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2004:
We have a split within republicanism; it did happen
in 1986, but the more focus that is put on the GFA,
the more people will look at the history and see for
themselves. Where Iwould differ from Republican Sinn
Fein is Ii believe that Provisional Sinn Fein is in
there, doing what they can, pushing their mandate.
I would like to see an opposition in both governments
north and south pushing Eire Nua as an alternative.
There is such a stigma placed upon the organisation
by the media and the state and other states that there
is a fear of joining, also there is major suppression
by state media on Eire Nua and incarcerated republican
prisioners. However Republican Sinn Fein has an Irish
proposal for a just settlement in Ireland, this is
the Eire Nua Peace Document. Again, let's be realistic,
Eire Nua is a model for a peaceful Ireland.
Republican
Sinn Fein are regarded as the true custodians of republicainism
because they will not move on their priniciples, but
a majority had voted that for progress to be made
they had to do away with the abstentionist policy.
Let
us realize that there are still Republican prisioners
inside British jails and also jails in the republic.
As long as prisioners and paramilitary organisations
still exsist Ireland is still going to be plauged
with murder and the threat of instability. This is
always going to be a direct result of continued occupation
from Britian. We cannot ignore the fact that these
people exist, and we must not forget the Unionist
militias because they do exist. Ignoring them and
treating them as though they don't exist is only going
to supress them for a few years at best. Realistic
outlook is that Ireland could well see a repeat of
history, realistically it is possible if it is not
addressed. Maybe my interpretaion is wrong but that's
how I see things.
I
propose to the republican community, especially to
those people who were adults when the GFA was signed,
and to all those others who now become adults in this
post GFA stage, I propose that a political organisation
be formed or at least have a chance to discuss the
possibility of a party that is gonna go into a Stormont
and the Dail and push Eire Nua as a mandate and alternative.
To build upon the equality legislation and police
reform, to engage within a working government to put
out and push Eire Nua into the media, get unionists
and republicans at least talking about a way of implementing
Eire Nua or the like of. I know it's againist the
abstentionist policy but at least we know that there
is someone in mainstream politics pushing a clear
mandate for reunification of Ulster and the setting
up of a four province federal Ireland the objective
of the creation of an Ireland of self-governing communities
in which people will control their own affairs.
VOLUNTARY
COMMUNITY COUNCILS
DISTRICT COUNCILS
REGIONAL COUNCILS
PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES
The
idea behind the Federal proposal is to be fair to
all sections of the country. The people who are currently
described as Unionist are a part of the Irish nation.
Their concerns about domination by Dublin in a unitary
state of all Ireland should be listened to, and are
in fact shared by the so-called 'peripheral' regions
in the 26-County area.
If
we are to be realistic, we have seen how far Sinn
Fein can go in northern and southern politics. I feel
that the time is right, we all can read the GFA for
what it is, normalisation and permement change within
the north. It is up to all of us to help keep reforming
the north to rid it of its deep rooted secterian divisions.
With a new political party free from any paramilitry
ties and media speculation pushing an alternative
for what's best for the people of Ulster foremost
and what's best for the people of Ireland equally.
In my opinion it's an Idea!!, people.
It
was beautifully done, taking the political road, because
informers were everywhere (Steak-knife). A British
Army agent in the nutting squad of the PIRA!!! Executing
soldiers! This man could have taken out some of the
best men within that organisation. He had inside knowledge
on a lot of things.
So
I leave it with, a youth no more, now that we are
adults and we choose to make progress within republicinism
and seek an alternative or at least give the people
a voice for an alternative to P Sinn Fein. We are
called dissidents, why can we not be known as those
in opposition or equally those pushing an alternative?
What about this Ireland of equals!!
Many
people have not changed their stance in relation to
the British government's intentions in taking the
issue of Irish Unification seriously because of this
start-stop political process. It is the spin put out
by media that labels all Sinn Fein's opposition within
republicinism as dissidents. The so-called anti-agreement
Republicans — and that refers also to anyone
coming up after 1998 and the GFA. It does not necessarily
mean everyone who belongs to RSF, for there are many,
many people who would consider themselves republican
but do not belong to any party.
Let's not get disenhearted with this setback to our
Republic; the Brits may have slowed it this time.
Let's
not cave in. There is growing resentment about this
stage in our struggle for freedom, equality, justice
and the Republic. Let it be known that there are still
those who believe that no republican has any part
in a British political system.
No
matter how hard it is; there still are prisoners inside
who are calling for help and support and so do their
families. There have been darker days. Being realistic,
the system is in our own communities, but we can't
attack our own people. There is resentment by republicans
about Sinn Fein going into politics, being realistic
it's done. Realistically, if anyone is going to fight
against the system now it means going up agaisnt a
majority of the people within republican communities
in the north. This cannot be done. We have to win
the hearts and minds of our people, let the people
choose.
Robert
Emmet once said, "No man or No Party has the
right to stop the march of a nation."
It
is a sad day when so-called revolutionaries leave
it to a few men to negotiate the future of our Republic
& decommission weapons that belong to the Irish
people for the protection of their community. There
must be a lot of trust placed in those few and their
must be a lot of trust in the government. What is
hard to take for many republicans is a lot of people
remember '69, a lot of people's homes were burnt to
the ground. Collusion between the police, army and
unioinst militia was real, this is fact.
So
this brings me to the present day. We have been left
with a deep division. Young people, that’s 18
- 20, are getting disillusioned with politics. Some
want to be involved but see no alternative to Sinn
Fein, so they stay quiet; but let me say the risen
people are not stupid. Republicans don't want in-fighting
and discontent, for we want to be a united people.
We have to give support to open debate and discussion
on bringing on board the younger people who want to
build upon what has already been achieved.
To
the opposition. It is going to be extremely hard because
the British government are pumping millions into here.
Their plan is pacification.
Sweet,
as, lads, there is a new generation coming, and if
Provisional Sinn Fein are not going to be pro-active
and take time with the young adults to show how we
can build upon what has been achieved. If they don't,
naturally they are gonna look else where and someone
needs to be there we can't let wasted talent stay
quiet we could have our republic sooner if we utilized
everyone.
Republicans
should not be intimidated by their own people because
they maybe see a different avenue to go down; that
defeats the 'Ireland of equals' slogan. Young adult
Republicans should not fear their own people for it
is healthy to encourge debate amongst Republicans.
To
Provisional Sinn Fein and supporters, I respect your
decision to follow this GFA and the political road
because it's almost 20 years since you chose to go
into politics; in 10 or so years, you will be striving
for politics almost as long as the war was on. I respect
your choice and your right to take that path. I say,
don't suppress other voices, don't try and silence
them.
People
don't want to be intimidated or be in fear for opposing
your view. Don't do what the British did to you, because
opposition will not go away. We are Irish men &
women.
I
would maybe support Provisional Sinn Fein if they
actully sold the GFA to younger people, people who
did not live through internment, hunger strikes and
the really bad bits of the troubles, those who are
living through the workings of the GFA. It would be
nice if you's got out there into the communites and
explained your policies, your way forward and didn't
leave the electrate with no vision, didn't lead with
promises. Get out there and tell us how it's better
than, say, Eire Nua, or a Independent Northern Ireland,
because there are alternatives out there that people
have suggested, or show us a way forward after full
implementation of the GFA.
Eire
Nua is a classic model for maximum devolution and
reunification of our Ulster counties. It gives the
people of Ulster (all of Ulster, 9 counties) the chance
to take part in some sort of government on this island,
the exact same chances to govern as say, those in
Cork or Galway or Dublin. As part of the UK, no one
from Northern Ireland is ever gonna get into a position
of running the UK. It's simply not gonna happen, and
the same if there was a New Ireland and Dublin had
the government centralized, the same, no one from
the north would probably get a look at key positions
with respect to running a country. Only a political
model that guarantees separation of church and state,
a bill of rights to safe-guard all people on this
island, and the ability of Ulster to decide its own
legistation, deal with its own taxation and higher
education without interferance from any other state,
give our children something better to dream for.
Let's
get good clean debate and discussion amongst Republicans.
Let's try and unite our people, whether it be for
the GFA or against, at least facilite those disscusions
in good faith. Let's be honest with ourselves and
our people. Let's build upon our strengths and get
stronger.
Let
us unite for the benefit of our children.
This
is the second part of the article, Reality
Check.
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