The
fix that the Provisionals find themselves in at
the moment is self-created. In 1986, when they left
the Republican Movement, they were warned that it
was not possible to have a 'foot in both camps'.
To be both a revolutionary movement and a constitutional
political party. Whilst enmeshing themselves further
within the partitionist system north and south,
they have continued to placate their members and
supporters by portraying themselves as a radical
organisation.
However it is not possible to seek to administer
and police British rule on the one hand whilst at
the same time claim to be a revolutionary movement.
The rationale for the continued existence of the
Provisional military group in this context is certainly
not for the achievement of Irish freedom. The continued
existence of this group masquerading under the honoured
name of the Irish Republican Army is an affront
to all Irish Republicans.
They are not an army of national liberation but
have degenerated into a criminal militia, whose
purpose is to control through fear the nationalist
community, maintaining the Provisional's stranglehold.
Their actions and activities have dishonoured the
proud and noble name of Irish Republicanism. It
is time for them to disband, handing their weapons
over, not to the forces of the British crown, but
to those willing and determined to continue the
fight for Irish freedom.