New
year is generally a time when people make a lot
of resolutions. One of mine is to continue to build
a strong alternative to British rule in Ireland
and to uphold the sovereignty of the Irish people.
I
would just hope that the British government would
realise how genuine republicans really are when
we say lasting peace on this island is a priority
and that the true obstacle to peace is the continued
denial of Irish National Sovereignty.
The
32 County Sovereignty Movement at every opportunity
has focussed on the peaceful alternative to British
military rule and we will continue to put the case
before the United Nations to have the rights of
the Irish people protected.
The
republican base expects us to protect and uphold
the sovereign position and understand the damage
done to it under the Belfast Agreement. They understand
this aforementioned Agreement has delayed the day
when Irish men, women, Catholic, Protestant and
Dissenter can live side by side in peaceful harmony,
free from the sectarian politics that are offered
under Stormont.
It
is abundantly clear such an agreement cannot deliver
anything whatsoever, let alone upholding the right
of the Irish Nation to freedom. The Unionist veto
has again been secured and implemented.
On
the issue of policing the PSNI/RUC have not changed
and remain unacceptable to the nationalist community.
They are unacceptable because they are a sectarian
force upholding and protecting the illegal sovereign
claim of a foreign government.
It
will not matter who joins this corrupt force, their
history and their future cannot deliver equal and
impartial policing, rather they are a political
armed entity imposing the will of the British Government,
assisted when it is deemed necessary by the army
of occupation. This will never be acceptable to
the Irish people who live under such a threat of
force.
The
British government's agenda, assisted by the establishment
parties to the agreement, is one of normalisation.
Its aim is to feed our young people the 'normality'
of British rule. Fortunately this new generation
are not so naïve, and see very clearly the
injustices of British interference in Irish affairs.
More
and more young people are looking to republicans
for direction and as part of our development, the
32 County Sovereignty Movement is well placed to
give such leadership, with a clear analysis of the
problems that have led to conflict.
I
would encourage our young people to organise themselves
in a positive way to debate the direction the republican
movement must take to counteract the undemocratic
nature of British rule in Ireland and I am always
pleased as are the members of the National Executive
to attend any self organised groups to outline our
position. We are proud of our democratic approach
which recognises the differing and valid views across
the republican base.
That
is why we are the only organisation with a peaceful
alternative through our challenge at the UN, and
it is because of this the British and Dublin governments
have moved with draconian laws to stymie our progress.
Of
course this will fail like all previous attempts
because republicans and the Irish people generally
know that the issue of National Sovereignty will
come up again and again until it is effectively
addressed.
Is
it not better to address it now rather than impose
continued sectarian suffering on our people?
The
32 County Sovereignty Movement faces the challenges
of 2005 from a sound base, a true analysis and the
confidence to confront when necessary the evils
of British rule.
Finally,
I call on the British government to relinquish their
illegal sovereign claim immediately, to allow the
Irish people their democratic right to National
self-determination and I further call on the establishment
parties to stop hiding behind British legislation
and to uphold the sovereignty of this proud nation
by supporting our challenge at the United Nations
They
can begin by ensuring that the designation in America,
which has us banned from travelling there, is lifted.
Also recognizing that moving the issue of national
sovereignty forward would bring an end to all conflict.
I
would extend to all political prisoners our solidarity
and best wishes at this time and pay tribute to
all our activists for their dedication and commitment.
Best
wishes to you all and your families for 2005.
