights. Its internal processes have either broken down, or have not
even been formed. It is clearly not 'independent of government, with
an extended and enhanced role,' as outlined in the agreement."
Issues such as the human rights agenda, equality and justice should
never have been part of the bargaining process that led up to the
GFA. By so doing the universal rights of all citizens were diminished
by political bartering. Britain has only reluctantly agreed to the so-
called equality agenda so long as it is tied into the agreement.
Human rights transcend shoddy political deals and the issue of human
rights should have been kept separate from the talks on political
institutions.
Loyalist violence continued despite some concessions gained from the
GFA. The war is to all intents over, whatever terminology is used.
The IRA decommissioned. Republicans have apologised for the suffering
they caused. Articles two and three have been removed from the Irish
constitution, and republicans participated in a Stormont assembly as
well as running Stormont departments. But some loyalist politicians
claimed that republicans were the only people who have gained from
the Agreement and suddenly discovered much poverty in loyalist
working class area. They sought to blame only nationalists for all
the post GFA ills. This naturally justified (in their own eyes) the
unleashing of sectarian violence from factions within loyalist
paramilitaries. There has been a constant barrage of sectarian
attacks on the Catholic population in an attempt to make republicans
break cease-fires and so destroy the agreement.
Yet the areas affected most by this violence are poverty stricken and
poverty does not ask the religion or politics of its victims. As the
Noble index of worst poverty affected areas shows, not one section of
the Catholic/Protestant working class communities can claim to be
suffering more deprivation than another.
The four main parties in the dissolved Stormont Executive (UUP, DUP,
SDLP, SF) have all lobbied Westminster to lower corporate tax from
30% to as little as 10%, and accepted the private financing of public
utilities. The privatising of public services means putting profit
before people.
The built in veto within the assembly at Stormont solidified the
existing sectarian power blocs and gives reactionary politicians the
power to prevent, within the remit of the assembly, any radical
measures to deal with the economic and social problems that exist in
the six counties. Martin McGuinness could not break the power of the
grammar schools that have discriminated against working class
children and Bairbe de Brun had an impossible task to reform the
decrepit health service.
The electorate and the political parties are pressured into
identifying with the two sectarian blocs. Political parties had to
identify themselves as unionist, nationalist or other. The antics of
the Women's Coalition and the Alliance Party in re-designating
themselves as unionists only discredited the political process. The
two tribes approach (for in essence that is what the GFA is) goes
against a core value of republicanism, the uniting of catholic,
protestant and dissenter. Under the politically correct designations
stemming from the GFA, I am classified as a nationalist/Catholic
(which I most certainly am not) and my two daughters are designated
as Protestants/unionists (which they most certainly are not).
The cross border institutions much heralded as an all-Ireland
dimension are in reality existing practices of co-operation tarted up
as some wonderful exotic all-Ireland creature. Even then Trimble was
able to stop their work for a time when he refused to nominate Sinn
Fein ministers.
Political prisoners were released on licence. Political status has
disappeared. Republicans should not recognise the right of anyone to
criminalize republican prisoners. We may disagree with the tactics of
some republicans and we do, but we recognise that their motivation is
political and they should be recognised as such.
There is not the political will to tackle the fundamental wrongs of
the Northern state. The British government has failed to seriously
tackle the thorny questions of the Northern judiciary and the RUC.
Even the Patten Report, a document most republicans did not accept,
has been neutered.
In the GFA there was an obligation on all parties to work for
decommissioning by all paramilitary groups. Yet none of the political
parties with the exception of Sinn Fein used "any influence to
achieve decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years"
(Page 20, GFA}.
In other words the whole question of decommissioning or disarmament
has been a farce, a gesture, a token to the unionists backwoodsmen
and a way of trying to humiliate republicans. On security the British
Army hope to reduce their troop levels to that of 1969. The Whiterock
and Henry Taggart forts have been removed, only to be replaced by the
massive technologically sophisticated police station at New Barnsley
complete with heli-pad. Two interrogation centres were closed at
Castlereagh and Armagh with much fanfare but few mentioned the
building of a new interrogation centre in Antrim.
If republicans instead of taking up their allocation of seats in the
Executive had refused them and gone into opposition they could have
avoided the whole issue of decommissioning, led the opposition to the
dismantling of the public sector, mobilised opposition to the
reactionary economic policy of the Programme of Government and been
in a position of articulating the demands of their wide constituency.
Instead, they were compromised, by participating in running the
Northern Ireland government, while the Northern Ireland state was
still essentially sectarian and irreformable. Constitutional
tinkering with the Northern state has not and will not eradicate its
fundamentally sectarian nature.
Britain has shown by the arbitrary actions of its local overlord in
postponing elections that it retains full sovereignty over the North.
Can we not now, with ample justification say, the whole point of the
exercise was to disarm, discredit and demoralise republicans?
Should we all now step back from the whole process and reflect on
what has been achieved and what has been lost?
*******
The following report appeared in the Galway Advertiser and was picked
up and elaborated on in the Irish Daily Mirror.
African Family Devastated by Racist Death Threats
By Una Sinnott
A Nigerian family was in shock this week after they received an
anonymous letter threatening to shoot them on sight unless they left
Galway.
The letter, which bears a swastika and purports to have been sent by
a well-known Northern Ireland paramilitary group, contains threats to
kill all African people living in Galway unless they leave. The
letter has since been passed onto the Garda and an investigation has
been launched into the matter.
The man who received the threats -- who did not wish to be
identified -- said he has experienced several incidents of racial
abuse since he moved to Galway with his family three and a half years
ago.
"I have had people telling me to go back to my own country, but I
never believed it would come to this," he told the Galway Advertiser.
A spokesperson for Salthill Garda Station confirmed that it had
received a report on the incident and an investigation is under way.
He said that while there were very few reported incidents of racial
abuse in the area the Garda treats all incidents of racism seriously.
This is the only reported case of a threatening letter being sent to
a member of an ethnic minority group in Galway. People have been
urged to report any similar incidents to the Garda.
Meanwhile the Galway One World Centre has condemned the threats.
"Racism and discrimination are illegal," a spokesperson for the
centre said. "These incidents should be recorded and the Gardai
should investigate."
Anyone with information on the incident should contact Salthill Garda
Station at (091) 514720.
[The letter purported to come from the INLA. It did not. We have been
assured that that organisation takes both a dim view of racist
threats and also the false use of its name to instil fear into
people. The IRSP wish to reassure members of ethnic minorities that
they have nothing to fear from the Republican Socialist Movement
However we have been informed by sources close to that organisation
those who falsely use the name of the INLA do have something to fear.]
*******
(INTO PRESS RELEASE)
Education Spending
Ireland spends less on primary school pupils and more on third level
students than most other EU countries. At primary level spending
is the second lowest in the EU. At third level it is the fourth
highest.
This makes Ireland the most unequal country in the EU in terms of
educational investment. It also means that education policy is
contributing to inequality in Ireland instead of creating equal
opportunities or equal outcomes. The Minister for Education and
Science appears to back the argument that primary school pupils merit
smaller state investment than students at other levels of education.
What does this say for his pledges to tackle disadvantage and
introduce reform? In all countries more is spent on second and third
level education than on primary education. But in Ireland the
disparity is greater. According to the OECD Report Education at a
Glance 2003 for every Euro spent at primary in Ireland €3.3 is
spent at third level. This compares with Denmark where for every one
Euro spent on each primary school pupil €1.7 is spent on each
third level student. But apart from this Denmark also spends more
than twice as much in real terms on every primary school pupil.
In Italy spending is skewed in favour of third level but is much more
equal. For every €6 spent at primary level €7 is spent on
second level and €8 is spent at third level. In Austria the
comparative figures are €7, €9 and €11. But while spending at third
level in Austria is the same as in Ireland spending at primary level
is over twice as high.
Running costs cannot be used to defend this inequity in funding. Only
€110 per pupil is paid by government to primary schools to meet
running costs. The grant for second level schools is over €250
per pupil. There is no justification for the difference. The running
costs are the same. The oil prices are identical. Electricity prices
are the same. Insurance costs are the same. Why discriminate against
primary schools?
Arguments that more expensive equipment is needed as students advance
to higher levels of education are hard to sustain. Why do we need
Science labs at second level while younger children have to learn
Science with teacher made resources? Why must third level
institutions have language labs while primary pupils make do with
chalk and talk? Why do second level schools have indoor PE facilities
when most primary schools have to depend on the weather? In building
terms this type of funding is like skimping on the foundations while
putting the real money into the fixtures and fittings for all to
see.
It is this philosophy that is failing thousands of primary school
children every year. Today's primary school children are computer
literate and are increasingly reared on a diet of high tech
television productions. They are highly sophisticated and demanding
in this regard and teaching resources must keep pace with changing
children. Children today have passed out chalk and talk, filmstrips
and home made resources. Government investment in primary schools
must enable schools to keep pace with modern life.
If we are serious about creating a fairer, more just society from
which each individual can benefit then every child must have the best
possible start. It is morally wrong to handicap some runners in a
race and then reward the winners.
*******
Toronto Sun
23 November 2003
Open Letter to George Bush
By Eric Margolis
Mr. President, oil isn't worth dying for. President George Bush
should heed the wise old New York garment district maxim: "First
loss, best loss."
Translated from New Yorkese, this means when you get into a bad deal,
bail out fast. The longer you stay in and refuse to face reality, the
more you will end up losing.
That, alas, is just what Bush is doing in Iraq. Better he had gone to
the garment district for hard advice instead of the regal photo op in
London thrown for him by Queen Elizabeth and her dysfunctional
family.
In spite of the royal welcome in a nation that increasingly resembles
a giant theme park for American tourists, many Britons were appalled
by the visit. They greeted Bush and his preposterously bloated
entourage, worthy of Kublai Khan, with about as much warmth as they
did the Spanish Armada.
Tony Blair, Bush's de facto foreign minister, salaamed and scraped
with unctuous zeal before the visiting Emperor of the West. But at
least the Queen summoned up enough pride to refuse White House
demands that heavily armed U.S. agents be granted full legal immunity
to shoot down threatening Britons.
Back to losing. President Bush's crusades in Afghanistan and Iraq
have turned into bloody, expensive messes. These neo-colonial
misadventures may soon cost $2 billion U.S. weekly, plus the deaths
and wounding of growing numbers of Americans, allies dragooned into
service in Iraq and Iraqi civilians.
The so-called political process in both nations is a farce. Their
U.S.-installed regimes are widely viewed as quislings. In Kabul, the
U.S. at least has an amiable figurehead, Hamid Karzai. No suitable
Iraqi yes-man has yet been found. But the White House, seeing its pre-
election popularity dropping fast, is desperately seeking some way
out of the Iraqi hornet's nest into which it so foolishly stuck its
thick head.
Bush just announced - shades of Richard Nixon - that the Iraq war
would be "Iraqized." A facade of political power will be handed over
to an Iraqi government. But U.S. troops will stay on for years
for "security." What happens if the "independent" Iraqi regime tells
U.S. forces to leave? A speedy regime change, no doubt.
The Pentagon plans to build three major bases in Iraq from which to
police the central Mideast and guard America's new imperial oil
lifeline from Central Asia, down through Afghanistan, to the West.
Anyone who remembers Vietnam, which Iraq increasingly recalls,
knows "Iraqization" won't work. Meanwhile, Iraq's Shia majority
remains quiet only because it fears Saddam Hussein may return.
Ironically, if the U.S. hunts down and murders Saddam, the Shia will
rise up and demand an Islamic republic - just what the White House
seeks to avoid.
Any free vote in Iraq will produce the same result. Maybe that's why
Saddam has not yet been found. So take Bush's calls for Arab
democracy with much salt. The only truly free vote held in the Arab
world - most of which is controlled by the U.S. - brought to power in
Algeria a moderate Islamic government. It was promptly overthrown by
the army, with backing from the U.S. and France.
But Bush dares not withdraw American troops from Iraq so long as the
elusive Saddam stays alive. Imagine a triumphant Saddam mooning Bush
from "liberated" Baghdad. The Democrats would make falafel of the
president.
Neo-conservatives insist the U.S. can't withdraw because of loss of
face and prestige. Retreat will encourage terrorism, claim these sofa
samurais.
Nonsense. America shrugged off retreat from Vietnam and Indochina.
All good generals know when to fall back, and - unlike the neo-cons
who engineered these stupid wars - always leave open a line of
retreat. No one cared about Afghanistan when the Soviets killed 1.5
million of its people, nor about Iraq when it lost 500,000 soldiers
fighting Iran, or 500,000 children due to the punitive U.S. blockade.
Why care now?
"We just can't cut and run," said Bush in London, trying to sound
Churchillian. Why not? The best way to get the U.S. out of this
quagmire is to follow France's sage advice: bring in a UN-run
government as a fig leaf, declare victory, and pull all U.S. troops
out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, chaos will ensue. But Iraq and
Afghanistan are in chaos now, and terrorism, as we saw in Istanbul
last week, still rages.
Get out now before the U.S. gets sucked ever deeper by "mission
creep" into a decade-long morass in Mesopotamia. There's still time.
Yes, Saddam or his lieutenants and Arab radicals will crow, but
Israel survived similar crowing when it wisely ended its disastrous
colonial adventure in Lebanon.
Immediate retreat saves $100 billion-plus. Iraq and Afghanistan are
not worth the lives of one more American or Canadian soldier, nor
more wear on overstretched U.S. forces. Withdrawal will damp down
raging anti-Americanism around the globe.
Time to end the megalomania, paranoia and crazy biblical geopolitics
that drove the U.S. into these profitless conflicts.
Mr. President, be a real mensch and a true patriot by admitting you
were wrong, and just get out.
P.S. It's cheaper to buy oil than to conquer it.
*******
Congratulations to the students of UCD where the referendum to
reintroduce Coke was defeated in UCD last week.
Students voted by a margin of 600 votes (increased from 57) to
boycott Coke. Turnout was up with over 4,000 students voting and
56% voting against the reintroduction of Coke (51% voted for the
boycott back in October).
It's good to see that with time more students are backing the
boycott. Coke must be regretting pursing for a second vote now.
Coke had taken a number of steps to try and win this time including
sending their communications director in from Latin American last
week, sponsoring the C+E society (one of UCD's largest societies) and
giving them free cans of Coke, taking students out to dinner, and
sending their workers in on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
So what about the rest of the colleges in the country? Anyone who has
contacts in any of them should be moving to get Coca Cola boycotted
on the campus to help save the lives of workers in Coca Cola bottling
plants in Columbia where to date eight have been murdered for trying
to form a trade union in the plant.
SAVE A LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS, BOYCOTT COCA COLA.
(E-Mail from Fearghas OhIr foh@ireland.com)
*******
North Belfast Teach na Failte Fundraising Night in Aid of New Offices
Friday 14th November saw an evening packed full of laughs,
entertainment and craic in a local social club in Ardoyne, North
Belfast when comrades, friends and supporters of the republican
socialist family came out in force to support a grand charity event
in aid of the newly acquired offices of Teach na Failte in North
Belfast. The evening mirrored the strength of support now growing for
the IRSM and the wider republican socialist family within the local
community and the realisation that revolutionary socialism is a
viable entity capable of securing a socialist worker's Republic. Joe
Baker, an local historian, began the evening with a lecture on the
events surrounding the McMahon family murders, carried out by the RUC
of that era, highlighting the long history of sectarian hatred
inflicted upon this community by these state enforced executioners -
accompanied by the willingness of the British government to endorse
this brutality and hatred. A gathering of some three hundred comrades
and supporters listened intently to the lecture and the audience
responded with thunderous applause at the end. The importance of
highlighting historic events of the past cannot be over stressed; the
future depends on an accurate understanding of history.
Teach na Failte would like to extend our utmost thanks to Mr Joe
Baker for taking the time from his hectic schedule to educate us on
this fascinating piece of our local history. He ably illustrated that
history and modern reality do not often differ! Mr Baker also donated
a total of one hundred books detailing the McMahon murders for sale
on the evening. The evening was then followed by two and a half hours
of entertainment from the fabulous Blackstaff who played brilliantly
to take the crowd into the final stages of the evening. A series of
ballots were then held for the generous prizes donated from the
community, ranging from pictures depicting and remembering the hunger
strikers to bottles of whiskey, vodka and liqueurs all donated from
local establishments within the area. These all culminated to provide
a splendid display of the effort and thought involved in organising
such an event. Our thanks are again extended to all those who gave so
generously and without whom it would have been impossible to raise
our overall grand total. One of the highlights was the auction held
for a fully installed and fitted uPVC door which finally went under
the hammer for a total of £390 - our thanks and appreciation
to the sponsor for the donation, and to the buyer who secured the
sale. The grand finale was a disco made up of the finest music
available mixed masterfully by the DJ. All experienced an enjoyable
night. It left everyone looking forward with eager anticipation until
the next gathering of these fine comrades and friends.
Teach na Failte would greatly like to extend its appreciation and
thanks to all who participated in this fundraising night, whether
organisers or revellers - all brought this together to become one of
the finest nights ever to be held in the history of the RSM in North
Belfast. Teach na Failte would also like to extend our gratitude
to the Committee, members and staff of the social club who hosted the
event, for their input and support which was unconditionally given in
order to host this evening, also to the supporters and comrades who
unselfishly gave their time and effort to make this happen, and
lastly to all those who participated by donating, purchasing tickets
and generally supporting in our struggles to make this come together
as a great tribute to the work that is carried out by the staff and
voluntary workers employed by Teach na Failte.
*******
What's On?
"My appeal is to the working class. I appeal to them exclusively,
because they, and only they, can bring about the time when the whole
world will be one brotherhood, on a sound economic foundation. That,
and that alone, can be the means of bringing about a reorganisation
of society. That can only be obtained when the people of the world
get the world and retain the world." - John McLean
*
In the Cause of Labour: A History of British Trade Unionism
http://www.marxist.com/History/inthecause_oflabour/article_socapp.html
There are many narrative histories of the struggles of British
workers. However Rob Sewell's book is different. The purpose of
this history of British trade unionism is not only to recite the
wrongs inflicted on working people, or simply to describe their
heroic struggles. It is an attempt to draw out the lessons of the
events that helped shape the Labour movement, and made it what it is.
This is a book that sets out from the proposition that the interests
between capital and labour are incompatible and takes sides in the
war between the classes.
*
Justice for Colombia
10am - 1pm Saturday 29th November TUC Congress House, Council Chamber
(5th floor), Great Russell Street, LONDON WC1 (nearest tube Tottenham
Court Road).
Other speakers: Brendan Barber (TUC General Secretary and Justice for
Colombia President); Isabel Hilton (The Guardian); Jeremy Dear
(National Union of Journalists General Secretary); Dr. Angela Roger
(Association of University Teachers Vice-president). Chair: Mick Rix
(Justice for Colombia Vice-Chair).
Places are limited, so please ensure you book in advance:
info@justiceforcolombia.org 020 7794 3644
*
December 2003 Events
Friday, 5 December and Saturday 6 December
Oxfam, War on Want, World Development Movement
Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas Market
Conway Hall
Book your selling space at Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas market before
10 October and get a 10% discount on the price of your stall. Unit 6,
Canonbury Yard 190a, New North Road, London N1
Tel: 020 7354 4231
Sat, 6 December U.S. TROOPS OUT OF SHANNON!
Blockade the Warport Assemble at 2 pm at Lidl Carpark in Shannon
Town. More details on IAWM website Buses will be organised from
Dublin (contact Aoife at 087 795 5013), Cork (for more details
contact John at 086 300 4573), Galway (details later),
All Anti War groups are requested to hold public meetings, if
possible in the weeks coming up to this protest. The public meeting
should be used to build for as large a protest at Shannon as
possible. Other up-coming anti-war events
*
5-6 December
NETWORK FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Working for a peaceful future: Campaigning for peace against a
context of the never-ending "war on terrorism".
5-6 December Venue: Friends House, Euston Road, London.
Info and/or to book a stall contact: Network for Peace - tel: 020 72783267
Email: nfp@gn.apc.org
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk
*
Saturday 13 December 1-4pm opposite Downing Street
Public Rally Justice for detainees now!
Afghanistan. Iraq Belmarsh prison in the UK.... with speakers and a
petition calling for an end to imprisonment without trial! For
details contact CAMPACC on 020 7586 5892
*
Saturday, 13 to Monday 15 December
Major Women-only demonstration and blockade, Menwith Hill
Info: morganshs@hotmail.com
*
THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AGAINST ISOLATION - CONFERENCE ON
POLITICAL PRISONERS
It is an INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS and is being
held on Dec. 19th, 20th and 21st.
WHERE: The symposium will take place in Palazzio Vecchio in Salone
Duecentoda.
Address:
COMUNE DI FIRENZE,
Palazzo Vecchio P.zza Signoria
50122 - FIRENZE
HOW: The order is speakers is divided geographically. So, for
instance, the first day speakers from Asia, America, Africa will
speak, the next day from Europe and the final decisions will be made.
WHO: A list of organisations and persons, who have so far confirmed
their participation in the symposium:
* Ahmet Kulaksiz, he lost his two daughters Canan and Zehra during
the death fast in Turkey
* Ex-political prisoners from Turkey (and Europe)
* Wainer Burani, a lawyer from Italy, who will speak about the
prisons in Italy and the Anti-Terror-Law
* Gianfranco di Maio, a doctor from Italy, who will speak about the
force-feeding measurement
* Mohammed Safa, a representative of the Al Khiam Rehabilitation
Centre for Torture Victims, he will speak about the Lebanese
prisoners in the Zionist prisons.
* Ibrahim Mahajna, a lawyer who lives in Ramallah and is member of
the Palestinian Human Rights Commission. He will speak about the
situation of the prisoners at Ansar 3.
* Marcella della Donne, professor at the La Sapienza University in
Rome
* A representative of the Cuban Embassy in Rome and probably a lawyer
who is the brother of one of the "Cuban 5", who are imprisoned in
Miami
* Representatives of the Austrian Committee "Free the Cuban Five"
* Haidi Giulani, mother of Carlo Giulani, who was killed by police
during the demonstrations in Genoa
* Representatives of Behatokia, the Basque Observatory for Human
Rights
* Rote Hilfe (Red Help)
* A representative of the London-based Irish Political
Status Committee
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call 0031-20-675 09 26
or 0032-2-280 2228;
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
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Friday 28 November 2003
Friday 21 November 2003
The Plough Vol 01 No 15
The Plough #15
21 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Getting It All Wrong Again, Paul Williams!
2. INLA Deportees
3. Anti Racist Network
4. Health Workers on Hunger Strike
5. Sinaltrainal in Ireland
6. Remember the Revolutionary Contribution of Kwame Ture
7. Debate
8. What's On?
*******
Getting It All Wrong
By Liam O'Ruairc
Crimelords by Paul Williams (Dublin, Merlin Publishing, 2003)
£9.99, ISBN 1-903582-51-2
Paul Williams is an "investigative journalist" working for the Sunday
World tabloid. He wrote his latest book because over the last few
years in Ireland "organised crime has seen a dramatic upsurge which
seems certain to continue." This alarmist book presents 21st century
Ireland as some kind of 1930s Chicago. In fact in the 26 counties the
level of crime for the last 17 years has remained virtually static,
and by international standards the murder rate is not high: in the
year 2000 the homicide rate was 1.48 per 100 000 of the population
compared to 1.97 in Sweden, 2.11 in Scotland and 5.64 in the USA.
(Sunday Business Post 9.11.2003)
The book exagerates, but does not investigate the roots of this
alleged upsurge in crime. The author does not investigate whether
there is an intrinsic connection between the neo-liberalism of the
Celtic Tiger and criminality, or whether drug abuse has something to
do with social and economic marginalisation. Williams does not
explore the structural causes of criminality. Instead he proposes
an "evil individual" theory of crime. The "Pimpernel", the "Viper",
the "Colonel", the "Westies" and other godfathers around which the
book is centered are blamed for crime.
How good is Paul Williams' investigation of the Irish underworld? A
look at his treatment of the INLA paramilitary organisation (which
occupies about the quarter of the book) should raise some scepticism
as to the overall value of his journalism. For Williams the INLA is
nothing but a "criminal rabble" with no cohesive approach to anything
apart from criminal activity, a "flag of convenience for a collection
of dangerous thugs". The point his investigation is trying to make is
that its members are "intrinsically involved in organised crime" and
are using Republican Socialism as a cover for this.
The chapters on the INLA are full of factual inaccuracies, some of
them quite astonishing. According to Williams, the founder of the
organisation, Seamus Costello "styled the organisation on European
Marxist terror groups such as the Red Brigades and the Bader (sic)
Meinhoff" (93). There is no evidence of this.
Anyone with a mininal knowledge of the history of the IRSP/INLA knows
that Costello wanted to build an organisation in the Left Republican
tradition to which groups like the RAF are totally foreign. Williams
comes with a most bizarre theory when blaming the killing of Costello
on Belfast-based members of the INLA who wanted to seize control of
the movement (93, 96). In fact, it is beyond doubt that he was killed
by Jim Flynn, of the Official IRA.
For someone who presents himself as a serious investigative
journalist, Williams makes serious factual mistakes. He makes the
astonishing claim that in the post 1987 period "over thirty INLA
members were murdered by former friends and associates" (106) Paul
Williams should then supply the reader with a list of those thirty
plus names, because they are nowhere to be found (in doubt check the
most recent edition of Lost Lives).
The author also writes that during the 1996 INLA feud "most of the
old GHQ faction remained loyal to 'Cueball' Torney" (119). Once
again, he gets the facts wrong, because apart from a couple of
individuals, the movement remained unified behind Cueball's
opponents. Williams should go and check the official statements which
were issued by the various people involved then.
When not getting the facts wrong, Williams sometimes simply invents
them. He writes that when Veronica Guerin was assassinated "an
official circular from the IRSP declared that Veronica Guerin had
effectively got what she deserved. They also sent a direct threat to
other crime journalists in the country stating that they would
receive the same treatment." (121) If this is the case, then he
should produce this 'official circular', because there has never been
such a circular issued by the IRSP.
The same goes for his statement that one year after their 1998
ceasefire, "in August 1999 the INLA declared that their war was
officially over." (125) Again, there have never been any such
statement either by the IRSP or the INLA.
On top of that, many minor details reveal the book to be sloppy. For
example, Williams writes that in 1998 the former leader of the IPLO
was twenty eight years old while born in 1960, and systematically
spells "expatriate" "ex-patriot".
Finally, Paul Williams' prose is as crude and vulgar as his political
analysis. For example Williams writes of a certain criminal that "he
considered the INLA to be his own police force and if anyone wanted
to fuck with him (sic) then they would be answerable to the thugs and
thieves in the 'movement'." (114) Such language and the fact that
Williams gets basic facts wrong should create doubt as to the value
and validity of his general argument. Compared to serious
investigative journalism, such as for example Vincent Browne's
investigations of the Workers Party and the Official IRA in Magill,
Paul Williams' book constitutes good sensationalism but not very
impressive analysis.
As to the actual remedies to organised criminality, Paul Williams is
implicitly and explicitly calling for more resources for law
enforcement agencies. The author notes that in 21st century
Ireland "law enforcement is in a state of crisis", not because the
the erosion of civil liberties while evidence grows about members of
the Garda abusing their powers, but because the government forgot its
promises of more officers and more resources.
His book reinforces the media climate encouraging more drastic laws
and tougher policing by exagerating criminality. It is interesting to
note that, as Vincent Browne reminds us, "by far the greatest piece
of organised crime we have seen here in decades and which won for the
perpetrators of that crime huge proceeds was entirely ignored by the
Criminal Assets Bureau. This was the mega Dirt Tax fraud perpetrated
by the big banks." (Sunday Business Post, 9.11.2003)
Yet, Paul Williams remains entirely silent on these "crimelords". And
the panic measures he calls for can only deepen the injustice and
intensify the alienation on which crime grows.
(This first appeared in the Blanket -
http://lark.phoblacht.net/allwronglor.html.)
*******
McAllister family on brink of deportation
Malachy McAllister, a former INLA member, is facing expulsion from
the U.S. after an immigration court denied his appeal against
deportation. McAllister and his family fled Belfast a little more
than 15 years ago after loyalist gunmen fired shots into their home.
They have lived in New Jersey.
One of his children, 26-year-old Gary, is married to an American
citizen, but despite this, he has also been included in the
deportation order. The courts recently ruled in favour of the
deportation of another former INLA man, John Edward McNicholl, and
refused to hear an appeal to suspend McNicholl's deportation.
McNicholl was arrested and deported within days of the court's
decision. His wife, a U.S. citizen, and two of the couple's three
children, also citizens, were forced to follow McNicholl to Ireland.
Is it a coincidence that two former INLA men are being victimised in
this way? Is this because we don't support the Good Friday Agreement
and oppose Bush and Blair's so called "war on terrorism?"
*******
ANTI RACIST NETWORK
The Anti Racist Network which comprises of various political
organisations, minority ethnic support groups, trades unionist and
trades union councils, law firms and asylum practitioners amongst
others have drawn up a list of questions which we seek to have
answered by the various political parties and their candidates
standing in the forthcoming elections. We feel such 'real' issues are
vitally important and call on the political parties to address these
questions both as a party and through their candidates in the course
of the debates and discussions during the elections.
1) What is your party policy on racism, asylum, Travellers, migrant
workers?
2} If elected what will you and your party do to actively seek to
combat the rise in racism and racist attacks?
3} Will you and your party work to end the detention of asylum
seekers held in prisons, which in effect is criminalizing persons
whose 'crime' is to seek asylum?
4} Will you and your party ensure that language will not be used that
will cause offence or can be used by others to attempt to increase
racial tensions?
5} Will your party actively support events that promote good race
relations and seek to forward the race equality agenda
For further details contact Valery or Nathalie in MCRC on 90244639
(valery@mcrc-ni.org) or David Carlin on 07974632485
(carlindavid@hotmail.com)
*******
Health Workers on Hunger Strike
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 16:22:53 -0000
11 Colombian health workers have declared themselves on hunger
strike. They are amongst the 138 workers who are engaged in a
peaceful occupation of the offices of the Ministry for Social
Protection. After three days of protest during which time minister
Diego Palacios has systematically denied any talks with leaders of
ANTHOC, the health workers union.
"The minister maintains that he will not enter talks with us until we
end the occupation, but that is what they told us a year before we
took this action and they still haven't done anything to solve the
hospital problem", said a union leader for the Social and Political
Front which has been accompanying the workers in defence of public
services. "The situation that the State has kept the hospitals has
generated a humanitarian crisis. We do not understand how the
Government can intervene with measures to save the finance sector
every time it goes into crisis, as was the case earlier this year,
but it does not do the same for the problems of health and public
education, that are not private businesses but fundamental rights as
guaranteed in the Constitution", the Front's National Executive
Committee argues in a political declaration.
"In this country there are talks with armed groups that have
committed crimes against humanity, massacres and forced the
displacement of more than three million of our people, but they
refuse to listen to the demands of workers who are defending the
rights of Colombians to a dignified health. And besides, the workers
are owed 14 months salary", declared one of the protesters.
The Social and Political Front demands guarantees for those inside
the Ministry offices, and those who have embarked on the hunger
strike, as well as an immediate solution to ANTHOC's demands. The
Colombian people can see that every day more hospitals are being
closed, while public funds are going to pay off the debt and to pay
for war.
Even when the Colombian people have, by defeating the Referendum,
shown themselves opposed to the neo-liberal policies of this and
previous governments, pronouncing themselves in favour of the State
paying the social debt that it has to the people through a strong
social investment to guarantee social justice for all Colombian men
and women.
Press Office
Social and Political Front
17 November 2003
*******
SINALTRAINAL in Ireland
The tour of Ireland by Luis Eduardo Garcia on behalf of SINALTRAINAL
was a great success.
Monday 11th November 2003 (Derry)
The tour started at Sandinos Bar in Derry, and was supported by Derry
Trades Council. There were 25-30 people in at the meeting and
Sandino's officially announced that it would be supporting the
boycott.
Tuesday 12th November 2003 (Belfast)
Royal Victoria Hospital - we met with about 30 members of UNISON, who
were very interested in the boycott. They agreed to speak to the
management of the hospital and try to get Coca Cola withdrawn from
the hospital premises.
Cultúrlann - (an Irish language cultural centre). We met with
about
40 people who were extremely supportive of the boycott. Cultúrlann
announced that it would no longer be selling Coca Cola, and Luis was
presented with a book about the Murals in the area.
Unemployed Resource Centre - again a well attended meeting about 40
people. The reception given to Luis was extremely good. At the
meeting the John Hewitt Bar announced officially that it would be
supporting the boycott and that it has withdrawn coke cola from sale.
Letters in support of the boycott were also read out from the Falls
Road Women's Centre and the Double Joint theatre group. The chief
librarian of the Linen Hall Library, John Gray, gave a letter stating
his personal support for the boycott.
Wednesday 13th November 2003 (Dublin)
University College Dublin - Students meeting
The meeting was well attended with over 120 students. There were a
number of good questions after Luis spoke and the students gave him 2
standing ovations, (including whistles cheers foot stamping etc). The
president of the union announced that the student union exec was
firmly behind the boycott. There is a small group calling for a
second referendum in the university to overturn the referendum, which
approved the boycott. They appear to be quite small and only 1 of
them asked any questions. Luis very politely managed to make him look
ridiculous!!
Coke also had their own campaign going with a dinner in a plush hotel
for invited students.
SIPTU - a bilateral meeting with the trade union representing Coca
Cola workers in Ireland.
Public Meeting
An excellent meeting of about 30 people. After a short introduction
from Luis the meeting was taken up with discussing ideas for action
in support of the boycott.
Media
Luis did 2 interviews in the North, one for an Irish language
publication and one for an on-line magazine called the Blanket (this
article has already been published) In the South he was interviewed
by 2 of the most popular TV channels and both interviews went out on
the 8 -9 o'clock news bulletins and he did 2 interviews with
journalists both of which seemed very sympathetic. This was combined
with the publicity achieved by Gearoid in Ireland who did a live
radio debate on Tuesday morning with Rafael Fernandez Garcia, Coca
Cola's Director of Communications in Latin America who had been flown
in from Coke's Atlanta HQ. Coke's Irish representative and students
from UCD and Trinity College also joined in the debate. This
programme is regularly listened to by over 300,000 people.
Students
Trinity College are collecting signatures with a view to holding
their own referenda and join UCD in the boycott. UCD have a second
referendum this week (watch this space).
Follow Up
Supporters of Sinaltrainal campaign are working on fundraising
activities on International Human Rights Day, 10th December.
*******
Remember the Revolutionary Contribution of Kwame Ture
Comrade John W. represented the Irish Republican Socialist Committees
of North America at an event hosted by the All-African People's
Revolutionary Party in Los Angeles, on November 19th. John read a
statement from the Irish Republican Socialist Party's International
Department, honouring Pan-African Socialist Kwame Ture on the
occasion of the fifth anniversary of his death.
Other solidarity statements were made by representatives of the
Native American movement and the IRSCNA. A representative from Guinea-
Bissau gave an excellent talk on Kwame Ture, Pan-Africanism, and the
need for unity among all oppressed peoples.
The A-APRP, as ever, gave the IRSM a warm welcome to their event,
demonstrating once again their internationalism and high level of
consciousness.
*******
DEBATE
"Let us look to a higher motive than praise or profit - to promote
truth and labour together, as Irishmen, bound by love of country,
which is far higher and stronger tie than any human obligation." -
Jemmy Hope
This is a short reply I did to the question where do we go from here?
I would be interested in feedback. slan, Pol.
In Search of the Revolutionary Grail!
By Paul Little (20/11/03)
It is clear the current political strategy of the IRSP is
contradictory. As to why this is appears complex, however the fact
that it is complex should not put us off the search for an effective
revolutionary strategy.
Any revolutionary strategy should be focused on achieving the
successful conclusion of the Republican Socialist project, not bogged
down in the historical dogma and procedural dead ends of our own
past, failed strategies.
Some of the 'old certainties', tactics, rational and dogma of the
Irish freedom struggle need to be challenged as to their purpose and
usefulness to future struggle. We have had enough of the nearly,
religious ritual defeat of our project, that is excused with the
embarrassing but correct assertion that "we fought the good fight and
lost and it's up to the following generation to carry on." What
hogwash! It is the duty of today's revolutionaries to be positive in
our formulation of a revolutionary strategy, determined in its
execution and persistent for its successful conclusion,
Whilst there maybe no singular, parliamentary road to socialism, that
does not mean that we cannot couple, education, agitation and the
effective organisation of the working class, within the finest
democratic principle, that of complete, human social equality.
The garnering of the grassroots working class into a revolutionary
community, spreading the precious gospel of discontent, and resisting
those who seek to restrict human equality by oppression, economic
sanction, exploiting the fine tradition of human independence and
individuality, under the banner representing benign 'western
democracy' as the saviour of mankind from ourselves.
When exploitation, coercion, misinformation and stealth fail, it has
no compunction in launching malign "western democracy'. Causing fear,
mistrust and division as a means of controlling the working classes.
They introduce and impose 'western democracy' as an imperialist
antidote to global/local human suffering, Usually through the
barrels of its weapons of mass human destruction.
We have to struggle by using whatever effective tactics at our
disposal, including the highest revolutionary & democratic principles
that are the backbone of Republican Socialism.
Not withstanding the equality restrictions contained within
parliamentary democracy, Republican Socialism needs to be in the
business of challenging, exposing, disrupting and eventually
overturning the rule of the 'Western Democratic Exploitation Front'
in Ireland.
>From another political tradition that has turned into what we now
recognise as Republican Nationalism, once said, and I paraphrase;
'Who here would object if we seized power in Ireland with a ballot
box in one hand and an armalite in the other?"
For Irish Republican Socialists our mantra should be; we don't care
who objects to "the working class ceasing power in Ireland, with a
ballot box in this hand and the collective capacity of human
consciousness, intellect and resourcefulness in the other. Not
withstanding, the other tactics we require to achieve success,
stuffed into our empty pockets!"
Out weapon of choice should be REVOLUTIONARY DEMOCRACY.
*******
What's On?
"My appeal is to the working class. I appeal to them exclusively,
because they, and only they, can bring about the time when the whole
world will be one brotherhood, on a sound economic foundation. That,
and that alone, can be the means of bringing about a reorganisation
of society. That can only be obtained when the people of the world
get the world and retain the world." - John McLean
*
In the Cause of Labour: A History of British Trade Unionism
http://www.marxist.com/History/inthecause_oflabour/article_socapp.html
There are many narrative histories of the struggles of British
workers. However Rob Sewell's book is different. The purpose of
this history of British trade unionism is not only to recite the wrongs
inflicted on working people, or simply to describe their heroic
struggles. It is an attempt to draw out the lessons of the events
that helped shape the Labour movement, and made it what it is. This
is a book that sets out from the proposition that the interests
between capital and labour are incompatible and takes sides in the
war between the classes.
12.30pm Wednesday 26th November Justice for Colombia Reception hosted
by Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM-First Minister of Wales at Conference
Rooms A&B, Assembly Rooms, CARDIFF
10am - 1pm Saturday 29th November TUC Congress House, Council Chamber
(5th floor), Great Russell Street, LONDON WC1 (nearest tube Tottenham
Court Road).
Other speakers: Brendan Barber (TUC General Secretary and Justice for
Colombia President); Isabel Hilton (The Guardian); Jeremy Dear
(National Union of Journalists General Secretary); Dr. Angela Roger
(Association of University Teachers Vice-president). Chair: Mick Rix
(Justice for Colombia Vice-Chair).
Places are limited, so please ensure you book in advance:
info@justiceforcolombia.org 020 7794 3644
*
Fri-Sun, 28-30 Nov.
Marxism 2003
TCD, Dublin, Organised by SWSS
Marxism 03 is one for discussion and debate on the Irish left. It
brings together speakers from the Irish and international movements
against war and neo-liberalism.
International speakers include Mike Davis (US author of City of
Quartz); Alex Callinicos (Prof. of Politics at York), plus socialist
speakers from the Middle East and Africa. Other speakers include
Eamonn McCann (Author and Journalist), Ivana Bacik (Reid Prof. Of
Law, TCD), Patricia McKenna (MEP, Green Party), Richard Boyd Barett
(Chair IAWM), Nuria Mustafa (Iraqi exile), Ronit Lenotin (Campaign
against Deportations), Andy Storey (AfrI) and many more.
*
NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY - THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast,
BT15 2GB From 9.30am - 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction
of the Water tax and how this will affect every section of our
community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you
will have no relief from Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by
21st November 2003.
*
Saturday 29 November 12.00-2.00pm
National demonstration to close Campsfield House
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
1 Delaunays Road Manchester M8 4QS tel: 0121 554 6947
*
Saturday 29 November
Kurdish demonstration For Peace and Democracy
Assemble 1.30pm at Lincoln's Inn Fields
March to 10 Downing Street
*
December 2003 Events
Friday, 5 December and Saturday 6 December
Oxfam, War on Want, World Development Movement
Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas Market
Conway Hall
Book your selling space at Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas market before
10 October and get a 10% discount on the price of your stall. Unit 6,
Canonbury Yard 190a, New North Road, London N1
Tel: 020 7354 4231
*
5-6 December
NETWORK FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Working for a peaceful future: Campaigning for peace against a
context of the never-ending "war on terrorism".
5-6 December Venue: Friends House, Euston Road, London.
Info and/or to book a stall contact: Network for Peace - tel: 020 72783267
email: nfp@gn.apc.org
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/
*
Friday 5 December 4-8pm
Saturday 6 December 11am-6pm
World Fair at the Conway Hall
Red Lion Square, WC1
*
Sat, 6 December U.S. TROOPS OUT OF SHANNON!
Blockade the Warport Assemble at 2 pm at Lidl Carpark in Shannon
Town. More details on IAWM website Buses will be organised from
Dublin (contact Aoife at 087 795 5013), Cork (for more details
contact John at 086 300 4573), Galway (details later).
All Anti War groups are requested to hold public meetings, if
possible in the weeks coming up to this protest. The public meeting
should be used to build for as large a protest at Shannon as
possible.
*
Saturday 13 December 1-4pm opposite Downing Street
Public Rally Justice for detainees now!
Afghanistan.Iraq Belmarsh prison in the UK....with speakers and a
petition calling for an end to imprisonment without trial! For
details contact CAMPACC on 020 7586 5892
*
Saturday, 13 to Monday 15 December
Major Women-only demonstration and blockade, Menwith Hill
Info: morganshs@hotmail.com
*
THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AGAINST ISOLATION - CONFERENCE ON
POLITICAL PRISONERS
It is an INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS and is being
held on Dec. 19th. 20th and 21St.WHERE: The symposium will take place
in Palazzio Vecchio in Salone Duecentoda.
Address:
COMUNE DI FIRENZE,
Palazzo Vecchio Pzza Signoria
50122 - FIRENZE
HOW: The order is speakers is divided geographically. So, for
instance, the first day speakers from Asia, America, Africa will
speak, the next day from Europe and the final decisions will be made.
WHO: A list of organisations and persons, who have so far confirmed
their participation in the symposium:
* Ahmet Kulaksiz, he lost his two daughters Canan and Zehra during
the death fast in Turkey
* Ex-political prisoners from Turkey (and Europe)
* Wainer Burani, a lawyer from Italy, who will speak about the
prisons in Italy and the Anti-Terror-Law
* Gianfranco di Maio, a doctor from Italy, who will speak about
the force-feeding measurement
* Mohammed Safa, a representative of the Al Khiam Rehabilitation
Centre for Torture Victims, he will speak about the Lebanese
prisoners in the Zionist prisons.
* Ibrahim Mahajna, a lawyer who lives in Ramallah and is member
of the Palestinian Human Rights Commission. He will speak about the
situation of the prisoners at Ansar 3.
* Marcella della Donne, professor at the La Sapienza University
in Rome
* A representative of the Cuban Embassy in Rome and probably a
lawyer who is the brother of one of the "Cuban 5", who are imprisoned
in Miami
* Representatives of the Austrian Committee "Free the Cuban Five"
* Haidi Giulani, mother of Carlo Giulani, who was killed by
police during the demonstrations in Genoa
* Representatives of Behatokia, the Basque Observatory for Human
Rights
* Rote Hilfe (red help)
* A representative of the London-based Irish Political Status
Committee
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call 0031-20-675 09 26
or 0032-2-280 2228;
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please
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Subscribe to the bi-monthly
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THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
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To: The Starry Plough
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http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
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http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
21 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Getting It All Wrong Again, Paul Williams!
2. INLA Deportees
3. Anti Racist Network
4. Health Workers on Hunger Strike
5. Sinaltrainal in Ireland
6. Remember the Revolutionary Contribution of Kwame Ture
7. Debate
8. What's On?
*******
Getting It All Wrong
By Liam O'Ruairc
Crimelords by Paul Williams (Dublin, Merlin Publishing, 2003)
£9.99, ISBN 1-903582-51-2
Paul Williams is an "investigative journalist" working for the Sunday
World tabloid. He wrote his latest book because over the last few
years in Ireland "organised crime has seen a dramatic upsurge which
seems certain to continue." This alarmist book presents 21st century
Ireland as some kind of 1930s Chicago. In fact in the 26 counties the
level of crime for the last 17 years has remained virtually static,
and by international standards the murder rate is not high: in the
year 2000 the homicide rate was 1.48 per 100 000 of the population
compared to 1.97 in Sweden, 2.11 in Scotland and 5.64 in the USA.
(Sunday Business Post 9.11.2003)
The book exagerates, but does not investigate the roots of this
alleged upsurge in crime. The author does not investigate whether
there is an intrinsic connection between the neo-liberalism of the
Celtic Tiger and criminality, or whether drug abuse has something to
do with social and economic marginalisation. Williams does not
explore the structural causes of criminality. Instead he proposes
an "evil individual" theory of crime. The "Pimpernel", the "Viper",
the "Colonel", the "Westies" and other godfathers around which the
book is centered are blamed for crime.
How good is Paul Williams' investigation of the Irish underworld? A
look at his treatment of the INLA paramilitary organisation (which
occupies about the quarter of the book) should raise some scepticism
as to the overall value of his journalism. For Williams the INLA is
nothing but a "criminal rabble" with no cohesive approach to anything
apart from criminal activity, a "flag of convenience for a collection
of dangerous thugs". The point his investigation is trying to make is
that its members are "intrinsically involved in organised crime" and
are using Republican Socialism as a cover for this.
The chapters on the INLA are full of factual inaccuracies, some of
them quite astonishing. According to Williams, the founder of the
organisation, Seamus Costello "styled the organisation on European
Marxist terror groups such as the Red Brigades and the Bader (sic)
Meinhoff" (93). There is no evidence of this.
Anyone with a mininal knowledge of the history of the IRSP/INLA knows
that Costello wanted to build an organisation in the Left Republican
tradition to which groups like the RAF are totally foreign. Williams
comes with a most bizarre theory when blaming the killing of Costello
on Belfast-based members of the INLA who wanted to seize control of
the movement (93, 96). In fact, it is beyond doubt that he was killed
by Jim Flynn, of the Official IRA.
For someone who presents himself as a serious investigative
journalist, Williams makes serious factual mistakes. He makes the
astonishing claim that in the post 1987 period "over thirty INLA
members were murdered by former friends and associates" (106) Paul
Williams should then supply the reader with a list of those thirty
plus names, because they are nowhere to be found (in doubt check the
most recent edition of Lost Lives).
The author also writes that during the 1996 INLA feud "most of the
old GHQ faction remained loyal to 'Cueball' Torney" (119). Once
again, he gets the facts wrong, because apart from a couple of
individuals, the movement remained unified behind Cueball's
opponents. Williams should go and check the official statements which
were issued by the various people involved then.
When not getting the facts wrong, Williams sometimes simply invents
them. He writes that when Veronica Guerin was assassinated "an
official circular from the IRSP declared that Veronica Guerin had
effectively got what she deserved. They also sent a direct threat to
other crime journalists in the country stating that they would
receive the same treatment." (121) If this is the case, then he
should produce this 'official circular', because there has never been
such a circular issued by the IRSP.
The same goes for his statement that one year after their 1998
ceasefire, "in August 1999 the INLA declared that their war was
officially over." (125) Again, there have never been any such
statement either by the IRSP or the INLA.
On top of that, many minor details reveal the book to be sloppy. For
example, Williams writes that in 1998 the former leader of the IPLO
was twenty eight years old while born in 1960, and systematically
spells "expatriate" "ex-patriot".
Finally, Paul Williams' prose is as crude and vulgar as his political
analysis. For example Williams writes of a certain criminal that "he
considered the INLA to be his own police force and if anyone wanted
to fuck with him (sic) then they would be answerable to the thugs and
thieves in the 'movement'." (114) Such language and the fact that
Williams gets basic facts wrong should create doubt as to the value
and validity of his general argument. Compared to serious
investigative journalism, such as for example Vincent Browne's
investigations of the Workers Party and the Official IRA in Magill,
Paul Williams' book constitutes good sensationalism but not very
impressive analysis.
As to the actual remedies to organised criminality, Paul Williams is
implicitly and explicitly calling for more resources for law
enforcement agencies. The author notes that in 21st century
Ireland "law enforcement is in a state of crisis", not because the
the erosion of civil liberties while evidence grows about members of
the Garda abusing their powers, but because the government forgot its
promises of more officers and more resources.
His book reinforces the media climate encouraging more drastic laws
and tougher policing by exagerating criminality. It is interesting to
note that, as Vincent Browne reminds us, "by far the greatest piece
of organised crime we have seen here in decades and which won for the
perpetrators of that crime huge proceeds was entirely ignored by the
Criminal Assets Bureau. This was the mega Dirt Tax fraud perpetrated
by the big banks." (Sunday Business Post, 9.11.2003)
Yet, Paul Williams remains entirely silent on these "crimelords". And
the panic measures he calls for can only deepen the injustice and
intensify the alienation on which crime grows.
(This first appeared in the Blanket -
http://lark.phoblacht.net/allwronglor.html.)
*******
McAllister family on brink of deportation
Malachy McAllister, a former INLA member, is facing expulsion from
the U.S. after an immigration court denied his appeal against
deportation. McAllister and his family fled Belfast a little more
than 15 years ago after loyalist gunmen fired shots into their home.
They have lived in New Jersey.
One of his children, 26-year-old Gary, is married to an American
citizen, but despite this, he has also been included in the
deportation order. The courts recently ruled in favour of the
deportation of another former INLA man, John Edward McNicholl, and
refused to hear an appeal to suspend McNicholl's deportation.
McNicholl was arrested and deported within days of the court's
decision. His wife, a U.S. citizen, and two of the couple's three
children, also citizens, were forced to follow McNicholl to Ireland.
Is it a coincidence that two former INLA men are being victimised in
this way? Is this because we don't support the Good Friday Agreement
and oppose Bush and Blair's so called "war on terrorism?"
*******
ANTI RACIST NETWORK
The Anti Racist Network which comprises of various political
organisations, minority ethnic support groups, trades unionist and
trades union councils, law firms and asylum practitioners amongst
others have drawn up a list of questions which we seek to have
answered by the various political parties and their candidates
standing in the forthcoming elections. We feel such 'real' issues are
vitally important and call on the political parties to address these
questions both as a party and through their candidates in the course
of the debates and discussions during the elections.
1) What is your party policy on racism, asylum, Travellers, migrant
workers?
2} If elected what will you and your party do to actively seek to
combat the rise in racism and racist attacks?
3} Will you and your party work to end the detention of asylum
seekers held in prisons, which in effect is criminalizing persons
whose 'crime' is to seek asylum?
4} Will you and your party ensure that language will not be used that
will cause offence or can be used by others to attempt to increase
racial tensions?
5} Will your party actively support events that promote good race
relations and seek to forward the race equality agenda
For further details contact Valery or Nathalie in MCRC on 90244639
(valery@mcrc-ni.org) or David Carlin on 07974632485
(carlindavid@hotmail.com)
*******
Health Workers on Hunger Strike
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 16:22:53 -0000
11 Colombian health workers have declared themselves on hunger
strike. They are amongst the 138 workers who are engaged in a
peaceful occupation of the offices of the Ministry for Social
Protection. After three days of protest during which time minister
Diego Palacios has systematically denied any talks with leaders of
ANTHOC, the health workers union.
"The minister maintains that he will not enter talks with us until we
end the occupation, but that is what they told us a year before we
took this action and they still haven't done anything to solve the
hospital problem", said a union leader for the Social and Political
Front which has been accompanying the workers in defence of public
services. "The situation that the State has kept the hospitals has
generated a humanitarian crisis. We do not understand how the
Government can intervene with measures to save the finance sector
every time it goes into crisis, as was the case earlier this year,
but it does not do the same for the problems of health and public
education, that are not private businesses but fundamental rights as
guaranteed in the Constitution", the Front's National Executive
Committee argues in a political declaration.
"In this country there are talks with armed groups that have
committed crimes against humanity, massacres and forced the
displacement of more than three million of our people, but they
refuse to listen to the demands of workers who are defending the
rights of Colombians to a dignified health. And besides, the workers
are owed 14 months salary", declared one of the protesters.
The Social and Political Front demands guarantees for those inside
the Ministry offices, and those who have embarked on the hunger
strike, as well as an immediate solution to ANTHOC's demands. The
Colombian people can see that every day more hospitals are being
closed, while public funds are going to pay off the debt and to pay
for war.
Even when the Colombian people have, by defeating the Referendum,
shown themselves opposed to the neo-liberal policies of this and
previous governments, pronouncing themselves in favour of the State
paying the social debt that it has to the people through a strong
social investment to guarantee social justice for all Colombian men
and women.
Press Office
Social and Political Front
17 November 2003
*******
SINALTRAINAL in Ireland
The tour of Ireland by Luis Eduardo Garcia on behalf of SINALTRAINAL
was a great success.
Monday 11th November 2003 (Derry)
The tour started at Sandinos Bar in Derry, and was supported by Derry
Trades Council. There were 25-30 people in at the meeting and
Sandino's officially announced that it would be supporting the
boycott.
Tuesday 12th November 2003 (Belfast)
Royal Victoria Hospital - we met with about 30 members of UNISON, who
were very interested in the boycott. They agreed to speak to the
management of the hospital and try to get Coca Cola withdrawn from
the hospital premises.
Cultúrlann - (an Irish language cultural centre). We met with
about
40 people who were extremely supportive of the boycott. Cultúrlann
announced that it would no longer be selling Coca Cola, and Luis was
presented with a book about the Murals in the area.
Unemployed Resource Centre - again a well attended meeting about 40
people. The reception given to Luis was extremely good. At the
meeting the John Hewitt Bar announced officially that it would be
supporting the boycott and that it has withdrawn coke cola from sale.
Letters in support of the boycott were also read out from the Falls
Road Women's Centre and the Double Joint theatre group. The chief
librarian of the Linen Hall Library, John Gray, gave a letter stating
his personal support for the boycott.
Wednesday 13th November 2003 (Dublin)
University College Dublin - Students meeting
The meeting was well attended with over 120 students. There were a
number of good questions after Luis spoke and the students gave him 2
standing ovations, (including whistles cheers foot stamping etc). The
president of the union announced that the student union exec was
firmly behind the boycott. There is a small group calling for a
second referendum in the university to overturn the referendum, which
approved the boycott. They appear to be quite small and only 1 of
them asked any questions. Luis very politely managed to make him look
ridiculous!!
Coke also had their own campaign going with a dinner in a plush hotel
for invited students.
SIPTU - a bilateral meeting with the trade union representing Coca
Cola workers in Ireland.
Public Meeting
An excellent meeting of about 30 people. After a short introduction
from Luis the meeting was taken up with discussing ideas for action
in support of the boycott.
Media
Luis did 2 interviews in the North, one for an Irish language
publication and one for an on-line magazine called the Blanket (this
article has already been published) In the South he was interviewed
by 2 of the most popular TV channels and both interviews went out on
the 8 -9 o'clock news bulletins and he did 2 interviews with
journalists both of which seemed very sympathetic. This was combined
with the publicity achieved by Gearoid in Ireland who did a live
radio debate on Tuesday morning with Rafael Fernandez Garcia, Coca
Cola's Director of Communications in Latin America who had been flown
in from Coke's Atlanta HQ. Coke's Irish representative and students
from UCD and Trinity College also joined in the debate. This
programme is regularly listened to by over 300,000 people.
Students
Trinity College are collecting signatures with a view to holding
their own referenda and join UCD in the boycott. UCD have a second
referendum this week (watch this space).
Follow Up
Supporters of Sinaltrainal campaign are working on fundraising
activities on International Human Rights Day, 10th December.
*******
Remember the Revolutionary Contribution of Kwame Ture
Comrade John W. represented the Irish Republican Socialist Committees
of North America at an event hosted by the All-African People's
Revolutionary Party in Los Angeles, on November 19th. John read a
statement from the Irish Republican Socialist Party's International
Department, honouring Pan-African Socialist Kwame Ture on the
occasion of the fifth anniversary of his death.
Other solidarity statements were made by representatives of the
Native American movement and the IRSCNA. A representative from Guinea-
Bissau gave an excellent talk on Kwame Ture, Pan-Africanism, and the
need for unity among all oppressed peoples.
The A-APRP, as ever, gave the IRSM a warm welcome to their event,
demonstrating once again their internationalism and high level of
consciousness.
*******
DEBATE
"Let us look to a higher motive than praise or profit - to promote
truth and labour together, as Irishmen, bound by love of country,
which is far higher and stronger tie than any human obligation." -
Jemmy Hope
This is a short reply I did to the question where do we go from here?
I would be interested in feedback. slan, Pol.
In Search of the Revolutionary Grail!
By Paul Little (20/11/03)
It is clear the current political strategy of the IRSP is
contradictory. As to why this is appears complex, however the fact
that it is complex should not put us off the search for an effective
revolutionary strategy.
Any revolutionary strategy should be focused on achieving the
successful conclusion of the Republican Socialist project, not bogged
down in the historical dogma and procedural dead ends of our own
past, failed strategies.
Some of the 'old certainties', tactics, rational and dogma of the
Irish freedom struggle need to be challenged as to their purpose and
usefulness to future struggle. We have had enough of the nearly,
religious ritual defeat of our project, that is excused with the
embarrassing but correct assertion that "we fought the good fight and
lost and it's up to the following generation to carry on." What
hogwash! It is the duty of today's revolutionaries to be positive in
our formulation of a revolutionary strategy, determined in its
execution and persistent for its successful conclusion,
Whilst there maybe no singular, parliamentary road to socialism, that
does not mean that we cannot couple, education, agitation and the
effective organisation of the working class, within the finest
democratic principle, that of complete, human social equality.
The garnering of the grassroots working class into a revolutionary
community, spreading the precious gospel of discontent, and resisting
those who seek to restrict human equality by oppression, economic
sanction, exploiting the fine tradition of human independence and
individuality, under the banner representing benign 'western
democracy' as the saviour of mankind from ourselves.
When exploitation, coercion, misinformation and stealth fail, it has
no compunction in launching malign "western democracy'. Causing fear,
mistrust and division as a means of controlling the working classes.
They introduce and impose 'western democracy' as an imperialist
antidote to global/local human suffering, Usually through the
barrels of its weapons of mass human destruction.
We have to struggle by using whatever effective tactics at our
disposal, including the highest revolutionary & democratic principles
that are the backbone of Republican Socialism.
Not withstanding the equality restrictions contained within
parliamentary democracy, Republican Socialism needs to be in the
business of challenging, exposing, disrupting and eventually
overturning the rule of the 'Western Democratic Exploitation Front'
in Ireland.
>From another political tradition that has turned into what we now
recognise as Republican Nationalism, once said, and I paraphrase;
'Who here would object if we seized power in Ireland with a ballot
box in one hand and an armalite in the other?"
For Irish Republican Socialists our mantra should be; we don't care
who objects to "the working class ceasing power in Ireland, with a
ballot box in this hand and the collective capacity of human
consciousness, intellect and resourcefulness in the other. Not
withstanding, the other tactics we require to achieve success,
stuffed into our empty pockets!"
Out weapon of choice should be REVOLUTIONARY DEMOCRACY.
*******
What's On?
"My appeal is to the working class. I appeal to them exclusively,
because they, and only they, can bring about the time when the whole
world will be one brotherhood, on a sound economic foundation. That,
and that alone, can be the means of bringing about a reorganisation
of society. That can only be obtained when the people of the world
get the world and retain the world." - John McLean
*
In the Cause of Labour: A History of British Trade Unionism
http://www.marxist.com/History/inthecause_oflabour/article_socapp.html
There are many narrative histories of the struggles of British
workers. However Rob Sewell's book is different. The purpose of
this history of British trade unionism is not only to recite the wrongs
inflicted on working people, or simply to describe their heroic
struggles. It is an attempt to draw out the lessons of the events
that helped shape the Labour movement, and made it what it is. This
is a book that sets out from the proposition that the interests
between capital and labour are incompatible and takes sides in the
war between the classes.
12.30pm Wednesday 26th November Justice for Colombia Reception hosted
by Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM-First Minister of Wales at Conference
Rooms A&B, Assembly Rooms, CARDIFF
10am - 1pm Saturday 29th November TUC Congress House, Council Chamber
(5th floor), Great Russell Street, LONDON WC1 (nearest tube Tottenham
Court Road).
Other speakers: Brendan Barber (TUC General Secretary and Justice for
Colombia President); Isabel Hilton (The Guardian); Jeremy Dear
(National Union of Journalists General Secretary); Dr. Angela Roger
(Association of University Teachers Vice-president). Chair: Mick Rix
(Justice for Colombia Vice-Chair).
Places are limited, so please ensure you book in advance:
info@justiceforcolombia.org 020 7794 3644
*
Fri-Sun, 28-30 Nov.
Marxism 2003
TCD, Dublin, Organised by SWSS
Marxism 03 is one for discussion and debate on the Irish left. It
brings together speakers from the Irish and international movements
against war and neo-liberalism.
International speakers include Mike Davis (US author of City of
Quartz); Alex Callinicos (Prof. of Politics at York), plus socialist
speakers from the Middle East and Africa. Other speakers include
Eamonn McCann (Author and Journalist), Ivana Bacik (Reid Prof. Of
Law, TCD), Patricia McKenna (MEP, Green Party), Richard Boyd Barett
(Chair IAWM), Nuria Mustafa (Iraqi exile), Ronit Lenotin (Campaign
against Deportations), Andy Storey (AfrI) and many more.
*
NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY - THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast,
BT15 2GB From 9.30am - 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction
of the Water tax and how this will affect every section of our
community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you
will have no relief from Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by
21st November 2003.
*
Saturday 29 November 12.00-2.00pm
National demonstration to close Campsfield House
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
1 Delaunays Road Manchester M8 4QS tel: 0121 554 6947
*
Saturday 29 November
Kurdish demonstration For Peace and Democracy
Assemble 1.30pm at Lincoln's Inn Fields
March to 10 Downing Street
*
December 2003 Events
Friday, 5 December and Saturday 6 December
Oxfam, War on Want, World Development Movement
Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas Market
Conway Hall
Book your selling space at Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas market before
10 October and get a 10% discount on the price of your stall. Unit 6,
Canonbury Yard 190a, New North Road, London N1
Tel: 020 7354 4231
*
5-6 December
NETWORK FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Working for a peaceful future: Campaigning for peace against a
context of the never-ending "war on terrorism".
5-6 December Venue: Friends House, Euston Road, London.
Info and/or to book a stall contact: Network for Peace - tel: 020 72783267
email: nfp@gn.apc.org
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/
*
Friday 5 December 4-8pm
Saturday 6 December 11am-6pm
World Fair at the Conway Hall
Red Lion Square, WC1
*
Sat, 6 December U.S. TROOPS OUT OF SHANNON!
Blockade the Warport Assemble at 2 pm at Lidl Carpark in Shannon
Town. More details on IAWM website Buses will be organised from
Dublin (contact Aoife at 087 795 5013), Cork (for more details
contact John at 086 300 4573), Galway (details later).
All Anti War groups are requested to hold public meetings, if
possible in the weeks coming up to this protest. The public meeting
should be used to build for as large a protest at Shannon as
possible.
*
Saturday 13 December 1-4pm opposite Downing Street
Public Rally Justice for detainees now!
Afghanistan.Iraq Belmarsh prison in the UK....with speakers and a
petition calling for an end to imprisonment without trial! For
details contact CAMPACC on 020 7586 5892
*
Saturday, 13 to Monday 15 December
Major Women-only demonstration and blockade, Menwith Hill
Info: morganshs@hotmail.com
*
THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AGAINST ISOLATION - CONFERENCE ON
POLITICAL PRISONERS
It is an INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS and is being
held on Dec. 19th. 20th and 21St.WHERE: The symposium will take place
in Palazzio Vecchio in Salone Duecentoda.
Address:
COMUNE DI FIRENZE,
Palazzo Vecchio Pzza Signoria
50122 - FIRENZE
HOW: The order is speakers is divided geographically. So, for
instance, the first day speakers from Asia, America, Africa will
speak, the next day from Europe and the final decisions will be made.
WHO: A list of organisations and persons, who have so far confirmed
their participation in the symposium:
* Ahmet Kulaksiz, he lost his two daughters Canan and Zehra during
the death fast in Turkey
* Ex-political prisoners from Turkey (and Europe)
* Wainer Burani, a lawyer from Italy, who will speak about the
prisons in Italy and the Anti-Terror-Law
* Gianfranco di Maio, a doctor from Italy, who will speak about
the force-feeding measurement
* Mohammed Safa, a representative of the Al Khiam Rehabilitation
Centre for Torture Victims, he will speak about the Lebanese
prisoners in the Zionist prisons.
* Ibrahim Mahajna, a lawyer who lives in Ramallah and is member
of the Palestinian Human Rights Commission. He will speak about the
situation of the prisoners at Ansar 3.
* Marcella della Donne, professor at the La Sapienza University
in Rome
* A representative of the Cuban Embassy in Rome and probably a
lawyer who is the brother of one of the "Cuban 5", who are imprisoned
in Miami
* Representatives of the Austrian Committee "Free the Cuban Five"
* Haidi Giulani, mother of Carlo Giulani, who was killed by
police during the demonstrations in Genoa
* Representatives of Behatokia, the Basque Observatory for Human
Rights
* Rote Hilfe (red help)
* A representative of the London-based Irish Political Status
Committee
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call 0031-20-675 09 26
or 0032-2-280 2228;
*******
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The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
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Friday 14 November 2003
The Plough Vol 01 No 14
The Plough #14
14 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Statement From The Leadership Of The Irish National Liberation Army
2. Out Of Order
3. Major Blow for Progressive Republicans
4. Boycott Coca Cola
5. The Rights of Colombian workers
6. What's On
*******
STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IRISH NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY
The following statement was read out at the Unveiling of a Memorial
to Neil McMonagle in Derry on Sunday 9th November 2003
Friends and Comrades, the leadership of the INLA wish to take this
opportunity to once again pay tribute to Volunteer Neil McMonagle and
to all our other volunteers who died in the struggle for national
liberation and socialism. All our volunteers were of the working
class and for the working class. They fought not for personal greed
or personal advancement but for the liberation of the Irish working
class from both foreign imperialism and native capitalism. Like Neil,
they were heroes one and all. We salute them.
May we also place on the public record and pay homage to, and express
our admiration and respect for, other republican volunteers, no
matter which organisation they came from, who over the past thirty
years also sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the Republic.
They died during the recent armed conflict. Revolutionaries know that
the one thing you can be sure of is change. Life changes, societies
change, and people change. Accordingly, the tactics of
revolutionaries have to adapt to these changes. This leadership knew
that the phase of armed struggle had come to an end for this
generation when the people of Ireland voted for the Good Friday
Agreement. We acted accordingly, called a ceasefire, and began the
long process of readapting to the new situation by increasing the
politicisation of the whole movement. We call on our friends,
supporters, and members to turn the absence of armed struggle to
political activity, to listen to the concerns of the people, to share
their hardships and struggles, and to continue to organise.
Challenging times lay ahead for us all after the current elections
are over. It is not the function of this Army to tell people who to
vote for or even to vote or not vote. People are intelligent and wise
enough to make their own decisions. While we may not like their
decisions, the decisions should be respected. Too often in the past,
the people have been relegated to a sideline role, mere spectators
while others decided their fate. No matter what political settlement
is cobbled together, we can say without fear of contradiction that it
will not solve the fundamental contradictions within the Northern
statelet. Whether we face a new power sharing administration, direct
rule, or joint sovereignty, the twin evils of sectarianism and
poverty will remain. The national question and the class question are
indissolubly linked.
To those who adhere to the beliefs of Connolly, we say this is not
the time for republican socialists to do nothing. There needs to be a
realignment of those who are in opposition to an internal Stormont
settlement, are for working class unity, and oppose the neo-liberal
economic agenda that the last power-sharing executive implemented.
That has to be the major political task of the day.
For ourselves, we wish to reiterate that this Army will remain true
to the fundamental principles of our founder, Seamus Costello, and
will play our part in the building of the Socialist Republic as an
Army of the people and for the people.
*******
OUT OF ORDER
At the unveiling of the monument to Neil McMonagle an old comrade of
Neil's spoke and read out a poem for Neil. However after that he then
launched a political attack on the leadership of Sinn Fein and called
for the decommissioning of that leadership. We do not have much
problem with the criticisms. After all the IRSP were among the first
to attack the political direction that the Provos were going down as
far back as 1994. However we believe it was wrong for the individual
to use the occasion of the unveiling of a memorial plaque to a dead
volunteer to attack another organisation. Not only did he embarrass
the family of Neil McMonagle but also his use of language bordered on
personal abuse of Sinn Fein's leadership. We don't think it right to
engage in personal attacks. Political criticism and disagreement does
not have to be weakened by personal abuse. The individual concerned
abused his position last Sunday. He could have drawn the Republican
Socialist movement into unnecessary conflict with the Provisional
Movement. The least we think Liam O'Comain should do is to apologise
to the McMonagle family.
*******
Major Blow for Progressive Republicans
When the Good Friday Agreement was signed the IRSP predicted it would
fail. We also said that given the decision of the vast majority of
the Irish people who voted for the agreement we would do nothing to
hinder the implementation of the GFA. Following the suspension four
times of the Assembly, the postponement of elections on the whim of
the British Prime Minister, and the failure of the Unionists to be
satisfied with three major acts of decommissioning by the Provisional
IRA, we are now coming to the end of that phase of the GFA. After the
elections on November the 26th there will be a review of the GFA and
then negotiations to establish a new administration between
representatives of the two major sectarian blocs. We say sectarian
blocs because that was built into the GFA. In the coming election
those who are elected must designate themselves as nationalist,
unionist, or other. We find this offensive, for as republicans we
never saw ourselves as nationalists; rather, we adhere to the
original internationalism of Wolfe Tone's brand of republicanism.
Furthermore the failure of socialists and republicans to negotiate
some sort of principled platform to oppose the sectarian policies and
reactionary economic polices of the main parties means that there is
no clear opposition to the prevailing political consensus. This is a
major blow for progressive republicans. Accordingly the IRSP are not
standing in this election. The opportunism of some small left
candidates to put themselves forward under different guises should
fool no one. The Socialist Environmental Alliance in Derry is really
a front for the Socialist Workers Party along with a few well-
meaning individuals. The SWP is noted for its opportunism and
divisiveness. The Socialist Party, a small politically sectarian
group, have two candidates and talk about "a real peace process built
from the bottom up by uniting people in the working class
communities." This is the same group that refuses to engage with any
republican group and has a long history of anti-republicanism. They
have nothing to offer to any peace process. They do not represent a
viable alternate never mind a left alternative. All they do is
alienate many from becoming socialists with their frenzied dogmatic
approach to politics.
A leading member of the INLA, Ta Power, said before his assassination
that the people were not fools and could tell who were the chancers
and timewasters. Before the mass of the people one has always to be
open and honest. We will not call for a vote for any candidates in
this election. The people are wise enough to decide who they should
vote for or indeed if there is any point in them casting a vote.
However this should be the last time that republicans and socialists
leave open the election field to our class enemies.
While the IRSP is not yet ready to fight elections, all future
elections should be fought:
1/ on a basis of opposition to an internal Stormont settlement,
2/ working class unity and
3/ opposition to the neo-liberal economic agenda that the last power-
sharing executive implemented.
Immediately after these elections the IRSP will be encouraging debate
and dialogue amongst all those who can agree with any of the above
three points. If we can get agreement with others, fine. If not, then
by the time of the next elections if the IRSP do not throw our hat
into the election ring, then we should shut up shop.
(John Martin)
*******
Boycott Coca Cola!!
Resist the Multinational Empire
The Coca Cola Boycott
Colombian Trade Unions and the World Social Forum called an
international boycott of all Coca Cola products in July this year.
Over recent years eight trade union leaders working at Coca Cola
bottling plants in Colombia and the wife of one them have been
assassinated by paramilitary death squads. Yet despite a US court
accepting that its subsidiaries have a case to answer, Coca Cola
still refuses to cooperate and protect the lives of workers in
Colombia.
We can ensure that Coca Cola listens. Boycotts can and do work
(remember Dunne's and South African products). People all over the
world are resisting the 'multinational empire'.
(E-mail from Daisy Mules)
*******
The Rights of Colombian workers
URGENT ACTION: Drummond unionist in grave danger
The life of Jimmi Rubio, an employee of the Alabama-based Drummond
mining company and a Sintramienergetica union leader, is in grave
danger, as a result of his work to defend the rights of Colombian
workers and to identify the people responsible for serious human
rights violations. The paramilitaries have offered $500,000,000 pesos
(US$178,000) as a reward for his murder. He is in a special
governmental protection program but it has recently been discovered
that information has been leaked and that his assassination is
imminent. His wife and two children are also in danger. The Canadian
and US Embassies have refused to receive the Human Rights officials
from the Fiscalía and the Procuraduría, Claudia Ortiz and Luis
Carlos Toledo, who have all of the information and evidence about the
danger faced by Jimmi Rubio and his family.
Please send letters TODAY to these embassies urging them to meet with
Ms. Ortiz and Mr. Toledo, review the information, and issue a visa to
Jimmi to allow him and his family to leave Colombia immediately.
Canadian Embassy: Fax 011-571-657-9914, Attn: Mr. Pierre
US Embassy in Colombia: 011 (571) 315-2197, 011 (571) 315-4155
Copies to: Fiscalia 011-571-570-2000 x1023, Procuraduria 011-571-
336-0011 x11502/9
Source: International Labour Rights Fund, Washington DC, November
10, 2003
*******
What's On?
European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
European Social Forum, St Denis, Paris
MWAW seminar on the media and imperialist wars
Tickets available for £80 return - book on 0207 053 2072
http://www.fse-esf.org/
Saturday 15 November 11am
What Future for the Palestine-Israeli Conflict with Ghada Karmi
French Institute, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7
Information: email monde-diplo-friends@mondediplo.com
Tel: 0709 234 8726
Saturday, 15 November 2pm
Socialist History Society Public Meeting
Labour and Immigration: A Brief History
Dr. Don MacRaild
Marx House, Clerkenwell Green (Nr. Farringdon Underground)
CONTACT: David Morgan 020 8446 3037 Mike Squires: 020 8673 8283
Sunday 16 November - Friday 21 November
Stop the War Coalition will hold a series of events to mark George
Bush's state visit to Britain on19, 20 and21 November.
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/
*
Friday 22nd November the 83rd commemoration to honour Eddie Carmody
will assembly at the Carmody Memorial Hall at 8.30 p.m. and a march
to the Memorial at Rusheen.
A Kerry man, Lt. Eddie Carmody was murdered on 22nd November 1920 and
his body was dragged through the village on a donkey's cart to the
barracks where it was left in the turf shed until collected by his
father.
*
COLOMBIA
1) Gearóid Ó Loingsigh's recent book The Integral Strategy of
the Paramilitaries in Colombia's Magdalena Medio can be downloaded
from web site http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/
2) Congressman Wilson Borja tour "Colombia in Conflict: Britain's
Secret War?" (Organised by Justice for Colombia and War on Want)
1.30pm Thursday 20 November Parliamentary Reception hosted by Tony
Lloyd MP, Jubilee Room, House of Parliament (St. Stephen's entrance)
RSVP: info@justiceforcolombia.org or 020 7794 3644
6pm Friday 21st November Mechanics Institute, Princess Street,
MANCHESTER
5pm Monday 24th November GLASGOW University
12.30pm Wednesday 26th November Justice for Colombia Reception hosted
by Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM-First Minister of Wales at Conference
Rooms A&B, Assembly Rooms, CARDIFF
7pm Thursday 27th November The Old Market, Upper Market Street, HOVE
10am - 1pm Saturday 29th November TUC Congress House, Council Chamber
(5th floor), Great Russell Street, LONDON WC1 (nearest tube Tottenham
Court Road).
Other speakers: Brendan Barber (TUC General Secretary and Justice for
Colombia President); Isabel Hilton (The Guardian); Jeremy Dear
(National Union of Journalists General Secretary); Dr. Angela Roger
(Association of University Teachers Vice-president). Chair: Mick Rix
(Justice for Colombia Vice-Chair).
Places are limited, so please ensure you book in advance:
info@justiceforcolombia.org 020 7794 3644
*
NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY - THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast,
BT15 2GB From 9.30am - 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction
of the Water tax and how this will affect every section of our
community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you
will have no relief from Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by
21st November 2003.
*
Saturday 29 November 12.00-2.00pm
National demonstration to close Campsfield House
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
1 Delaunays Road Manchester M8 4QS tel: 0121 554 6947
*
Saturday 29 November
Kurdish demonstration For Peace and Democracy
Assemble 1.30pm at Lincoln's Inn Fields
March to 10 Downing Street
*
December 2003 Events
Friday, 5 December and Saturday 6 December
Oxfam, War on Want, World Development Movement
Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas Market
Conway Hall
Book your selling space at Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas market before
10 October and get a 10% discount on the price of your stall. Unit 6,
Canonbury Yard 190a, New North Road, London N1
Tel: 020 7354 4231
*
5-6 December
NETWORK FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Working for a peaceful future: Campaigning for peace against a
context of the never-ending "war on terrorism".
5-6 December Venue: Friends House, Euston Road, London.
Info and/or to book a stall contact: Network for Peace - tel: 020 72783267
email: nfp@gn.apc.org
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/
*
Friday 5 December 4-8pm
Saturday 6 December 11am-6pm
World Fair at the Conway Hall
Red Lion Square, WC1
*
Saturday 13 December 1-4pm opposite Downing Street
Public Rally Justice for detainees now!
Afghanistan.Iraq Belmarsh prison in the UK....with speakers and a
petition calling for an end to imprisonment without trial! For
details contact CAMPACC on 020 7586 5892
*
Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 December
Cairo Conference
Saturday, 13 to Monday 15 December
Major Women-only demonstration and blockade, Menwith Hill
Info: morganshs@hotmail.com
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please
send his or her e-mail address to johnmartinps@eircom.net
If you wish to receive back copies of the "The Plough" Please e-mail
to johnmartinps@eircom.net stating which numbers you wish.
To unsubscribe to the Plough please send e-mail
entitled "unsubscribe" to johnmartinps@eircom.net
It is the policy of the Plough to acknowledge information and
articles from other sources.
Subscribe to the bi-monthly
"The Starry Plough/An Camchéachta"
P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland.
THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.irsm.org/irsp/starryplough/
Fighting Fund/Donations
To: The Starry Plough
First Trust Bank, Derry, BT48 6BU
Account No. 14986015 Sort Code No. 93-86-10
http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
h-Éireann)
http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
14 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Statement From The Leadership Of The Irish National Liberation Army
2. Out Of Order
3. Major Blow for Progressive Republicans
4. Boycott Coca Cola
5. The Rights of Colombian workers
6. What's On
*******
STATEMENT FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IRISH NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY
The following statement was read out at the Unveiling of a Memorial
to Neil McMonagle in Derry on Sunday 9th November 2003
Friends and Comrades, the leadership of the INLA wish to take this
opportunity to once again pay tribute to Volunteer Neil McMonagle and
to all our other volunteers who died in the struggle for national
liberation and socialism. All our volunteers were of the working
class and for the working class. They fought not for personal greed
or personal advancement but for the liberation of the Irish working
class from both foreign imperialism and native capitalism. Like Neil,
they were heroes one and all. We salute them.
May we also place on the public record and pay homage to, and express
our admiration and respect for, other republican volunteers, no
matter which organisation they came from, who over the past thirty
years also sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the Republic.
They died during the recent armed conflict. Revolutionaries know that
the one thing you can be sure of is change. Life changes, societies
change, and people change. Accordingly, the tactics of
revolutionaries have to adapt to these changes. This leadership knew
that the phase of armed struggle had come to an end for this
generation when the people of Ireland voted for the Good Friday
Agreement. We acted accordingly, called a ceasefire, and began the
long process of readapting to the new situation by increasing the
politicisation of the whole movement. We call on our friends,
supporters, and members to turn the absence of armed struggle to
political activity, to listen to the concerns of the people, to share
their hardships and struggles, and to continue to organise.
Challenging times lay ahead for us all after the current elections
are over. It is not the function of this Army to tell people who to
vote for or even to vote or not vote. People are intelligent and wise
enough to make their own decisions. While we may not like their
decisions, the decisions should be respected. Too often in the past,
the people have been relegated to a sideline role, mere spectators
while others decided their fate. No matter what political settlement
is cobbled together, we can say without fear of contradiction that it
will not solve the fundamental contradictions within the Northern
statelet. Whether we face a new power sharing administration, direct
rule, or joint sovereignty, the twin evils of sectarianism and
poverty will remain. The national question and the class question are
indissolubly linked.
To those who adhere to the beliefs of Connolly, we say this is not
the time for republican socialists to do nothing. There needs to be a
realignment of those who are in opposition to an internal Stormont
settlement, are for working class unity, and oppose the neo-liberal
economic agenda that the last power-sharing executive implemented.
That has to be the major political task of the day.
For ourselves, we wish to reiterate that this Army will remain true
to the fundamental principles of our founder, Seamus Costello, and
will play our part in the building of the Socialist Republic as an
Army of the people and for the people.
*******
OUT OF ORDER
At the unveiling of the monument to Neil McMonagle an old comrade of
Neil's spoke and read out a poem for Neil. However after that he then
launched a political attack on the leadership of Sinn Fein and called
for the decommissioning of that leadership. We do not have much
problem with the criticisms. After all the IRSP were among the first
to attack the political direction that the Provos were going down as
far back as 1994. However we believe it was wrong for the individual
to use the occasion of the unveiling of a memorial plaque to a dead
volunteer to attack another organisation. Not only did he embarrass
the family of Neil McMonagle but also his use of language bordered on
personal abuse of Sinn Fein's leadership. We don't think it right to
engage in personal attacks. Political criticism and disagreement does
not have to be weakened by personal abuse. The individual concerned
abused his position last Sunday. He could have drawn the Republican
Socialist movement into unnecessary conflict with the Provisional
Movement. The least we think Liam O'Comain should do is to apologise
to the McMonagle family.
*******
Major Blow for Progressive Republicans
When the Good Friday Agreement was signed the IRSP predicted it would
fail. We also said that given the decision of the vast majority of
the Irish people who voted for the agreement we would do nothing to
hinder the implementation of the GFA. Following the suspension four
times of the Assembly, the postponement of elections on the whim of
the British Prime Minister, and the failure of the Unionists to be
satisfied with three major acts of decommissioning by the Provisional
IRA, we are now coming to the end of that phase of the GFA. After the
elections on November the 26th there will be a review of the GFA and
then negotiations to establish a new administration between
representatives of the two major sectarian blocs. We say sectarian
blocs because that was built into the GFA. In the coming election
those who are elected must designate themselves as nationalist,
unionist, or other. We find this offensive, for as republicans we
never saw ourselves as nationalists; rather, we adhere to the
original internationalism of Wolfe Tone's brand of republicanism.
Furthermore the failure of socialists and republicans to negotiate
some sort of principled platform to oppose the sectarian policies and
reactionary economic polices of the main parties means that there is
no clear opposition to the prevailing political consensus. This is a
major blow for progressive republicans. Accordingly the IRSP are not
standing in this election. The opportunism of some small left
candidates to put themselves forward under different guises should
fool no one. The Socialist Environmental Alliance in Derry is really
a front for the Socialist Workers Party along with a few well-
meaning individuals. The SWP is noted for its opportunism and
divisiveness. The Socialist Party, a small politically sectarian
group, have two candidates and talk about "a real peace process built
from the bottom up by uniting people in the working class
communities." This is the same group that refuses to engage with any
republican group and has a long history of anti-republicanism. They
have nothing to offer to any peace process. They do not represent a
viable alternate never mind a left alternative. All they do is
alienate many from becoming socialists with their frenzied dogmatic
approach to politics.
A leading member of the INLA, Ta Power, said before his assassination
that the people were not fools and could tell who were the chancers
and timewasters. Before the mass of the people one has always to be
open and honest. We will not call for a vote for any candidates in
this election. The people are wise enough to decide who they should
vote for or indeed if there is any point in them casting a vote.
However this should be the last time that republicans and socialists
leave open the election field to our class enemies.
While the IRSP is not yet ready to fight elections, all future
elections should be fought:
1/ on a basis of opposition to an internal Stormont settlement,
2/ working class unity and
3/ opposition to the neo-liberal economic agenda that the last power-
sharing executive implemented.
Immediately after these elections the IRSP will be encouraging debate
and dialogue amongst all those who can agree with any of the above
three points. If we can get agreement with others, fine. If not, then
by the time of the next elections if the IRSP do not throw our hat
into the election ring, then we should shut up shop.
(John Martin)
*******
Boycott Coca Cola!!
Resist the Multinational Empire
The Coca Cola Boycott
Colombian Trade Unions and the World Social Forum called an
international boycott of all Coca Cola products in July this year.
Over recent years eight trade union leaders working at Coca Cola
bottling plants in Colombia and the wife of one them have been
assassinated by paramilitary death squads. Yet despite a US court
accepting that its subsidiaries have a case to answer, Coca Cola
still refuses to cooperate and protect the lives of workers in
Colombia.
We can ensure that Coca Cola listens. Boycotts can and do work
(remember Dunne's and South African products). People all over the
world are resisting the 'multinational empire'.
(E-mail from Daisy Mules)
*******
The Rights of Colombian workers
URGENT ACTION: Drummond unionist in grave danger
The life of Jimmi Rubio, an employee of the Alabama-based Drummond
mining company and a Sintramienergetica union leader, is in grave
danger, as a result of his work to defend the rights of Colombian
workers and to identify the people responsible for serious human
rights violations. The paramilitaries have offered $500,000,000 pesos
(US$178,000) as a reward for his murder. He is in a special
governmental protection program but it has recently been discovered
that information has been leaked and that his assassination is
imminent. His wife and two children are also in danger. The Canadian
and US Embassies have refused to receive the Human Rights officials
from the Fiscalía and the Procuraduría, Claudia Ortiz and Luis
Carlos Toledo, who have all of the information and evidence about the
danger faced by Jimmi Rubio and his family.
Please send letters TODAY to these embassies urging them to meet with
Ms. Ortiz and Mr. Toledo, review the information, and issue a visa to
Jimmi to allow him and his family to leave Colombia immediately.
Canadian Embassy: Fax 011-571-657-9914, Attn: Mr. Pierre
US Embassy in Colombia: 011 (571) 315-2197, 011 (571) 315-4155
Copies to: Fiscalia 011-571-570-2000 x1023, Procuraduria 011-571-
336-0011 x11502/9
Source: International Labour Rights Fund, Washington DC, November
10, 2003
*******
What's On?
European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
European Social Forum, St Denis, Paris
MWAW seminar on the media and imperialist wars
Tickets available for £80 return - book on 0207 053 2072
http://www.fse-esf.org/
Saturday 15 November 11am
What Future for the Palestine-Israeli Conflict with Ghada Karmi
French Institute, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7
Information: email monde-diplo-friends@mondediplo.com
Tel: 0709 234 8726
Saturday, 15 November 2pm
Socialist History Society Public Meeting
Labour and Immigration: A Brief History
Dr. Don MacRaild
Marx House, Clerkenwell Green (Nr. Farringdon Underground)
CONTACT: David Morgan 020 8446 3037 Mike Squires: 020 8673 8283
Sunday 16 November - Friday 21 November
Stop the War Coalition will hold a series of events to mark George
Bush's state visit to Britain on19, 20 and21 November.
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/
*
Friday 22nd November the 83rd commemoration to honour Eddie Carmody
will assembly at the Carmody Memorial Hall at 8.30 p.m. and a march
to the Memorial at Rusheen.
A Kerry man, Lt. Eddie Carmody was murdered on 22nd November 1920 and
his body was dragged through the village on a donkey's cart to the
barracks where it was left in the turf shed until collected by his
father.
*
COLOMBIA
1) Gearóid Ó Loingsigh's recent book The Integral Strategy of
the Paramilitaries in Colombia's Magdalena Medio can be downloaded
from web site http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/
2) Congressman Wilson Borja tour "Colombia in Conflict: Britain's
Secret War?" (Organised by Justice for Colombia and War on Want)
1.30pm Thursday 20 November Parliamentary Reception hosted by Tony
Lloyd MP, Jubilee Room, House of Parliament (St. Stephen's entrance)
RSVP: info@justiceforcolombia.org or 020 7794 3644
6pm Friday 21st November Mechanics Institute, Princess Street,
MANCHESTER
5pm Monday 24th November GLASGOW University
12.30pm Wednesday 26th November Justice for Colombia Reception hosted
by Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM-First Minister of Wales at Conference
Rooms A&B, Assembly Rooms, CARDIFF
7pm Thursday 27th November The Old Market, Upper Market Street, HOVE
10am - 1pm Saturday 29th November TUC Congress House, Council Chamber
(5th floor), Great Russell Street, LONDON WC1 (nearest tube Tottenham
Court Road).
Other speakers: Brendan Barber (TUC General Secretary and Justice for
Colombia President); Isabel Hilton (The Guardian); Jeremy Dear
(National Union of Journalists General Secretary); Dr. Angela Roger
(Association of University Teachers Vice-president). Chair: Mick Rix
(Justice for Colombia Vice-Chair).
Places are limited, so please ensure you book in advance:
info@justiceforcolombia.org 020 7794 3644
*
NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY - THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast,
BT15 2GB From 9.30am - 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction
of the Water tax and how this will affect every section of our
community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you
will have no relief from Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by
21st November 2003.
*
Saturday 29 November 12.00-2.00pm
National demonstration to close Campsfield House
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
1 Delaunays Road Manchester M8 4QS tel: 0121 554 6947
*
Saturday 29 November
Kurdish demonstration For Peace and Democracy
Assemble 1.30pm at Lincoln's Inn Fields
March to 10 Downing Street
*
December 2003 Events
Friday, 5 December and Saturday 6 December
Oxfam, War on Want, World Development Movement
Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas Market
Conway Hall
Book your selling space at Worldfair's Fair Trade Xmas market before
10 October and get a 10% discount on the price of your stall. Unit 6,
Canonbury Yard 190a, New North Road, London N1
Tel: 020 7354 4231
*
5-6 December
NETWORK FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Working for a peaceful future: Campaigning for peace against a
context of the never-ending "war on terrorism".
5-6 December Venue: Friends House, Euston Road, London.
Info and/or to book a stall contact: Network for Peace - tel: 020 72783267
email: nfp@gn.apc.org
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/
*
Friday 5 December 4-8pm
Saturday 6 December 11am-6pm
World Fair at the Conway Hall
Red Lion Square, WC1
*
Saturday 13 December 1-4pm opposite Downing Street
Public Rally Justice for detainees now!
Afghanistan.Iraq Belmarsh prison in the UK....with speakers and a
petition calling for an end to imprisonment without trial! For
details contact CAMPACC on 020 7586 5892
*
Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 December
Cairo Conference
Saturday, 13 to Monday 15 December
Major Women-only demonstration and blockade, Menwith Hill
Info: morganshs@hotmail.com
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please
send his or her e-mail address to johnmartinps@eircom.net
If you wish to receive back copies of the "The Plough" Please e-mail
to johnmartinps@eircom.net stating which numbers you wish.
To unsubscribe to the Plough please send e-mail
entitled "unsubscribe" to johnmartinps@eircom.net
It is the policy of the Plough to acknowledge information and
articles from other sources.
Subscribe to the bi-monthly
"The Starry Plough/An Camchéachta"
P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland.
THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.irsm.org/irsp/starryplough/
Fighting Fund/Donations
To: The Starry Plough
First Trust Bank, Derry, BT48 6BU
Account No. 14986015 Sort Code No. 93-86-10
http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
h-Éireann)
http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
Friday 7 November 2003
The Plough Vol 01 No 13
The Plough #13
7 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Dessie O'Hare
2. No Light at the End of This Tunnel, George
3. Vol. Neil McMonagle - New Memorial
4. Boycott Coca Cola
5. Irish Anti-War Movement Bulletin
6. What's On?
*******
Dessie O'Hare
Last weekend Dessie O'Hare was granted temporary release from åCastlrea Prison. As part of an
agreement he spent the time with his family in Glencree. Dessie is the last prisoner entitled to be
released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. However his release has been stalled by
the Free State Authorities because of the demonisation of Dessie. Dessie saw himself as a soldier
fighting a war. War is not a picnic and people do things in war that they would never dream of in
peacetime. That is a universal fact. Dessie was not convicted of murder, but of kidnapping. He
has been in gaol from November 1987 and should be released forthwith. It is interesting to note
that another non-INLA republican charged with offences in which two members of the Free State
security forces died is out on bail at the moment. Dessie has served his time, is entitled to be
released and yet is still waiting a release date. Let know one now say that the law is independent
of the politicians. It is clear that the judiciary are but tools of the establishment.
*******
No Light at the End of This Tunnel, George (Toronto Sun, 2 November 2003)
By Eric Margolis
Watching the recent storm of car bombs, rockets, and gunfire in central Iraq gave me nasty
memories of the January, 1968 Tet offensive in Vietnam. At that time, many soldiers in my U.S.
Army unit were departing for Special Forces camps in Vietnam's highlands. We stood in mute
horror as TV reported these very camps being overrun by North Vietnamese troops, and their
garrisons killed to the last man.
We immediately understood the bloody Tet offensive was a huge political and psychological
victory for North Vietnam. Tet blew away for good Washington's claims of a light at the end of
the Vietnam tunnel.
Reacting to last week's Ramadan offensive in Iraq, President George Bush actually claimed it
proved things were improving, though attacks on U.S. forces have surged from 20 to 30 daily.
He called for more U.S.-run Iraqi militia forces to be deployed, shades of the ill-fated
"Vietnamization" strategy of three decades ago. At times, Bush and his senior aides seem more
out of touch with reality than Iraq's former minister of misinformation, "Comical Ali." Consider:
Bush was reported shocked and amazed at his mid-October meetings in Bali when moderate,
pro-American Muslim leaders complained Washington considers all Muslims terrorists. They
warned Bush that his total dentification with Israel's right-wing government was ruining chances
for Mid-east peace.
Bush was apparently unaware his administration is increasingly viewed abroad as an aggressor
and a bitter foe of Islam. We know Bush prides himself in not reading, but being so out of touch
staggers the imagination. Is Bush really unaware a mainstay of his administration, the Muslimhunting
Attorney General John Ashcroft, claims, "In America, there is no king but Jesus"? Or
that Lt.-Gen William Boykin, a loudmouth he put in charge of anti-terrorism, recently claimed
while in uniform that Muslims were akin to Satan, and that his god was "bigger" than the idols
he mistakenly said were worshipped by them? Or that some of his neo-conservative advisers,
who want the U.S. to destroy all Israel's enemies, keep calling for "World War IV" against the
Muslim world?
But Bush was too busy blasting Malaysia's retiring leader, who recently claimed Jews ran the
world and the United States, to denounce equally odious canards against Islam by his own
administration and its supporters in the media and on the religious far right.
Bush, of course, has never been in touch with reality when it comes to Iraq. Just recall his
preposterous claim about Iraqi uranium, "drones of death" and "vans of death," links to Al-
Qaida, the imminent threat of mass destruction to the U.S., etc., etc. VP Dick Cheney, who
appears to be running Mid-east policy, claimed Iraq had deployed nuclear weapons that
threatened the U.S.. He maintains such absurdities though absolutely nothing was found after a
five-month, $300-million search. The rarely seen Cheney sounds increasingly like Mad King
Ludwig of Bavaria. Poor Colin Powell, now demoted to TV talk show guest, disgraced himself
before the world at the UN by his lurid, nonsensical claims about Iraq.
Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a prime architect of the Iraq war, went to Baghdad
last week where he met the real world for the first time. Iraqi resistance forces rocketed the
heavily guarded al-Rashid Hotel, the imperial cantonment where he and other U.S. VIPs were
lodged. One was reminded of the Vietcong attack on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon during Tet. The
attack left Prof. Wolfowitz visibly shaken. Here was the fire-eating warlord, the tough neo-con
theoretician who had sent American GIs into combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, trembling in his
brand-new chukka boots after the tiniest taste of real war.
Neither Bush, Cheney, nor Wolfowitz ever served in their nation's armed forces, though all were
of military age during Vietnam - unless you count Bush's sporadic appearances at the Texas Air
National Guard.
Wolfowitz, and fellow neo-conservative administration hawks like Richard Perle, Elliot Abrams,
Doug Feith, Michael Ledeen and John Bolton, who variously call for attacks on Iran, Libya,
Lebanon, Syria and Sudan - vividly bring to mind the words of American political thinker and
poet, Peter Viereck.
In his brilliant book, Metapolitics: The Roots of the Nazi Mind, Viereck detailed how so many of
the founders of Germany's National Socialist Party were artists, writers and academics. They
were "intellectuals who lusted for brute violence ... a Bohemia in arms," wrote Viereck, who
warned of "bloody-minded professors" running amok in politics.
Wolfowitz fits the mould perfectly, not in the sense that he supports Nazism, of course, but
rather in his apparent belief in, "brute violence" as a way of resolving most any international
problem. He, Cheney, and his fellow neo-cons duped the deeply uninformed and gravely
misinformed president into launching two strategically, politically and financially idiotic foreign
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The isolated, unworldly Bush is only now becoming dimly aware he has stirred up an anti-
American hornet's nest overseas. Equally disturbing, thanks to the crusades in Iraq and
Afghanistan, total U.S. military spending next year will likely hit $500 billion. Incredibly, this
titanic sum is even more in constant dollars than the U.S. spent in Vietnam in 1968, at the height
of that war. The light that optimistic George Bush sees at the end of the Iraq tunnel is probably
an onrushing truck, loaded with explosives.
*******
Vol. Neil McMonagle - New Memorial
9 November - 2pm
There will be another memorial unveiling, part of the Teach na Failte campaign to commemorate
fallen republican socialists, in Derry on Sunday November 9th. The impressive new memorial is
dedicated to the memory of INLA Volunteer Neil McMonagle who was killed by the SAS on 2
February 1983. Anyone attending is asked to assemble at Carnhill Resource Centre at 2pm. A
march will then take place across Racecourse Road and towards Leafair Park where the new
memorial will be unveiled. A function will then be held locally, details on the day. For further
information please contact: Derry IRSP
*******
Boycott Coca Cola
Save the lives of Colombian Workers! Colombian trade unionist in Belfast Public Meeting, Tue
11th November, 7:30pm, Belfast Unemployed Centre.
Luis Eduardo Garcia - Colombian Coca Cola Worker and member of SINALTRAINAL the
Food and Drink Workers Union will address a Public Meeting Belfast Unemployed Centre 7-
15pm 11th November.
Senor Garcia a Colombian Coca Cola worker and member of SINALTRINAL will be in Ireland
to call on Irish workers and Irish people to support the international campaign aimed at ending
the murder of trades unionists in the Coca Cola bottling plants in Colombia. The Belfast visit is
being sponsored by the UNISON trade union and the local Colombian Workers Solidarity
Campaign.
Luis will address a public meeting in the Belfast Unemployed Centre at 7-30pm and is hoping to
meet local people who have supported the campaign in defence of Coca Cola workers here in
Belfast. The John Hewitt Bar and the Cultúrlann were among the first to come out in defence of
the Coca Cola workers and Luis is particularly to meet with representatives of these
organisations and thank them for their support.
Ireland is the first leg of a worldwide tour to publicise the plight of the Coca Cola workers. Luis
will also speak in Dublin on Wednesday to UCD students who voted for the Coca Cola Boycott
and in Sandino's Bar in Derry on Monday.
*******
Irish Anti-War Movement Bulletin
The situation in Iraq deteriorated even further in the last week with massive car bombs causing
immense loss of life to ordinary citizens and almost killing one of the authors of the war, Paul
Wolfowitz. The continuing resistance and appalling lack of security in Iraq give the lie to the US
and UK claims that they are liberators welcomed by the Iraqis.
Meanwhile in Palestine, the Israeli army has been crushing and rocketing the Palestinian refugee
town of Rafah with ruthless efficiency in a manner, which rivals the destruction of Jenin last
year. But it is all in the name of stopping terrorism so the international community has remained
silent.
There was very positive news from the US at the weekend with thousands of people marching in
Washington DC against the continuing brutal occupation in Iraq. 135 cities across the US sent
delegations. Opposition is growing steadily in the US as the people recognize the facts.
Meanwhile in Ireland, it seems too that more and more people now accept that we were right in
opposing the war. Many of us watched the RTE Primetime special on Iraq, which showed the
devastation, which has led to increasing bitterness and resistance by all sections of Iraqi society.
The media is beginning to raise the issue again of Shannon and the continuing transiting of
thousands of US troops every month. This was highlighted in the press statement issued by the
IAWM announcing the upcoming blockade of the War port on 6 December.
The new steering committee has met and elected the following officers
Chairperson Richard Boyd Barrett
Secretary Colm Stephens
Treasurer Colin Coulter
PRO Fintan Lane
International Secretary Kieran Allen
We have also set up work groups for the following areas: Finance/Fundraising, Legal,
Secretarial/Admin, Affiliates/Trade Unions, Communications (Website, bulletins etc.)
If you want to get involved in working for us in any of these areas please get in touch!
infor@irishhantiwar.org or call Colm at 087 294 7100
*******
What's On?
8 November European Social Forum Meeting 1.30pm-3.30pm in the Teachers' Club, Parnell
Square, Dublin.
Discussion of what will be coming up at the ESF in terms of debates around the frequency of
ESF meetings, where they will be held, proposals on days of action etc and to give practical info.
To meet with interested legal professionals in accordance with the motion passed at conference:
To establish an expert legal committee (either independently organised or in affiliation) to advise
the movement on legal strategies to advance its aims.
12-16 November ESF Paris, the programmes have been finalised and can be down loaded from
http://www.fse-esf.org/francais/rubrique37.html (programmes are given in French, English and
Spanish)
16-21 November George Bush Visit to London, if you are going to be in London at any time that
week there is a full programme of anti war and anti bush activities (cultural, protest etc.)
including...
Tue, 18 November Public Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston Road
Thurs, 20 November 2pm National demonstration
Check out www.stopwar.org.uk for more details
6 December Blockade of Shannon War port, Assemble at 2 pm at Lidl Carpark in Shannon
Town. More details to follow after organisation meeting.
All Anti War groups are requested to hold public meetings, if possible in the weeks coming up to
this protest. The public meeting should be used to build for as large a protest at Shannon as
possible.
* Red Duster
An Damhair/ October 2003
***************************************
'All hail the Scottish Workers Republic!'
**************************************
Contents
Deasachaidh/ Editorial
"... Why are organisations allowed to affiliate to the SSP when they are resolutely opposed to the
politics of the SSP and use their membership of the SSP solely to discredit it?"
The Dilemma for the SNP Left
Gerry Cairns
"... There is a stark choice for the SNP Left. They can stand by their party, trying to reform from
within. Or they can join a pro-independence socialist party that will revolutionise Scotland from
top to bottom... "
Connolly: National Liberation, Socialism, Partition
Liam O'Ruairc" (IRSP)
"Connolly's major achievement is to have grasped the relation between nationalism and
socialism, between the national struggle and the class struggle. A lot of socialists saw (and still
see) the national struggle as a diversion from class struggle and as being incompatible with
socialism... "
The 1820 Radical Rebellion
Donnie Fraser
The next stage of our Radical History column continues with the period 1803-1820, and looks at
the republican socialist legacy of the 1820 Insurrection.
Intifada message from Gaza
Message from Dr. Mona El-Farra of the Union of Health Work Committees on the 3rd
Anniversary of the Intifada in occupied Palestine
The SSP and the National Liberation Struggle
"... The SSP must advocate the revolutionary solution to the national question - a Workers'
Republic - and then indeed not just another Scotland will be possible but another world."
The Scottish Republican Socialist Movement publishes the Red Duster.
Available now from;
SRSM,
1148 Argyle St
Glasgow
G3 8TE
Scotland
£1 inc. p & p
the_srsm@hotmail.com
* European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
Question time and manifesto launch
NICVA is holding a party political Question Time for the voluntary and community sector on 14
November 2003 at 11.00am at the NICVA Offices. Representatives of all the main parties have
been invited to set out their manifestos and answer questions about what they plan to do about
the issues concerning voluntary and community organisations. The new Policy Manifesto for the
sector will also be launched at the event. To register, please contact Cathy Breslin on tel: 028
9087 7777 or cathy.breslin@nicva.org
* NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY -- THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB From
9.30am -- 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction of the Water tax and how
this will affect every section of our community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you will have no relief from
Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds - NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire - Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh - NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane - Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by 21st November 2003.
*******
Short of a bob or two? Seeking a new job opportunity in at the deep end?
The Department for Regional Development recently advertised the post of Chief Executive of
the Water Service.
The post was offered at £150,000 a year plus performance related bonus and they added; more
may be available for an exceptional candidate.
The advertisement adds that it has been determined that Water Service must become a selffinancing
organisation outside central government. It further adds that this will require the
introduction of domestic water charges. During the public consultation the focus was on how
water tax should be charged, not if it should be charged, so what was the consultation for? Why
consult with the community if you have already decided the outcome?
The government is looking to employ an Executive on £3,000.00 per week.
If the water charges are introduced it will take more than 400 families living in poverty to make
up this person's wage.
The gap in earnings between the rich and the poor is ever widening. Can you afford to pay an
additional £400.00-£600.00 per year for water charges-? Maybe you can, however many people
can't and as ever it is the already socially excluded sections of our society that this tax will effect
most. One thing is for sure the Chief Executive of the Water Service should have no problem
paying his/her water tax bill, after all it isn't even 0.5% of their annual salary.
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome political comments and
criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please send his or her e-mail address to
johnmartinps@eircom.net
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which numbers you wish.
To unsubscribe to the Plough please send e-mail entitled "unsubscribe" to johnmartinps@eircom.net
It is the policy of the Plough to acknowledge information and articles from other sources.
Subscribe to the bi-monthly
"The Starry Plough/An Camchéachta"
P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland.
THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
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The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
7 November 2003
E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Dessie O'Hare
2. No Light at the End of This Tunnel, George
3. Vol. Neil McMonagle - New Memorial
4. Boycott Coca Cola
5. Irish Anti-War Movement Bulletin
6. What's On?
*******
Dessie O'Hare
Last weekend Dessie O'Hare was granted temporary release from åCastlrea Prison. As part of an
agreement he spent the time with his family in Glencree. Dessie is the last prisoner entitled to be
released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. However his release has been stalled by
the Free State Authorities because of the demonisation of Dessie. Dessie saw himself as a soldier
fighting a war. War is not a picnic and people do things in war that they would never dream of in
peacetime. That is a universal fact. Dessie was not convicted of murder, but of kidnapping. He
has been in gaol from November 1987 and should be released forthwith. It is interesting to note
that another non-INLA republican charged with offences in which two members of the Free State
security forces died is out on bail at the moment. Dessie has served his time, is entitled to be
released and yet is still waiting a release date. Let know one now say that the law is independent
of the politicians. It is clear that the judiciary are but tools of the establishment.
*******
No Light at the End of This Tunnel, George (Toronto Sun, 2 November 2003)
By Eric Margolis
Watching the recent storm of car bombs, rockets, and gunfire in central Iraq gave me nasty
memories of the January, 1968 Tet offensive in Vietnam. At that time, many soldiers in my U.S.
Army unit were departing for Special Forces camps in Vietnam's highlands. We stood in mute
horror as TV reported these very camps being overrun by North Vietnamese troops, and their
garrisons killed to the last man.
We immediately understood the bloody Tet offensive was a huge political and psychological
victory for North Vietnam. Tet blew away for good Washington's claims of a light at the end of
the Vietnam tunnel.
Reacting to last week's Ramadan offensive in Iraq, President George Bush actually claimed it
proved things were improving, though attacks on U.S. forces have surged from 20 to 30 daily.
He called for more U.S.-run Iraqi militia forces to be deployed, shades of the ill-fated
"Vietnamization" strategy of three decades ago. At times, Bush and his senior aides seem more
out of touch with reality than Iraq's former minister of misinformation, "Comical Ali." Consider:
Bush was reported shocked and amazed at his mid-October meetings in Bali when moderate,
pro-American Muslim leaders complained Washington considers all Muslims terrorists. They
warned Bush that his total dentification with Israel's right-wing government was ruining chances
for Mid-east peace.
Bush was apparently unaware his administration is increasingly viewed abroad as an aggressor
and a bitter foe of Islam. We know Bush prides himself in not reading, but being so out of touch
staggers the imagination. Is Bush really unaware a mainstay of his administration, the Muslimhunting
Attorney General John Ashcroft, claims, "In America, there is no king but Jesus"? Or
that Lt.-Gen William Boykin, a loudmouth he put in charge of anti-terrorism, recently claimed
while in uniform that Muslims were akin to Satan, and that his god was "bigger" than the idols
he mistakenly said were worshipped by them? Or that some of his neo-conservative advisers,
who want the U.S. to destroy all Israel's enemies, keep calling for "World War IV" against the
Muslim world?
But Bush was too busy blasting Malaysia's retiring leader, who recently claimed Jews ran the
world and the United States, to denounce equally odious canards against Islam by his own
administration and its supporters in the media and on the religious far right.
Bush, of course, has never been in touch with reality when it comes to Iraq. Just recall his
preposterous claim about Iraqi uranium, "drones of death" and "vans of death," links to Al-
Qaida, the imminent threat of mass destruction to the U.S., etc., etc. VP Dick Cheney, who
appears to be running Mid-east policy, claimed Iraq had deployed nuclear weapons that
threatened the U.S.. He maintains such absurdities though absolutely nothing was found after a
five-month, $300-million search. The rarely seen Cheney sounds increasingly like Mad King
Ludwig of Bavaria. Poor Colin Powell, now demoted to TV talk show guest, disgraced himself
before the world at the UN by his lurid, nonsensical claims about Iraq.
Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a prime architect of the Iraq war, went to Baghdad
last week where he met the real world for the first time. Iraqi resistance forces rocketed the
heavily guarded al-Rashid Hotel, the imperial cantonment where he and other U.S. VIPs were
lodged. One was reminded of the Vietcong attack on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon during Tet. The
attack left Prof. Wolfowitz visibly shaken. Here was the fire-eating warlord, the tough neo-con
theoretician who had sent American GIs into combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, trembling in his
brand-new chukka boots after the tiniest taste of real war.
Neither Bush, Cheney, nor Wolfowitz ever served in their nation's armed forces, though all were
of military age during Vietnam - unless you count Bush's sporadic appearances at the Texas Air
National Guard.
Wolfowitz, and fellow neo-conservative administration hawks like Richard Perle, Elliot Abrams,
Doug Feith, Michael Ledeen and John Bolton, who variously call for attacks on Iran, Libya,
Lebanon, Syria and Sudan - vividly bring to mind the words of American political thinker and
poet, Peter Viereck.
In his brilliant book, Metapolitics: The Roots of the Nazi Mind, Viereck detailed how so many of
the founders of Germany's National Socialist Party were artists, writers and academics. They
were "intellectuals who lusted for brute violence ... a Bohemia in arms," wrote Viereck, who
warned of "bloody-minded professors" running amok in politics.
Wolfowitz fits the mould perfectly, not in the sense that he supports Nazism, of course, but
rather in his apparent belief in, "brute violence" as a way of resolving most any international
problem. He, Cheney, and his fellow neo-cons duped the deeply uninformed and gravely
misinformed president into launching two strategically, politically and financially idiotic foreign
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The isolated, unworldly Bush is only now becoming dimly aware he has stirred up an anti-
American hornet's nest overseas. Equally disturbing, thanks to the crusades in Iraq and
Afghanistan, total U.S. military spending next year will likely hit $500 billion. Incredibly, this
titanic sum is even more in constant dollars than the U.S. spent in Vietnam in 1968, at the height
of that war. The light that optimistic George Bush sees at the end of the Iraq tunnel is probably
an onrushing truck, loaded with explosives.
*******
Vol. Neil McMonagle - New Memorial
9 November - 2pm
There will be another memorial unveiling, part of the Teach na Failte campaign to commemorate
fallen republican socialists, in Derry on Sunday November 9th. The impressive new memorial is
dedicated to the memory of INLA Volunteer Neil McMonagle who was killed by the SAS on 2
February 1983. Anyone attending is asked to assemble at Carnhill Resource Centre at 2pm. A
march will then take place across Racecourse Road and towards Leafair Park where the new
memorial will be unveiled. A function will then be held locally, details on the day. For further
information please contact: Derry IRSP
*******
Boycott Coca Cola
Save the lives of Colombian Workers! Colombian trade unionist in Belfast Public Meeting, Tue
11th November, 7:30pm, Belfast Unemployed Centre.
Luis Eduardo Garcia - Colombian Coca Cola Worker and member of SINALTRAINAL the
Food and Drink Workers Union will address a Public Meeting Belfast Unemployed Centre 7-
15pm 11th November.
Senor Garcia a Colombian Coca Cola worker and member of SINALTRINAL will be in Ireland
to call on Irish workers and Irish people to support the international campaign aimed at ending
the murder of trades unionists in the Coca Cola bottling plants in Colombia. The Belfast visit is
being sponsored by the UNISON trade union and the local Colombian Workers Solidarity
Campaign.
Luis will address a public meeting in the Belfast Unemployed Centre at 7-30pm and is hoping to
meet local people who have supported the campaign in defence of Coca Cola workers here in
Belfast. The John Hewitt Bar and the Cultúrlann were among the first to come out in defence of
the Coca Cola workers and Luis is particularly to meet with representatives of these
organisations and thank them for their support.
Ireland is the first leg of a worldwide tour to publicise the plight of the Coca Cola workers. Luis
will also speak in Dublin on Wednesday to UCD students who voted for the Coca Cola Boycott
and in Sandino's Bar in Derry on Monday.
*******
Irish Anti-War Movement Bulletin
The situation in Iraq deteriorated even further in the last week with massive car bombs causing
immense loss of life to ordinary citizens and almost killing one of the authors of the war, Paul
Wolfowitz. The continuing resistance and appalling lack of security in Iraq give the lie to the US
and UK claims that they are liberators welcomed by the Iraqis.
Meanwhile in Palestine, the Israeli army has been crushing and rocketing the Palestinian refugee
town of Rafah with ruthless efficiency in a manner, which rivals the destruction of Jenin last
year. But it is all in the name of stopping terrorism so the international community has remained
silent.
There was very positive news from the US at the weekend with thousands of people marching in
Washington DC against the continuing brutal occupation in Iraq. 135 cities across the US sent
delegations. Opposition is growing steadily in the US as the people recognize the facts.
Meanwhile in Ireland, it seems too that more and more people now accept that we were right in
opposing the war. Many of us watched the RTE Primetime special on Iraq, which showed the
devastation, which has led to increasing bitterness and resistance by all sections of Iraqi society.
The media is beginning to raise the issue again of Shannon and the continuing transiting of
thousands of US troops every month. This was highlighted in the press statement issued by the
IAWM announcing the upcoming blockade of the War port on 6 December.
The new steering committee has met and elected the following officers
Chairperson Richard Boyd Barrett
Secretary Colm Stephens
Treasurer Colin Coulter
PRO Fintan Lane
International Secretary Kieran Allen
We have also set up work groups for the following areas: Finance/Fundraising, Legal,
Secretarial/Admin, Affiliates/Trade Unions, Communications (Website, bulletins etc.)
If you want to get involved in working for us in any of these areas please get in touch!
infor@irishhantiwar.org or call Colm at 087 294 7100
*******
What's On?
8 November European Social Forum Meeting 1.30pm-3.30pm in the Teachers' Club, Parnell
Square, Dublin.
Discussion of what will be coming up at the ESF in terms of debates around the frequency of
ESF meetings, where they will be held, proposals on days of action etc and to give practical info.
To meet with interested legal professionals in accordance with the motion passed at conference:
To establish an expert legal committee (either independently organised or in affiliation) to advise
the movement on legal strategies to advance its aims.
12-16 November ESF Paris, the programmes have been finalised and can be down loaded from
http://www.fse-esf.org/francais/rubrique37.html (programmes are given in French, English and
Spanish)
16-21 November George Bush Visit to London, if you are going to be in London at any time that
week there is a full programme of anti war and anti bush activities (cultural, protest etc.)
including...
Tue, 18 November Public Rally at Friends Meeting House, Euston Road
Thurs, 20 November 2pm National demonstration
Check out www.stopwar.org.uk for more details
6 December Blockade of Shannon War port, Assemble at 2 pm at Lidl Carpark in Shannon
Town. More details to follow after organisation meeting.
All Anti War groups are requested to hold public meetings, if possible in the weeks coming up to
this protest. The public meeting should be used to build for as large a protest at Shannon as
possible.
* Red Duster
An Damhair/ October 2003
***************************************
'All hail the Scottish Workers Republic!'
**************************************
Contents
Deasachaidh/ Editorial
"... Why are organisations allowed to affiliate to the SSP when they are resolutely opposed to the
politics of the SSP and use their membership of the SSP solely to discredit it?"
The Dilemma for the SNP Left
Gerry Cairns
"... There is a stark choice for the SNP Left. They can stand by their party, trying to reform from
within. Or they can join a pro-independence socialist party that will revolutionise Scotland from
top to bottom... "
Connolly: National Liberation, Socialism, Partition
Liam O'Ruairc" (IRSP)
"Connolly's major achievement is to have grasped the relation between nationalism and
socialism, between the national struggle and the class struggle. A lot of socialists saw (and still
see) the national struggle as a diversion from class struggle and as being incompatible with
socialism... "
The 1820 Radical Rebellion
Donnie Fraser
The next stage of our Radical History column continues with the period 1803-1820, and looks at
the republican socialist legacy of the 1820 Insurrection.
Intifada message from Gaza
Message from Dr. Mona El-Farra of the Union of Health Work Committees on the 3rd
Anniversary of the Intifada in occupied Palestine
The SSP and the National Liberation Struggle
"... The SSP must advocate the revolutionary solution to the national question - a Workers'
Republic - and then indeed not just another Scotland will be possible but another world."
The Scottish Republican Socialist Movement publishes the Red Duster.
Available now from;
SRSM,
1148 Argyle St
Glasgow
G3 8TE
Scotland
£1 inc. p & p
the_srsm@hotmail.com
* European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
Question time and manifesto launch
NICVA is holding a party political Question Time for the voluntary and community sector on 14
November 2003 at 11.00am at the NICVA Offices. Representatives of all the main parties have
been invited to set out their manifestos and answer questions about what they plan to do about
the issues concerning voluntary and community organisations. The new Policy Manifesto for the
sector will also be launched at the event. To register, please contact Cathy Breslin on tel: 028
9087 7777 or cathy.breslin@nicva.org
* NI Anti-Poverty Network Invite you to attend our
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by seminar/speakers and workshops on
WATER INEQUALITY -- THE HUMAN COST
On Friday 28th November 2003 at NICVA, 61Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB From
9.30am -- 1.00pm
AGM followed by guest speakers on privatisation and the introduction of the Water tax and how
this will affect every section of our community.
On low income, in receipt of benefits, if you are a householder you will have no relief from
Water tax.
SPEAKERS
Frances Dowds - NI Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN)
Manus Maguire - Communities Against the Water Tax (CAWT)
Jim Welsh - NI Public Service Alliance (NIPSA)
Alisa Keane - Irish Congress of Trade Unions NI (ICTU NI)
To Register Fax back to 028 9087 5011 or e-mail to info@niapn.org by 21st November 2003.
*******
Short of a bob or two? Seeking a new job opportunity in at the deep end?
The Department for Regional Development recently advertised the post of Chief Executive of
the Water Service.
The post was offered at £150,000 a year plus performance related bonus and they added; more
may be available for an exceptional candidate.
The advertisement adds that it has been determined that Water Service must become a selffinancing
organisation outside central government. It further adds that this will require the
introduction of domestic water charges. During the public consultation the focus was on how
water tax should be charged, not if it should be charged, so what was the consultation for? Why
consult with the community if you have already decided the outcome?
The government is looking to employ an Executive on £3,000.00 per week.
If the water charges are introduced it will take more than 400 families living in poverty to make
up this person's wage.
The gap in earnings between the rich and the poor is ever widening. Can you afford to pay an
additional £400.00-£600.00 per year for water charges-? Maybe you can, however many people
can't and as ever it is the already socially excluded sections of our society that this tax will effect
most. One thing is for sure the Chief Executive of the Water Service should have no problem
paying his/her water tax bill, after all it isn't even 0.5% of their annual salary.
*******
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