Cmdt. Denis Barry Betjeman, a spy? Moment of Destiny? Cathal MacSwiney Brugha Manus O'Riordan Labour Comment

page 9 page 12 back page IRISH POLITICAL REVIEW April 2010 Vol.25, No.4 ISSN 0790-7672 and Northern Star incorporating Workers' Weekly Vol.24 No.4 ISSN 954-5891

The State We're In Brother England & Gallipoli

Cowen came to power in Ireland with an agenda of restoring the autonomy of the state, Fianna Fail Minister, Martin Mansergh, notably by freeing it from social restraints to enable it re-shape the economy as it saw fit. has decreed that England is not a foreign But it was a different agenda from that espoused by Labour Party statesman Ruairí country. He is not denied that all the other Quinn, who last year, at the "Lemass International Forum", in a curious metaphor countries in the world other than England attacked. the "blancmange where the slowest carrying caravan on the tail of social are foreign. He might have denied it on partnership is the one that's leading the speed of change" and who had previously the grounds that the very notion of foreign denounced the "cloying effects of social partnership". Cowen's ascent was certainly countries is alien to the universalist ideology marked by a distancing of the state from social partnership and a resurgence of the central of the United Nations. He has not, as far role of the civil service, and particularly the Department of Finance. If this had been for as we know, denied that European countries its own sake, as Quinn espouses, it would have represented a reactionary development are foreign countries. It is only England that of the Irish political economy, as was pointed out at the time by this journal. is not a foreign country. The celebration of England's wars, which Ireland has been As the financial crisis bit deep in late 2008 and early 2009, and the state believed the indulging in recently, follows naturally economy was facing meltdown, the Government met with the Unions to give social enough from this view. If England is not partnership its chance to come up with the answer. The Employers—IBEC—stood on a foreign country then its wars are Our the sidelines, effectively in support of the Congress position. The National Economic and Wars too. Social Council (NESC)—the "senate of social partnership"—came up with some pious Thousands of Irishmen were killed by but inane solutions. The Trade Unions had sought an extension of the period of "financial the Turks when we took part in the attempt adjustment" to 2016—three years beyond the Government plan—so as to ameliorate the to invade the Turkish mainland at Galli- social cost of contracting state expenditure, and on the basis that there would be no public poli. That invasion attempt was represent- sector salary cuts, regardless of what was happening through market forces in the private ed as a crusade on the Taoiseach's website. sector. A crusade is a war against the heathen. The Trade Union position was seen by Government to be unrealistic—and the The Turks were undoubtedly heathens. international markets were anyway unlikely to wear it—and so the Government moved Francis Ledwige—who abandoned nar- to re-assert the hegemony of the state over the recovery process and stabilise the country's row Irish nationalism to take part in the economic and financial viability. To date the three most effective Fine Gael leaders of great British escapade against Germans, the last 50 years (Fitzgerald, Dukes and John Bruton) have abandoned party to row in Austrians, Hungarians, Croats, Czechs, behind the Government strategy for patriotic reasons. They decisively undermined Fine Slovaks, Turks, and Greeks—wrote a Gael's nit-picking "alternatives" to NAMA (National Asset Management Agency) in the poem, in which he rubbed home the point process. about its being a Holy War. And now the President has led a Pilgrimage to the sacred site. continued on page 2 continued on page 4

David Cameron's UCUNF exaggeration to say that the readiness to advent of a Tory government, I skimmed mobilise unionism against the British through a biography of the man. Interest- So David Cameron has won inter- national interest has been one of the darkest ingly, among the couple of dozen photo- national recognition, though maybe not in and most atavistic Tory political vices from graphs there were no less than three from the 1880s onwards. Think of Lord Randolph a way he would have wished: personal Churchill, FE Smith, Andrew Bonar Law County Antrim: one with a shooting party appeals from Hilary and George W no less. and, more recently, Enoch Powell. So it hosted by Viscount Dunluce at Glenarm Leaves him looking like an amateur who may not be surprising that, even under Mr Castle; another with the local Fire Brigade has blundered into matters beyond his Cameron, things have not entirely changed, at the same place, following a burnt toast understanding or competence. even to the extent of holding the secret talks incident; lastly a naked Cameron emerging A few weeks ago the Guardian gave at Hatfield House, where a previous Lord from a stream. him a history lesson, in an interesting Salisbury hosted rallies against Irish home I'm sure that our possible future ruler editorial from which I will quote just rule long ago." acquired a wealth of local knowledge briefly: from these incidents, but there's more. "When it comes to Ireland and the union, But should Mr Cameron require such There is one direct reference to Northern the Conservative party has form. On occa- history lessons? In preparation for the sion, very serious form indeed. It is no possible (though not by any means certain) To page 2, column 3 reduced from their above-top EU salary levels to something approaching a saner C O N T E N T S norm. Though, mind you, there are many Page further "adjustments" that could be Ireland: The State We're In. Editorial 1 contemplated, with Hospital Consultants Brother England & Gallipoli. Editorial 1 still luxuriating in incomes two and a half David Cameron's UCUNF. Tom Doherty 1 times their French or German equivalents. Readers' Letters: The 'Square Peg' Responds. Dennis Kennedy; But, as part of the turnaround imple- Sinn Fein And Gallipoli. Wilson John Haire 3,6 mented by the Cowen Government, the Garret, Greeks And Germans. Jack Lane 5 Department of the Taoiseach has been Two Poems. Investing In Death. Nightie Night. Wilson John Haire 6 sidelined and a civil service leadership Shorts from the Long Fellow (The Media Agenda; Democracy Is The Problem! elite, led by (though broader than) the Electoral Reform; The Print Media; Ryanair And Hangar 6; Ryanair's Department of Finance, has emerged as Real Motivation?; Retail Madness 7 the Command Staff of the process. Connolly's Rebel Song At Imperial War Museum. Manus O'Riordan (report) 8 The Government has succeeded in this A Founder Of The State. Professor Cathal MacSwiney Brugha 9 strategy beyond both its own wildest Bill Sharkey. James Daly (Funeral Oration) 11 dreams, as well as those of the senior state Casement Events. Ted O'Sullivan 11 servant stratum. There has been a massive The Spy Who Grew Up With The Bold. Manus O'Riordan (John Betjeman, Part 2) 12 recovery in confidence in the state among Barack Hussein Obama & The IRA. Seán McGouran 14 civil servants and policy-makers. A coterie DIBlues 2: Tom Barry. Jack Lane 15 of senior state officials has now been Religion And Nationality. Roy Johnston 15 gathered around the Cabinet leaders and it Gallipoli Cost Us More Than Soldiers. Dr. Pat Walsh (report of article and letter) 16 is effectively driving state recovery And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. Eric Bogle (extract from song) 17 strategy in unison with the inner Cabinet Es Ahora. Julianne Herlihy (The Peter Hart Syndrome; Kenya, The Mau Mau leadership cadré of Cowen-Lenihan- Hanafin-Martin-O'Keeffe-Ó Cuív-Carey- And Britain; Sky TV And Disaster News; African Aid) 18 Gormley. Biteback: British Honours? (Report of letters: Niall Meehan; Tom Cooper) 20 BICO On Wikipedia. Editorial 20 The George Lee incident was a useful Labour Resolution. Northern Ireland Constituency Council (report) 20 interlude, indeed a watershed in public Does It Stack Up? Michael Stack (Stroke Politics; Scam Artists; NAMA 21 perceptions of politics. It has led to a Israeli Diamonds Are Not Forever! Daniel Teegan 21 resurgence of belief in the public interest commitment at the heart of politics that Ibec Wrong On Public Sector Numbers. Manus O'Riordan 22 cannot be replaced by the indulging of prima donnas from the media. The influ- Labour Comment, edited by Pat Maloney: ence of the media—and particularly of media Cassandras such as Professor Lucey Moment Of Destiny? and Fintan O'Toole of The Irish Times, (back page) David McWilliams and others—peaked with Lee and has been falling with him. The recovery strategy came in stages. been achieved while maintaining the sub- The essential refusal by The Irish Times First came the Bank Guarantee Scheme, stance of the welfare state created over the in the 1920s to believe that the Irish natives denounced by the EU leadership but since last decade and keeping the door open for are other than corrupt, or incapable of widely replicated elsewhere; then the a return to Social Partnership. McCarthy Report; then a rigorous cutting In an ingenious twist, the Government of public expenditure over two Budgets; has committed itself not to cut but to close David Cameron and finally NAMA. Nerves were calmed, the "gap" in public expenditure by €3bn in continued the IMF and EU lined up to praise the Irish each of the next two budgets. Irish political parties: "Cameron left the strategy, and Ireland was lifted from the Effectively, the more that this gap is Commons chamber... vowing revenge on PIGS group of states threatening to 'fail' closed by increased revenues—through a the DUP" after they had switched to the (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain: the acro- combination of the effects of a recovery in government side on the forty-two day nym was coined by an influential Financial international trade and tax increases—the detention policy. Times columnist; originally the 'I' rep- less will be required in actual cuts. And But studying for "A" levels at Eton, resented Ireland). this leaves plenty of room for the Social Cameron chose as a subject "Northern Partners to bargain for, when and if they Ireland: A Study in Conflict" and was The backing for the Government from chose to re-engage with the realities of the taught by Dr Andrew Gailey, apparently the Fine Gael statesmen—as with the crisis. an Ulsterman, who was also his Tutor in Tallaght Strategy of 1987—was based on Workers in the public sector have his final two years at school. What light an assumption by them that stabilisation largely accepted the logic of the Govern- might this interest of the adolescent and recovery could only be implemented Cameron throw on the current Leader of at large-scale social cost and against the ment position and responded to Union calls for protest with a distinct lack of the Opposition? Either he is even more wish of Irish society. enthusiasm. That the Chief of Staff of the intellectually lightweight than already Once again—as with Haughey in 1987, Irish Army is no longer paid more than his expected, or else, possibly, Ulster Union- when he underpinned his recovery strategy counterpart in the nuclear-armed British ism is an essential part of his political with the institution of Social Partnership Army, which is involved in renewed fabric. based on the European model—the Fine imperial missions around the globe, is What is certain is that if the Ulster Gael statesmen have been proved wrong. regarded as a necessary rebalancing of Unionist fly under the flag of UCUNF it Major cuts in public expenditure and in things. Or, at a more mundane level, Irish will be a boon to graffiti artists. the public sector salary bill have this time politicians and civil servants have been Tom Doherty 2 running a state, has morphed into a populist or leftist liberal Oppositionism that is LETTERS TO THE EDITOR · LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· essentially the same thing. But balance has now been restored in the public mind over the relationship between politics and The 'Square Peg' Response the media. The howling of media com- I am grateful to the IPR for devoting so much space to a review of my Square Peg, and mentators, and of the middle class mobs to John Martin for his detailed and, largely, fair analysis of its contents, and particularly mobilised through RTE events like the for drawing attention to my error on page 91 where I said "first McDowell and then Pat Kenny TV show Frontline, are now Gageby had been brought in to modernise" the Irish Times, when of course it should have parading their "anger" to a less receptive been the other way round, Gageby then McDowell. I must have read that phrase half a society. dozen times in draft and proof and never spotted it, as did none of the three Irish Times veterans who read that chapter for me. The Unions throughout, while talking If an author can misread his own copy, how much more easily can a reviewer do so. class war, have recently made it clear that John Martin refers to Colonel FitzSimon's account of how an Irish regiment stationed in they are available for a renewed Partner- Germany or Austria in 1921 welcomed the news of "the Anglo-Irish Treaty", and goes ship process, one that no longer will require on to make a political point about reaction in Ireland to the Treaty. But as the book states as a pre-condition—in the short term at clearly the reference was to the announcement of the "truce of July 1921 between Lloyd least—a reversal of last year's salary cuts. George and DeValera", not to the later Treaty. And the Government is responding with I may or may not have, as John Martin suggests, "a distain for the cut and thrust of (conditionally) open arms. The beginnings politics"—I shall have to think about that—but as a first example in the book of this of a process is underway towards an agree- weakness, or strength, on my part, he cites my story of the Paisley march on the Belfast ment on a transformation strategy for the Telegraph offices in protest against an editorial I had written, and says the most public service (based on the 2008 OECD interesting aspect of my account is that I do not indicate "what precisely the Paisleyites Report Transforming Ireland's Public objected to". Services), which goes way beyond the But I do—on page 35 I state, precisely, that it was my description of them as "the moderate but still substantial "moderni- lunatic fringes of unionism". sation" achieved through two rounds of Mr. Martin sees further evidence for my distain for politics in the book having little benchmarking. to say about Hillery's attempt to have Northern Ireland raised at the UN in 1969, failing There are also preliminary talks about to add an analysis of South Africa under apartheid to my account of a visit there in 1969, a follow-up full Social Partnership arrange- and not including the assassination of JFK in 1963 in a one paragraph reference to the fact ment. But the turn-about has been decisive. that I had spent a year in America in 1963-64. But Square Peg is not about these things— The NESC (National Economic & Social it is a book about my experience, as a northern Protestant, of living in Dublin, and of Council) has been pared back to its essen- working for the Irish Times. tial role, with the add-ons of the NESF Two minor points; I do not have an "Ulster Methodist background", nor does the book (National Economic Social Forum), along say so. My dalliance with Methodism began and ended with my years in Dublin. Second, with Peter Cassells' "Centre for Partner- I did not suggest that part of my motivation for going to Ethiopia was that missionaries ship" abolished without a whimper. In were exempt from income tax. I was recruited as a journalist; the fact that all employees addition the once mighty FÁS (training) at the Lutheran radio station in Addis Ababa were deemed missionaries and therefore organisation has been destroyed, with its exempt from income tax came as a pleasant surprise with my first, but still very modest, Social Partnership Board disbanded and a pay packet. Ministerially-appointed replacement Dennis Kennedy board appointed, devoid of a single Trade Union representative. The legislation Government strategy. As Bill Gates told Bruton. You're a Garret FitzGerald. required for this was passed by a sullen Hanafin, what Microsoft needed was not You've tripled the national debt, you've Dáil,—without a murmur of protest from computer engineers but creative people, effectively destroyed the country …. So (New?) Labour. But if a Partnership deal and this area is regarded as having huge enjoy writing your boring articles in The is reconstructed, it will represent little employment and enterprise potential into Irish Times in a few years' time" (The more than a social contextualising of the the future—a perspective boosted by the Irish Times, 24th March). Thus is Garret's recovery process (a good thing in itself)— five recent Academy Award nominations refusal to endorse FG's economic rather than the driving force of it, which is for technical creativity to graduates of 'alternative' resented among the Blueshirt! located at the centre of Government. This Ballyfermot College of Further Education. And the American analogies continued is the fault of the Social Partners, not the The re-arrangement of the Education, Government. If they had come up with a Skills, Employment and Social Protection with Labour, with Gilmore surveying the credible answer to the crisis, the role would portfolios also signifies some dynamism re-arranged Cabinet with the weak imitation of an Obama flourish "This is have been theirs for the taking. and an imaginative restructuring of public not what real Change looks like!" The latest triumph by the Government, services, and is in line with the central in its recovery from its 20% poll ratings at employment and enterprise aspects of the Rather than emerging as a credible the height of the much invoked "public recovery strategy which are now about to alternative, Fine Gael/Labour seem ever anger", is the reshuffle announced on be rolled out. more trapped in their traditional role, 23rd March. Brian Lenihan remains at the This magazine consistently expresses "fruitlessly waiting", as The Irish Times helm of Finance as long as his health the hope that the Fine Gael and Labour put it at the start of the year, "for a allows, an act not without an echo of the parties develop a substantial politics of devastating tribunal disclosure which self-sacrificing spirit of the GPO of 1916, opposition and potential Government, but would propel them into office", rather and noted that way by the public. Mary they continue to disappoint. In response to than using "their time in waiting to consider Hanafin's move from Social and Family the re-shuffle, Leo Varadkar, FG front- their policies for government" (2nd Affairs to Arts, Sports and Culture is not bench spokesman on Enterprise, attacked January 2010). The evidence is that they a demotion. Since January's "diaspora" Cowen with a remarkable paraphrasing of remain content in the role of offering an gathering at Farmleigh on the economic a 1988 US presidential election jibe: occasional rest for the natural party of potential of the arts and "creative indus- "Taoiseach, You're no Seán Lemass. Government while it gets on with the job. tries", this issue has moved to the centre of You're no Jack Lynch and you're no John 3 Turkey declared itself neutral in the ced as the immoral morality of Rome. Brother England continued European War of 1914, and in the World The incident in the Black Sea, whatever it was, no more obliged Britain to make war This war, in which Gallipoli was an War which followed quickly when the British Empire joined in, blockaded Ger- on Turkey than it obliged the USA a couple incident, came about because we (that is, of years later. But Britain itself was intent the non-foreign British) wanted one bit of many, and seized German trade and German possessions. The Turkish object on having a piece of the Turkish state, and it the Turkish state and Russia wanted also had a secret agreement with Russia, and another bit — and then, when we got the was to survive the World War, despite the fact that Russia and Britain had designs on so it too used the Black Sea incident as an war going, the French wanted a third bit. excuse for war. So we called off our conflict with Russia it. And it kept up this neutral stance so that together we could squeeze the despite British provocations. Two war- And then it demanded that Greece should Turks. ships built in Britain for Turkey, bought make war on Turkey and offered it a fourth and paid for, were seized by Britain in July bit of Turkey as bait. When Greece refused Russia joined us in the war against 1914, before anyone had declared war. Then, to declare war, Britain declared it to be a Germany and Austria in August 1914—in in August, two German warships caught German agent, invaded it, overthrew its fact we joined it, because it was Russia in the Mediterranean were shepherded by Government, set up a puppet Government that started it so that we could join in— the Royal Navy into Turkish waters. The which did declare war—and suffered heavily with the object of getting Constantinople Germans made a gift of them to the Turks. a few years later as a result. (Istanbul). The whole world knew that Britain declared this a breach of neutrality what Russia wanted was Constantinople. and blockaded Turkey. But it did not While Britain was in the course of The dogs in the street were barking it. We declare war at that point, nor did Turkey— conquering the Middle East the Tsarist State had earlier fought a war against Russia to though the blockade was an act of war. collapsed, and the middle class state that stop them getting it. That was the Crimean The war in Europe stabilised in the followed collapsed because of its attempt to War. We were not yet ready then to take Autumn. Both sides dug themselves into keep up the Tsarist war. our bit of Turkey, so we had to stop the strong trenches along the entire Western Once Russia declared war on Turkey, the Russians taking the bit they wanted. But Front, and the Russian Steamroller was Turks engaged in active combat. They were we were ready in 1914, and we went into stopped to the east of Germany. That was caught between Russia and Britain in the action together with the Tsar. when the war on Turkey was launched. Middle East. When the Russian Armies A letter in the Irish Independent (April What actually went on between Turkey dissolved, Britain extended its operations 25) says that, in making war on Turkey, and Russia in the Black Sea is a matter of into the Russian sphere. It had allocated we "were fighting, in the words of Wood- speculation. The certainty is that Russia Northern Persia to Russia, but now Britain row Wilson, to make the world a safe was in the war to get Constantinople and had to hold the Front in that region. place for democracy". We were fighting everybody knew that. And it was a good for democracy, and the big army in that guess, and later an established fact, that A recent book about this says that up to war for democracy was our ally, the abso- Britain had agreed that the Russians should ten million people died in a Famine caused lutist Tsar. have Constantinople. by the mode of British operations in Northern Influential American opinion at the time It was also no secret that Britain was in Persia in 1917-19, Mohammed Gholi Majd: was of the view that the main reason for expansionist mode in the Middle East. Egypt The Great Famine And Genocide In Persia the war on Germany was that Germany was British. And in the years before 1914 1917-19 (University Press of America 2003). was helping the Turkish state to strengthen maps were being published which coloured We are being urged to embrace Our War. itself, and thereby to obstruct the expan- in Southern Persia (Iran) as part of the Brit- So let us at least find out what we are sionist ambitions of the Tsarist Empire ish Empire. (Britain had allocated North- embracing. and Our Empire to take Constantinople ern Persia to Russia.) And it was coming Greece is not having an easy time just and the Middle East. to light that the British Empire had crossed now. Let us do something to cheer it up. Let Three years later America entered the the Gulf and gained a foothold in Arabia us explain what a good thing it was for us to war on the side of Britain and France and by means of a secret Treaty with a Sheik invade them, to free them from the Hun- it defeated Germany for them. Britain and in Kuwait, who owed allegiance to the Turk- lovers that were keeping them out of the France (the Entente) had got very heavily ish Empire and had no authority to make wars, and to force them into war with the in debt to the US in 1915-16. The Germans Treaties. A continuous land Empire from Turks, with all the good things that followed and Turks proved much harder to beat India to Egypt was in process of construction. from that. than was expected. The Entente was unable to supply itself with arms. It had to With Britain and Russia in connivance, This year Gallipoli; next year Smyrna! buy from the US, and to borrow from the Turkey had no realistic prospect of sitting How about it Mary? (But whatever happened US in order to buy. The Turks were out the war as it wished to do. Russia to Smyrna?) holding their own, and the Germans, des- declared war on 2nd November, on foot of The President says that making war is a pite being greatly outnumbered, were in some incident, or alleged incident, in the good thing and should be celebrated regard- danger of winning, or of forcing a negotiat- Black Sea. Everyone knows that the less of the purpose of the war. The Irish ed peace—which would have been a vic- pretext for the British war on Germany Times supported her view (25 March) and tory for Germany, which had no territorial was the march of the German Army quotes a Ledwidge poem saying Gallipoli claims, and a defeat for Britain and Russia, through Belgium. It's in all the history was a war for peace. It does not quote his which had. And, if Germany had won, the books. But the Black Sea incident has lines saying it was a Christian Crusade US would have had to write off the massive been rather coy about presenting itself. against the heathen. And the Middle East is Entente borrowings as bad debts. About fifteen years earlier Britain decid- still trying to recover the peace which our So the US entered the war and defeated ed to have the Boer Republics, and set war on Turkey shattered. Germany—but made a point of not joining about building pressure on them. It squeez- And the Latvians are celebrating their the Entente in its war against Turkey. So ed the Republics until they decided the war, in which their heroes fought in the Nazi Woodrow Wilson must have thought that only thing to do was to hit out: and that SS against Bolshevism in 1941-4, but we Turkey was an OK state. So the "Our was the moral justification for their des- don't seem to approve of that. Why not? War" which we celebrate at Gallipoli is truction. Britain is skilled at this casuistic The Latvians had at least been ruled by the exclusively a British Empire War, recog- morality—a kind of morality which at an Bolsheviks. We were never ruled by the nised as such by the USA. earlier stage in its development it denoun- Turks. 4 The wars in the Balkans were caused by the EU in their hubristic wish to break up the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, a Garret, Greeks and Germans move initiated by Mrs.Thatcher. The EU facilitated secessions, which every dog in "Her appointment was a political deal Garret Fitzgerald writes a weekly the area knew would inevitably create homily in the Irish Times and the state of to satisfy the egos of heads of several major European governments—and also, ethnic conflict. The EU is therefore respon- the EU is a typical theme for him. These sible for the subsequent horrors and are usually muddled affairs that make perhaps, to ensure no serious competition between the new high representative and hundreds of thousands of deaths, which sense in some ethereal world of his own. has ensured ethnic conflict for generations On 6th of March he ruminated on: president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. This should not to come. And this is now the EU model for "Tighter control of euro zone states have happened." Unfortunately Garret foreign policy success! Let's hope the needed. Europe cannot let irresponsible sees no further than egos. This is a pathetic Baroness writes her biography soon so states undermine the currency union" explanation. It is a transfer of power but that we can follow her thought process and the object of his admonitions was of Garret has never been good at calling a from Treasurer of Campaign for Nuclear course Greece. But who or what exactly is spade a spade—or even recognising one. Disarmament to this. going to enforce 'tighter controls' Garret The relationship between the Member After all his admonishing of Greece does not specify. He has to admit that this States and the new EAS was spelt out even Garret admits that: "The Stability and problem with Greece is happening at a more clearly in the following report: Growth Pact, negotiated in Dublin in the "very time when the cohesion of the EU is "At their biannual informal meeting, 1990s, has clearly been a failure and already very weak", which would seem to the (Council of Foreign) Ministers also needs to be radically reviewed." So Greece rule out any tighter control of anything by discussed plans to establish a new EU is to be condemned, although the policy the EU. diplomatic corps. Against the backdrop that caused the problem was misguided. But we were told that the Lisbon Treaty of resistance in the European Commission Garret does not elaborate on the review he was required to deal with this very problem to the ceding of powers to the European has in mind. More of the same, or less, or of an alleged lack of cohesion. The basis External Action Service, ministers none? of this growing lack of cohesion is never expressed the view that the body should spelt out. not dilute their power in external affairs. And, while on his high horse, he "“The main player is the council of the declares: The EU is now dominated by the needs foreign ministers with the high represent- "Europe cannot afford to permit of the major states. That is the only reality. ative”, said Luxembourg minister Jean irresponsible member states to act in a When the Greek 'crisis' arose, Germany Asselborn, echoing the views of many of way that may undermine the economies and France decided what to do and nobody his counterparts. of all their partners. This means the else was even present. That is the inter- “I think that we have to finish very, economic policies of euro zone states Governmental approach to issues: Lisbon very quickly this discussion because need to be subjected to much tighter signalled the full emergence of that foreign ministers are there to speak about control at European level." approach in contrast to the community foreign policy and not about formalities approach where all are equally engaged. But there is one exception and there and all these logistical instruments”…" can be a situation where all the rest of the (IT 8.3.10). The new approach is also seen with EU is out of step on economic policy: Baroness Ashton and her role. She was The EAS is therefore simply a "logis- "However, just because many decades appointed by the Governments and they tical instrument" of the Foreign Ministries ago other western European states made decided to give her job a zero role—she is and, as that instrument is taking more the mistake of deciding to tax company to do as she is told by them. She fits the bill power from the Commission, it is quite profits heavily, we should not be obliged to follow that counter-productive perfectly. Cometh the hour cometh the clear where power is gravitating and who practice." woman. is now in charge. It is absurd that the But she also has a specific job to do smaller Member States are encouraging So again all can be all right if looked at which is to create the new External Action this development, which ensures there is exclusively from what is best from your Service (EAS) and take as much power as no serious element in the structure that own state's point of view. Very EU indeed! possible from the Commission, hitherto treats all members on an equal basis. They the centre of the EU. must be satisfied with the rhetoric of The Euro has been so arranged that, as "Many European governments have Europe but not to be taken seriously when before, the Germans provide the money- urged Baroness Ashton to hold strong in real issues are on the table. bags when needed. They did cough up talks with the Commission. Minister for The Baroness's speech to the European with a clear conscience when there was Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin last night Parliament on 10th March was reported as something better and bigger to aim for— said the Commission would have to “share follows and gives an indication of what a united Europe. But now they are asked to responsibilities” when the EAS is estab— might be in store: bail out another country, with maybe others lished. “It has to be particularly generous "Priorities for the EAS would be the to follow later—and they are asking in relation to the office of the High ability to plan and conduct military themselves: for what? The EU is also so Representative in my view in terms of the operations, to develop ways to co-ordinate arranged that it is draining Germany's role and functions”, he said of the civilian operations and to link with self-respect as well as its coffers. And the Commission" (Irish Times, 6.3.10). organisations such as the UN and Nato. former is ultimately more important than This is a nice piece of 'Eurospeak', "Baroness Ashton outlined her foreign the latter for them as for anybody else. which says to the Commission 'let go of policy vision, saying it was “impossible There is a great desire to desire to hide more power and look happy about it'. At a to state how important this moment is” this obvious fact: certain point this denuding of the Commis- and that it was a “once-in-a-generation "Commission president José Manuel sion will mean that the centre will not opportunity”. Barroso said last week the financial hold. "The EU's approach to the western support mechanism would be constructed Balkans was a model for what the EU in such a way that neither individual Even Garret realises something has strategy should be, she said…" (IT governments nor the euro zone collective- gone wrong here: 11.3.2010). ly would be assuming Greece's debts. 5 "The German government regards this LETTERS TO THE EDITOR · LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· LETTERS TO THE EDITOR· as essential, because EU treaty law contains a “no bail-out” clause that could be invoked by domestic opponents of financial aid for Greece in a constitutional Sinn Fein And Gallipoli lawsuit. Remarks on Some Comment in March Irish Political Review "Euro-zone officials said Germany's Sinn Fein's support of the Irish President's intended visit to Gallipoli to honour the Irish role might involve KfW, a state-owned dead of 1915 has got to be a new low. Their reply to Mark Langhammer's protest is a development bank whose remit includes disgrace. I wonder now if this united Ireland they are on about sometimes could be one the financing of “internationally agreed within the British Commonwealth. Why else would Sinn Fein throw its weight in behind this support programmes” and supplying past British Imperialist adventure? They are not going to win the Northern Protestant over funds “in the interests of the German and in this manner. Many of the battered survivors were around when I was a teenager and most European economy”." (IT, 15.3.10). of them condemned having been sent to almost certain death. Their grandchildren will be This is an attempted sleight of hand. aware of this cynicism. Forget the slogans on the banners of the Orange parades, still The bank concerned will hardly oblige celebrating Queen Victoria and British Imperialism, that doesn't represent the majority of unless loans to Greece are guaranteed by the Protestant population. the German Government and so the whole The truth of the matter is not many Northern Protestant are going to care that much about problem is back in Germany's lap in a very Southern Catholic lackeys going to their death in Gallipoli. They don't care all that much for short time. Otherwise Barroso is some Southern Protestants either, as I discovered in the Belfast shipyard during the 1940s-50s. kind of magician. Nor cared much for the loyal Northern Catholic. James Magennis was a young Belfast Germany created a united country, and Catholic who joined the Royal Navy after leaving school in 1935. When the European paid for it and did it for a clear and obvious colonial powers were defeated in the Far East, he was part of a midget-submarine team that reason—to unite the German body politic. sank a Japanese cruiser in Singapore. For this he was awarded the VC (Victoria Cross), the It was able to do it because there was such only one awarded in the Six Counties for WW2. Back in Belfast the Lord Mayor of the a body to unite. It is natural that they Unionist Belfast Corporation denied him the Freedom of the City. It took until October 1999 would look on that as a template for uniting before a plaque was erected in his honour at the Belfast City Hall. You can imagine the Europe. But the prospect of a united Europe whoops of triumph if a Protestant had won it. His face would certainly have appeared on an is a mirage by comparison and a potential Orange banner. nightmare for them if present polices are I notice that on British Television programmes like the recent Any Questions held in followed through and the EU message to Belfast the Sinn Fein representative on the panel took all the insults from the Unionist about them is pay up and stop moaning. the Provisional IRA and violence but seemed unwilling to clarify by bringing in such facts as Loyalist violence through their death squads. At least they might have explained the The Irish Times editorialises on the situation if only for an the benefit of the English viewer. same point, putting it a little more grandi- The Irish Political Review has observed astutely that in Britain militarism seems to be be osely but it would be no less infuriating enough in itself—though the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't popular in Britain, the for any German: troops are. Of course the last time Britain went to war with its equal was in 1940 and was "The German government has opened defeated, by the German Army. An issue of the Irish Political Review pointed out some time up a badly-needed political debate on ago that Britain didn't go it alone on mainland Europe with this powerful enemy for the rest this, but Germany's interests alone cannot of WW2 (nor took on any fully-developed nation ever again). dictate the outcome…" (IT 15.3.10). Since that time they have fought ill-equipped guerrilla movements in their colonies, fought a thirty-year war against the Provisional IRA in the Six Counties without achieving But sometimes he who pays the piper overall victory, and went to war with Argentina (who lags well behind the European military insists on calling the tune and quite right power) over the Malvinas and even came close to losing that intrusion. All options are open too. If and when the Germans decide that now with China and the Soviet Union out of the equation. How many now remember the others must dance to their tune, the Greek threat against Cuba in 1962 and that all too coincidental feint of the Chinese Red Army in 'crisis' will be small beer indeed compared its sudden attack on India over disputed territory. Then too there was the Suez invasion by to what might then come down the track the UK, France and Israel, and the Soviet invasion of Hungary, both in 1956. Such moves for the EU. made for a more cautious Western European-US imperialism. Jack Lane Britain can't even go it alone with a poor nation like Afghanistan and is there with NATO and forty other nations. And is Iraq a fully developed nation? They have got to be pretty INVESTING IN DEATH desperate to crow over such small pickings. What is Turkey doing entertaining this shadow of an imperial power? A few years back Turkish political prisoners were dying on hunger Kills whole villages for one Taliban. strike by the dozen. Sinn Fein felt it was its duty to visit these people. What has happened Kills whole generations for one Afghan, since that time—destroyed its left-wing in order to curry favour with Britain and the Irish/ these Reapers—Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. American super-rich? A computer screen, coffee and bagels, Wilson John Haire, 21st March. 2010 coward's comfort at Creech Airbase, Nevada. Flown from Kandahar with killer's ardour to deliver two five-hundred-pound bombs and fire four Hellfire missiles with aplomb. NIGHTIE NIGHT They said communism was delirium, Three liberal parties in league courted Nazism for equilibrium, 'Unlawful killing by the Did history begin with with murder. Ground Zero, while they possessed and oppressed the Taliban.' A media willing to Maybe love began with Third World. A verdict by a British embroider. Aphrodite. Now they are giving it another whirl. coroner, Proud parents give their loved ones Did Imperium begin There could have been peace in East and of soldiers killed by the to the shroud. with Nero West foreigner. All you do is die to be Brit law dreams—rules the world but bred they who wear the suicide vest. Not in England but in Afghanistan. a hero. in its nightie. Wilson John Haire What kind of arrogance rules How worthless life has become Wilson John Haire 11th February, 2010 now this land. in Blighty. 10th March, 2010 6 industry in this country. No wonder Cullen obtain an overall majority. This has was in the audience rather than having the resulted in smaller parties having a status of one of Kenny's invited guests! disproportionate influence (e.g. the Prog- Kenny tried to salvage something from ressive Democrats from the late 1980s up Shorts this by asking Thomas Byrne why the until recently). The argument against a from scrappage scheme had not been introduced less proportional system has been that it earlier. The Fianna Fáil TD replied that would result in permanent Fianna Fáil the Long Fellow there was a strong economic argument Government (as if we haven't had that in against introducing the scheme because recent years!?). Whatever about the this industry had no manufacturing jobs in validity of this in the past, it does not apply THE MEDIA AGENDA There was a time that media person- this country. However, the Government now: the opinion polls show that Fine alities were not supposed to express their relented when the extent of the job losses Gael is now the largest party and Labour political opinions on air, but that was a in this sector became clear. is not far behind Fianna Fáil. long time ago . . . The discussion was then turned away A third flaw is that in multi-seat Pat Kenny's Frontline of 22nd February from the audience and Kenny asked Byrne constituencies candidates from the same began with the host asking what our young and Creighton how many business people party are competing against each other. people think of our discredited political were on the Front Benches of their Since they cannot compete on the basis of system. The 'fact' of our system being respective parties. Again there was an policies there is an incentive to compete discredited was taken as read; the only unstated assumption: that it was not enough on the basis of needless constituency work. issue was how people were to respond to for a politician to be elected by the people. The Long Fellow thinks that a constitu- it. This led to an uncritical interview with tional amendment allowing only single The opening assumption was the same Dylan Collins, a young Irish entrepreneur seat constituencies would overcome the as a programme he did on the Late Late who made his fortune in games software. defects of the existing system while retain- Show last year but the format was slightly Not surprisingly, he thought that the coun- ing the principle of directly elected politi- different. On last year's show The Irish try would be better run by businessmen cians under the single transferable vote. Times journalist Fintan O'Toole lectured like himself. an audience of politicians and members of Towards the end of the programme Pat THE PRINT MEDIA the public on the shortcoming of the Kenny sneered at a Fine Gael policy The print media in Ireland as elsewhere political system as well as the Irish people, proposing that only 12 TDs out of 166 is struggling, but some newspapers have whom he thought should "grow up". He should be appointed through a list system. suffered more than others. Among the big was aided and abetted by Kenny and two Again, the unquestioned assumption was losers was The Irish Times, whose average other media personalities. that a system of directly elected politicians daily circulation fell by 7.4% to just under On the Frontline programme two politi- was undesirable. 107 thousand in the second half of 2009 cians faced a hostile audience (as well as compared to the same period the previous Kenny). But, whereas last year O'Toole ELECTORAL REFORM year. According to the Audit Bureau of had about 10 minutes to make his case and There is a case for the proposition that Circulation this compared with a drop of did it from a pulpit at a distance from the our politicians are too close to the people 3% to about 150 thousand for the Irish audience, the two elected politicians on and constituency demands mean that they Independent. this year's programme (Thomas Byrne of do not have time to consider the great The Irish Times's circulation peaked Fianna Fáil and Lucinda Creighton of issues of the day. But the Long Fellow under Conor Brady's editorship (1986 to Fine Gael) were allowed 90 seconds each thinks that the great issues of the day 2002) at about 115 thousand and has to make their case. They were placed a should not be decided upon in splendid experienced a marginal decline under few feet from the hostile audience in the isolation from the people. The prospect of Kennedy's editorship. This must be a little manner of defendants appealing for individuals in government not directly disappointing for the newspaper which, leniency for their transgressions. accountable to the people is a cure much unlike its more down market rival, has not A Labour Councillor in the audience worse than the supposed disease. experienced any serious competition from suggested that his party could provide an Nevertheless, there are three reasons imported British titles. alternative, but he was quickly 'corrected' why our electoral system should be re- It is a moot point whether other inform- by Kenny, who pointed out that Labour formed. Firstly, there is a fundamental ation media complement or are a substitute was the same as Fianna Fáil and Fine flaw in the operation of the system. The for reading newspapers. The introduction Gael. The problem as Kenny made clear distribution of surpluses is arbitrary. It is of television in Ireland during the 1960s from the outset was the political system. not practical to distribute fractions of an coincided with a dramatic increase in the All parties were culpable. elected candidate's surplus votes. This is circulation of The Irish Times. But it why the 'deck' is shuffled in advance, so appears that the internet is substituting that the distribution of surplus ballot papers for, rather than complementing, newspaper DEMOCRACY IS THE PROBLEM! Having attempted to secure a conviction does not come from an unrepresentative sales. against the system in a rigged trial, Kenny area in a constituency. There have been One of the problems for newspapers is then proceeded to offer a solution. The occasions in the past where unsuccessful that consumers are less dependent on the ground was carefully prepared in advance. candidates in closely fought contests have journalist. If they are interested in a parti- The successful Irish businessman Bill felt, very understandably, that they were cular story, alternative sources of informa- Cullen was invited to speak, but Cullen robbed. A computerised system might tion are just a mouse click away. was unreliable for Kenny's purposes have overcome this problem, but rightly or wrongly, the Irish people have decided because he didn't think much of the RYANAIR AND HANGAR 6 audience members who castigated the that they do not trust such a system. An online reading of the Oireachtas politicians. He thought that they were A second disadvantage is that it is too Transport Committee hearings on the spoilt children who expected things to be proportional. While many people consider controversy surrounding Ryanair's pro- done for them rather than doing things for this an advantage, the decline of Fianna posal to create 300 aircraft maintenance themselves. In an even more egregious Fáil, as well as judicial decisions regarding jobs in Hangar 6 shows how inadequate faux pas Cullen said that Fianna Fáil's car constituency boundaries, have meant that the print media's reporting of this issue scrappage scheme had saved the car it is almost impossible for a single party to has been. 7 To put it mildly Ryanair's offer to create in Hangar 6 either as a freehold or with players in the squad, who consider them- 300 jobs if Aer Lingus were evicted from the IDA as its landlord rather than the selves British, would be alienated. Hangar 6 has little credibility. Dublin Airport Authority. This is a problem, which has wider Michael O'Leary produced copious implications. If the country moves towards correspondence for the Committee. But, But there is a third more compelling a United Ireland will this require a dilution as Michael Kennedy of Fianna Fáil pointed explanation for O'Leary's behaviour. of our Republican traditions? …Ireland's out, the Ryanair Chief Executive somehow Ryanair has a 29% stake in Aer Lingus. call writ large? forgot to produce a letter from himself to The Irish State holds 24%. If Ryanair can Be careful what you might wish for. It the IDA dated 2nd July 2009. In this letter demonstrate that its political influence is might come true! O'Leary gave an undertaking to comply such that it can compel the Irish State with its 24% stake to act against the interests of with the lease conditions requiring the Report prospective tenant to move from Hangar 6 Aer Lingus, the share price of this airline to alternative premises, if this was required will plummet, enabling Ryanair to take by the Dublin Airport Authority to develop over the company at a bargain price. The Connolly's Rebel Song the airport. This letter also somehow failed other shareholders might very well have a to be published by O'Leary's groupies in legal case against the State for destroying At Imperial War Museum the Sunday Independent. the value of the company, but that won't So O'Leary was prepared to move from worry Ryanair. On March 13th the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT) held a celebration Hangar 6 once he had evicted Aer Lingus In pursuing the mirage of 300 jobs the in London's Imperial War Museum of the from it but was not prepared to contemplate Irish State would have only succeeded in life of its late President, Jack Jones (1913- the provision of alternative accommod- destroying the 3,700 real and existing jobs 2009). The following address was made by Manus O'Riordan: ation by the IDA, which would have in Aer Lingus. avoided the necessity of evicting Aer It is, indeed, a great honour for us Lingus. RETAIL MADNESS children of brigadistas to share with Has Fine Gael learned anything from The Ryanair Chief Executive was badly International Brigade veterans Sam Lesser the last two years? That is the question exposed by the Committee. His original (95 next week, March 18th) and Jack that arises from a proposed 25,000 square plan was to create 500 jobs if he obtained Edwards (96) in this celebration of the life metre retail development supported by Hangar 6. This "promise" was reduced to of Jack Jones. It is all the more so for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County 300 after he had agreed to create 200 jobs myself, since the last overseas journey Council. at Prestwick airport in Scotland. But the undertaken by Jack James Larkin Jones A Fine Gael County Councillor supports Chief Executive of the "low cost" airline was to Dublin in January of last year, to the development on the grounds that it was still making the creation of the 300 celebrate the centenary of the foundation will create "800 full time jobs, 700 jobs in Dublin conditional on occupation of my own Irish Union—the ITGWU, construction jobs and 1,500 support/part- of Hangar 6 which has an area of almost 4 now SIPTU—by Jack's fellow Liverpud- time jobs" (The Irish Times, 8.3.10). The times the size of Prestwick and which lian and namesake, Big Jim Larkin. councillor claims that this contrasts with under his original proposal could house Those who have viewed Memories of another development nearby which is 500 employees. Christoph Mueller, the a Future, the documentary on the IBMT's losing money. Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, also commemorative re-crossing of the Pyre- Did it not occur to the Fine Gael coun- pointed out that, not only was the area way nees in 2006, will have seen Jack's cillor that there might be a reason for the in excess of what Ryanair needed for 300 identification with Ireland's struggle for other nearby development not doing well? maintenance jobs, it was also far too high— independence further exemplified as he Jobs in retail can only be "created" at the which would result in excessive heating joined with my wife Annette in singing expense of other jobs. Retail by itself does bills. However, the height of the building Kevin Barry, a song that he himself had not create wealth in an economy. is necessary to maintain Aer Lingus's especially requested from her. Indeed, his The Long Fellow thinks that Minister A330s, which have a tail fin of twice the son Mick recalls from his childhood years for the Environment John Gormley is right height of Ryanair's Boeing 737s. how Jack used to sing Kevin Barry to both to intervene to prevent this retail madness. O'Leary claimed that the Dublin Airport Jack Jnr. and himself—as a lullaby! Authority was a "dishonest and corrupt" In Union Man Jack wrote of how the organisation and he hadn't been able to NATIONAL ANTHEM writings of James Connolly had been The Long Fellow is an admirer of Irish deal with it since 2006. But the Chief among the formative influences of his rugby star Trevor Brennan who made a Executive of this organisation, Declan youth. I also recall, when I brought both successful career for himself in France. Collier, denied this. His organisation had Mick and himself to visit Dublin's At the launch of his autobiography a negotiated directly with Ryanair last year Kilmainham Gaol in 2003, how moved couple of years ago he was asked by his in connection with other Hangars at the Jack was on coming to the exact spot in fellow Irish international, Peadar Clo- airport. The correspondence he had with that grim prison yard where the wounded hessy: "who had he got to write the book?" O'Leary would "fill the library of Cong- Connolly, strapped to a chair, had been To which Brennan replied: "who was he ress" and he had met him on a "formal executed by British imperialism after the (Clohessy) going to get to read the book?" basis" only two weeks previously. Easter Rising of 1916. (See In typically robust terms Brennan said www.atholbooks.org/connolly_america.pdf RYANAIR'S REAL MOTIVATION? what most Irish people were thinking after for Manus O'Riordan's "Connolly in So what is all this about? Last month our defeat at the hands of France in this America", first published by Athol Books the Long Fellow suggested two possible year's Six Nations: the policy of not playing in 1971). reasons for Ryanair's interest in Hangar 6: our national anthem at away games is "We are proud of the British Battalion", a)It wants to use it as a terminal putting our all Ireland rugby team at a is that line from The Valley Of Jarama (resulting in a loss of jobs elsewhere in severe disadvantage. With all due respect which we sing out with such justifiable the airport). to Phil Coulter, Ireland's Call cannot pride at the close of IBMT commemorative b)It has only recently been required to compete with the blood curdling call to ceremonies. Here today, in this Imperial pay full rent at its existing Head Office in arms of the Marseillaise. War Museum, it is important to recall that Dublin Airport and thinks it will obtain But it is said that if Amhrán na bhFiann the British Battalion also stood in the best more favourable terms for a Head Office were played, the small number of Ulster anti-imperialist traditions of the Labour 8 movement. On the eve of the 1938 battle Report: Book Launch by Professor Cathal MacSwiney Brugha, University College Dublin, of the Ebro, British and Irish International Wednesday, 10 March 2010 of The Unknown Commandant, The Life and Times of Denis Brigade volunteers—including IBMT Barry 1883–1923 by Denis Barry.(The Collins Press) members' relatives like Sam Wild (Battal- ion Commander), George Green (who would be killed in action), Frank West A Founder Of The State (who would be captured and imprisoned in San Pedro concentration camp), James A Árd Mhaora, Dara Ó Murchú, is a us a great service in his account of his Jump, John Langstaff, Edwin Greening, Cháirde Ghaeil, táimíd bailithe inniu chun uncle's story. He deserves our thanks. together with my own father Michael leabhair Donncha de Barra a sheoladh, As we get nearer to the hundredth O'Riordan and Jack Jones (both of whom agus chun onóir a thabhairt do a uncail anniversary of 1916 there is increasing would be wounded on Hill 481)—were Denis Barry. A Árd Mhaora, cuidíonn sé interest in understanding the events that particularly honoured to be associated with leis an aitheantas atá á thabhairt do Ceann led to our freedom, and the foundation of India's struggle for independence, as they Catha Denis Barry go bhfuil tú i lathair our political institutions. Because it very received a solidarity visit to that Ebro inniu, agus go bhfuil an leabhair seo á much characterises who we are as a nation front from the Indian National Congress lainseáil i Halla na Cathrach Corcaigh. amongst the nations of the world, it is leader, Pandit Nehru, accompanied by his Leanfaidh mé as Bearla ar eagla go understandable that this part of Irish history daughter, Indira—a future Prime Minister bhfuil daoine ag éisteacht nach dtuigeann should be analysed, discussed, reviewed, like her father. Ghaeluinn cé go raibh ár dteanga go reflected on, and celebrated. flúirseach ag na ceannairí a bhí páirteach However, writing history is difficult The British Battalion's anti-imperialism i Cogadh na Saoirse. because the people who do so, whether was even more strongly affirmed by its they are professional or amateur historians, adoption, as one of its marching anthems In The Unknown Commandant or writing family memoirs, bring their throughout the course of the Spanish Anti- Donncha de Barra has written an in- own personal and political biases to the fascist War, of James Connolly's own valuable book that anyone interested in task. Also, often it can be about resolving Rebel Song. At the IBMT Pyrenees com- how we won our freedom will want to differing personal accounts about events memoration ceremonies in the Figueras read. that happened very quickly and under fortress of Castell de Sant Ferran, there The Unknown Commandant is a great stress. were three International Brigade veterans compelling account of Commandant Denis As we all know, the Civil War over- present: the late Bob Doyle of Dublin and Barry's part in the foundation of the state. shadowed the War of Independence. Com- the late Jack Jones, a Liverpool Club Some of the Barry family are here at this rades became opponents, leaders died in supporter, accompanied by his lifelong launch in Cork City Hall. I hope that the suspicious circumstances, stories were told comrade and friend from youth— book will give them a sense that their about people that only partially reflected notwithstanding the fact that he's an relation is now being properly recognised the truth, and, in some cases, the stories Everton supporter!—this veteran whom, for the sacrifice he made to help give us weren't told at all. to the end of his days, Jack Jones both the freedom we enjoy today. There are so many unanswered ques- addressed and referred to as Young Jackie We are here this evening both to launch tions about this time, and so many stories Edwards, although his senior by only one an excellent book and to celebrate and yet unwritten. There is no authoritative year! . And in that Catalan fortress, on affirm the memory of many Irish heroes history of the Irish Republican Police, of Easter Sunday 2006, there could be heard, who remain 'unknown', other than in stories which Denis Barry was the first com- loud and clear, the voices of both of those of their families. History can be somewhat mandant in Cork. Liverpudlian brigadista Jacks, as they unfair, particularly because, over time, There isn't even an authoritative history heartily joined with me in singing this we tend to forget those who fell. of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) song by James Connolly: Denis Barry's remains lie alongside during that critical time after Dáil Éireann those of Tomás MacCurtain and Terence had instituted its own Government in Then we'll sing a rebel song MacSwiney in the Republican Plot in St. As we proudly march along Finbarr's Cemetery. to end the age-old tyranny But how many know anything about that makes for human tears. Denis Barry? And our march is nearer done with each setting of the sun In this book you will discover how and the tyrant's might is passing Denis Barry developed from being a top with the passing of the years! sports-man to a leader in the field of politics. (NB: See www.atholbooks.org/jackjones_ MI5.pdf for a dossier compiled by Manus It may be hard for today's generation to O'Riordan on the British intelligence smear understand how these men and women campaign against Jack Jones.) found the courage and conviction to go into conflict with the British Empire, even to understand why they did so. Athol Books Many stories still remain untold about (secure site) the War of Independence and beyond. The task remains to establish the truth in https://www.atholbooks- the next decade before a century has passed sales.org since these events, and the memories inherited in families throughout Ireland Commandant Denis Barry Subscribers are entitled to a 20% discount: have faded. With truth comes a renewal Brigade Staff—Cork No.1 Brigade, Óglaigh put "Subscriber" in the 'Anything to add' box of trust, reconciliation, and understanding, na hÉireann 1914 - 1922 and a legacy of national integrity for future And, Divisional Staff—3rd Eastern Brigade generations. Donncha de Barra has done Wexford, 1922 9 January 1919, when continuance of the Within the first month of the protest, 7,800 participated in Denis Barry's burial cere- IRB was such a 'bone of contention'. hunger strikers, either individually or in mony at the grave, with Annie reciting the groups, ended their fast. Two hundred Rosary in Irish, and Máire MacSwiney In this biography of his uncle, Denis continued. Denis acted consistently in TD delivering the oration. Barry has done a service to his name-sake, solidarity with his fellow prisoners by to his family, and to us, because this is a bravely continuing on the Hunger Strike. It seems to me that both Church and story that had not been told, and that State misused their power in the way that needed to be told. Prison conditions were poor, parti- they treated Commandant Denis Barry. cularly in the Internment Camp. Denis (Denny) Barry holds the title of On November 12th Denis Barry's health Denis Barry embodied the philosophy Commandant because he was one of the declined seriously. Unfortunately, the enunciated by Terence MacSwiney in officers on the Brigade Staff of the Cork Government refused requests to have him Chapter One of Principles Of Freedom: No.1 Brigade of Óglaigh na hÉireann and moved to hospital. Sadly, Denis Barry when he wrote: Commandant of the Republican Police in died on 20th November after 35 days on "a man of moral force is he who, seeing Cork during the War of Independence. hunger-strike. Two days later another a thing to be right and essential and This was a significant position because he hunger-striker, Andrew Sullivan, died in claiming his allegiance, stands for it as had to contend with the deterioration in Mountjoy Jail. for the truth, unheeding any con- the behaviour of the British forces in Cork It was a great shock and a tragedy that sequence…. It is a first principle of his, City, the Amy, Auxiliaries, Black-and- such a fit man as Denis would die at the that a true thing is a good thing, and from Tans, and the RIC. young age of 40, given that many have a good thing rightly pursued can follow Some things make this story special, or survived Hunger Strikes for much longer no bad consequence. And he faces every at least unusual. The first is why he should than 35 days. His death galvanised a possible development with conscience at be described as the "Unknown Com- three-way negotiation between leaders of rest--it may be with trepidation for his mandant". Until recently the Department the Church, the Free State and Repub- own courage in some great ordeal, but for of Defence had not formally recognised licans, leading to a settlement, and the the nobility of the cause and the beauty of Denis Barry's involvement in the War of calling off of the Hunger Strike the next the result that must ensue, always with Independence. day, 23rd November. Some of the remain- serene faith. And soon the trepidation for As Denis had died in 1923, he had not ing prisoners accepted conditional release himself passes, for a great cause always makes great men, and many who set out sought a Military Service Pension or a on pledging loyalty to the Free State. The in hesitation die heroes." Service Medal. Therefore there were no rest refused to pledge and spent another personal details of his participation in the year in detention. From where did Denis Barry get his War of Independence in official depar- It is fair to say that the death of someone sense of "moral force" from which he tmental records. Nonetheless, following as important as Denis Barry appears to derived the strength to take his stand for a request from his nephew, the Department have accentuated awareness of the the rights and well-being of his people carried out a search of its records and seriousness of this situation. through the War of Independence, and recently found sufficient evidence to It is quite likely that his death speeded ultimately to die in 1923 in conflict with justify the posthumous award of a (1917- up the negotiations and may have saved Church and State, while defending his 1921) Service Medal to Denis Barry. the lives of others: his last service to the fellow-prisoners? nation. MacSwiney answered this in Chapter Other reasons why he remained un- Nine of Principles Of Freedom: when known were because he moved to Kil- The final reason why this story was before 1916 he predicted the growth of: kenny in 1915, and so was not part of worth telling is to try to explain to future "a spirit of patriotism and a deep-lying much of the action in Cork, and because of generations—and indeed to today's—how basis of authority and justice that will the death of his Commanding Officers on such a significant person as Denis Barry give stability to the state and secure its the Cork No.1 Brigade staff, Lord Mayors could have been treated so badly at the end future against any upheaval that from the MacCurtain and MacSwiney who, under of his life, and after it? One part, which unrest of the time would seem to threaten normal circumstances, would have might seem explainable, is the behaviour the world". testified to his role. Great credit is due to the Free State Government which gave My sense of Denis Barry is that he the author for doing so much to ensure this the impression that making any allowance carried this "spirit of patriotism" and proper recognition for his uncle. would amount to giving the impression of "deep-lying basis of authority and justice" weakness, which might in turn lead to throughout his life, from the hurling field As a person Denis was significant and more Republican resistance. interesting in other ways. He was an to the streets of Cork as Head of the excellent hurler, particularly successful The other part was the refusal by the Republican Police to his untimely death. as a defender, and might nowadays have Bishop of Cork to allow Barry's remains been the holder of a hurling All-Star award. into any Church in the Cork diocese, nor I welcome this book, and wish that The story that emerges in this book is of a allow any priest to officiate at any religious others would follow the author's example, defender not just in sport, but of citizens as funeral ceremony for him. This takes a lot and help to contribute to a telling of the Head of the Republican Police in Cork, as more explaining, especially for young history of brave women and men like an active member of his Trade Union, but people nowadays. First one must under- Denis Barry. also in the role that led to his death. stand the power that Bishops had then over civil affairs, and consequently their When I think of the importance of In 1923 the leaders of the Republican belief that they should use this power establishing Denis Barry's memory I think movement demanded the immediate during political disputes. Bishop Daniel of the old Irish saying: "Is beó duine d'éis release of all political prisoners, and Coholan's actions contrast totally with his a anma, ach ní beó d'éis a einigh". proposed a Hunger Strike in protest against behaviour regarding MacSwiney, who had their unlawful imprisonment. Eight died on hunger-strike only three years Noble souls such as Denis Barry deserve thousand Republican prisoners responded earlier. to live forever in the memory of the nation. to the call. Denis was one of 1,700 who took part in this protest in the Internment It is a matter of pride for me that my two Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Camp in Newbridge, County Kildare. grand-aunts Mary and Annie MacSwiney 10 What McCormack wrote was con- Bill died in 2009. The following eulogy, delivered by James voluted and misleading. It left the reader Daly at his interment in Urris, Co. Donegal on 22nd January in the dark as to the actual position Gwynn Bill Sharkey 2009, has recently been passed on to this magazine had taken on the Diaries in his book. Bill Sharkey was a truly remarkable Bill had a great influence over me in and distinguished person, in spite of his teaching me to appreciate my Irish heritage The speaker referred to a large bundle genuine modesty and charm. I had the socially culturally and politically. In the of letters dating from the 1920s and 1930s privilege of being his friend ever since very English setting of the Cafe Royal in which went for auction at Soth- 1954, when we were both for a time Regent Street, London, at Miriam's and eby's,London on 17th December 2008. It students for the priesthood in Maynooth. my wedding reception, at which Muriel would appear from the details provided by In London in the 1960s, my wife Miriam was matron of honour, he sang a Gaelic the auctioneer that they had belonged to and I had a close friendship with Bill, song in the sean-nos, startling our English the Parry Family, the descendents of Muriel, Keith and Sarah, and Frank guests. Casement's cousin Gertrude Bannister. Tormey. We kept up a warm friendship He also helped to steer me gently in the The collection was titled "Lot 7 - Case- over the years, and I cherish a glowing ment, Roger - A collection relating to his memory of recently being Bill's guest at direction of his own deep conviction of the need for egalitarian, mutually caring diplomatic career and posthumous Carrowmeenagh, and my son Donal and I reputation". It included 36 letters related had been before, and of being driven economic relations between all human beings. As Sarah reminded me yesterday, to the threatened publication of the Diaries around spots of beauty and historic interest in 1925 by Peter Singleton-Gates. All in in Bill's beloved Donegal. he used to argue that there was no con- nection between Darwin's theories and all the bundle came to 170 pages. It would have been a surprise in anyone the conclusion wrongly drawn from them else, but not in Bill, that in what turned out by right wingers that progress is due to The letters were bought by a person or to be the last year of his life he decided to competition—and he would point out that persons unknown, at a price well in excess undertake a Masters in Celtic Studies, at cooperation was much more conducive to of the auctioneer's estimate. Where which he was achieving great success. survival and development. Politics such material of such great historical interest is The Gaelic language had been always the as Bill's are more necessary—and just bought at auction, the purchaser will love of his life. He spoke Gaelic fluently perhaps more feasible—now than at any usually make themselves known to and had an interest in Old Irish, and its time. researchers. However, in this instance, all relation to Bardic poetry. If he had done efforts to contact the purchaser via Soth- something like that years before he would My life has been enriched by Bill's eby's proved fruitless. Documents which have left a great legacy in Irish studies. friendship, kindness, sensitivity, forbear- can cast light on the Diaries controversy ingness, loyalty and humour. Of him it is have sadly disappeared as soon as they He had an abiding interest in the concept really true: became available. It was a bizarre turn, of an Encyclopaedia Gadelica. He was but, for those acquainted with the twists disgusted that an independent Irish Ni fheicidh muid a leithid ariamh. and turns of this longstanding controversy, Government had not undertaken to sponsor not wholly unexpected. such a project. We shall not see his like again. *

There was a day-long Conference on Report of Lecture by Tim O'Sullivan at the Casement Symposium (Dublin, November 2009), along Casement in Tralee on 3rd August 2009. with remarks on The Roger Casement Gathering (Tralee, 3rd August 2009) The keynote speaker was Martin Mansergh TD. The speech covered many matters, among them the question of the Diaries. Casement Events Mansergh referred to the "pornographic Regarding the Giles Report published in 2002 on its own, and in 2005 as part of a diaries" and how he retained "an open sequence of essays and papers published scandalous diaries" claims McCormack. mind" as regards possible forgery. Regard- by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) under ing the "white" and "black" Diaries for the title Roger Casement In Irish And Referring to what Gwynn had to say on 1910 there was "an extraordinary contrast World History, there is a choice irony. The the matter he wrote (page 26): "It passed of tone". In one account Casement was Giles Report claimed the forensic tech- over the issue of forgery with what now "high-minded and idealistic", in the other nique of Ramon Spectroscopy would not seems remarkable insouciance", i.e. lack "cynical and contemptuous of other human be appropriate for use on the Diaries owing of care. beings". to it being a "destructive" technique. With- But what Gwynn actually wrote in in a few months after publication by the 1930 was: He had read all (Government) files on RIA, this technique would be happily "but that it was Casement's own diary the matter from the 30s, 40s, 50s and employed by Trinity College on The Book is at least doubtful. Those who spent 60s. He was struck by the defensive of Kells on account of its non-destructiveness. months in terms of closest intimacy with reaction whenever the matter was raised. him are utterly incredulous concerning For instance there was Frank McDermott, The organizer of the investigation and it; and two of his closest friends have a devoted writer of letters to newspapers report by Dr. Giles, one Dr. W.J. Mc special grounds for refusing to believe on the subject, who was in the UK during Cormack, wrote a book, Roger Casement that it was what it was purported to be" the War and apparently worked for British In Death (2002). As well as touting his (p18). Intelligence. What happened, in the end, "forensic test", the book made claims regarding an investigation (the Giles framed in elaborately obtuse language. In Gwynn went on to advance more Report) was "a limited piece of private the Introduction, Casement's first arguments for his scepticism that the enterprise carried out with extraordinary biographer Denis Gwynn is mentioned. Diaries were actually Casement's— defensiveness". "Since the days of Denis Gwynn (who was Diaries, the existence of which at that time Tim O'Sullivan discrete though undeceived), Casement's was neither officially confirmed nor denied biographers have broadly accepted the by the authorities. implications of truth behind the stories of 11 both Betjeman and Mansergh were here engaged in was a very determined espion- age project, undertaken on behalf of the The Spy Who Grew Up With The Bold: British Empire itself, and for it alone. There was no question of sharing such the Irish Republican education of Sir John Betjeman information with the Government of their 'friendly neighbour', the Irish State. Quite PART TWO the contrary. This was British subversive In Part One (March Irish Political Review) there was all that bother, came to me activity being carried on behind the back I referred to an Easter 2000 Channel 4 TV today and read to me the re-written section of the de Valera Government. This was a documentary on John Betjeman which about the Ministry of Information. This clandestine action that sought to explore quoted, as an example of his wartime struck me as wholly satisfactory … An the possibility of opening up a direct British spying activities in Ireland, his simplistic additional chapter is being provided by Government line of communication to Musgrove on the present state of the IRA. and puerile 'analysis' of the IRA as an one wing of the self same IRA that the organisation divided into "Republicans, In it he confirms what we know already— that the organisation is split into three Irish Government had deemed it approp- place hunters and gun maniacs, Nazis, riate to intern without trial as a potential anti-Christian and pro-Hitler". But a factions. At the Curragh, he says, there are 400 altogether, of whom 140 are threat to Ireland's own wartime security. closer look at the TV screen told a different violently anti-Fascist, 40 are neutral and story. As an actor's voice declaimed these the remainder Nazi. On May Day this It does not, however, appear that words, their source in the original docu- year the anti-Fascist section of the IRA in Betjeman ever succeeded in following up mentation appeared on screen, to be briefly the Curragh published a manifesto this vitally important Intelligence report followed by a second document. In the appealing to the revolutionary spirit of with an actual copy of the 1942 May Day blink of an eyelid, however, one had only Irishmen to attack Fascism and Nazism. Manifesto itself. It had only ever existed the time to absorb the capital-lettered It was 600 words long and was signed by in hand-written form. Even its last words of Fascism and Nazism, with their some well-known IRA names. Musgrove surviving co-author, my late father Mich- subliminal appearance of hammering is anxious to get this published, and so is eál O'Riordan (1917-2006), no longer pos- home the message of the spoken word all the IRA, and for once I think we can find sessed an original copy after the War. But the more forcefully. But, by freezing the ourselves in agreement. In ten days Mus- what he still had in his possession was a frame on a video recording of the grove hopes to let me have a copy of this, copy of that same manifesto reproduced a programme, the picture that emerged was and when I get it I will send it over to you. year later in May 1943 in the hand-written the very opposite of the story being It seems to me an obvious bit of work for publication of the anti-Fascist internees, narrated —Fascism and Nazism only those people we mentioned when I was An Splannc. It was for this reason that the appeared on this second document in the over last. Channel 4 documentary team interviewed context of pointing out that such ideologies Yours affectionately, J. Betjeman." Micheál O'Riordan in his home on 31st were meeting with the violent opposition This was an example of British Intel- January 2000 and excitedly filmed the of 35 percent of the IRA! ligence operating at its efficient and effect- text of the 1942 manifesto alongside Betjeman's Intelligence report thereon. This was the superb example of Betje- ive best. Freeing himself from the But, when it came to the crunch, they man espionage which the Channel 4 simplistic British propaganda that the IRA failed to include that sequence when the documentary ultimately chose to avoid was just a gang of Nazis, and the blinkered programme was finally screened on the mentioning, despite the enthusiasm that regurgitation of such propaganda which following Easter Sunday. the programme-makers had earlier dis- he himself had earlier served up as 'intel- played when filming that report in the ligence', Betjeman was now proceeding But who was this Musgrove recruited home of one of the objects of such spying to develop a sophisticated dissection and by Betjeman to supply him with such activities. In spite of the extremely sophisti- differentiation of the variety of opinion to intelligence on the Irish Republican cated understanding which this Betjeman be found within the IRA, much as Elizabeth movement? I had indeed heard of a P.J. document revealed concerning the Bowen had done in respect of Fine Gael. Musgrove as Editor of a controversial complexities of Irish Republican politics, It was not, of course, totally sophisticated. edition of Connolly's writings on the First when it came to the crunch, Channel 4 The pro-Nazi faction of the IRA repres- World War which had been published in fought shy of challenging the prejudices ented but a small minority among those the second year of the Second World War. of both British and Irish salon society 220 who were pro-German: the majority But the only personal reference to him I alike with a presentation of such an of them would have been pro-German had ever previously heard was a mention example of unequivocal Republican anti- only for very traditional separatist reasons, by veteran Socialist John de Courcy Ireland Fascism. And so, when it came to the invoking the argument of "England's (1911-2006) that Musgrove had been a actual transmission of that programme on difficulty is Ireland's opportunity". Nor close personal friend of his in the Northern 23rd April 2000, a stage-Irish presentation did it follow that all the 140 Republican Ireland of the late 1930s. of Republicanism was the soft option internees who were violently anti-Fascist preferred. would be fully supportive of the Allied John Ireland had at that time been a War effort. Betjeman's report was a snap- member of the Executive of the Northern And what might that effectively silenc- shot view of how the debate among IRA Ireland Labour Party, but was destined to ed intelligence document have revealed to prisoners stood in the period from May to be expelled from that Party in February both British and Irish audiences? Marked July 1942—a debate whose dynamics 1941 because of his anti-Partitionist views. "Secret" and dated 29th July 1942, it was could not, however, be frozen into a single He had also been an employee of the addressed to Dr. P.N.S. Mansergh— frame. But even the differentiation of British Naval Base in Derry, where he was otherwise Nicholas Mansergh of His opinion which Betjeman sought to present sacked in October 1941 for organising Majesty's Empire Division—with a "copy was itself indicative of a dynamic process that base's mainly-Donegal labourers into to Mr. Pugh", and with the following within Irish Republicanism which the the ATGWU in order to fight for better nuggets of subversive information and formulators of Britain's wartime strategic conditions. advice: options were now able to take account of In early 1942 de Courcy Ireland took "My dear Doctor {Mansergh}, in an informed manner. up a teaching post in Dublin and joined the Musgrove, about whose manuscript There can be no question but that what Central Branch of the Irish Labour Party. 12 He became Secretary of the Party's Dublin go missing at that stage. exposed are with us today in the midst of Executive at a time when Labour was to But there was another memory prompt- the second Imperialist World War. It is become the largest Party on Dublin City ed in my father's mind by the Musgrove hoped that the lessons from Connolly's Council in the municipal Elections of revelation. Shortly after the death in 1961 writings may play a part in removing August 1942. John Ireland, as his Director of Seán Murray, General Secretary of the their causes ... Connolly's articles in this of Elections, would also be responsible Communist Party of Ireland from its book made clear his attitude to war. for organising Big Jim Larkin's successful foundation in 1933 until the early War Although revolted by the physical barbar- return to Dáil Éireann in the General years, and thereafter Party President, Nolan ities of warfare, he did not hesitate to lead Election of June 1943. mentioned in passing to O'Riordan that at his Citizen Army into action when the moment came to strike. While 'the war of some stage during those War years Betje- nation against nation in the interest of After my father had told me of his man had expressed a wish to meet Murray. royal freebooters and cosmopolitan January 2000 interview with Channel 4, This now, in a conversation with me on thieves is a thing accursed', he realised and following the subsequent decision to 29th August 2000, caused my father to that the struggle of exploited nations and edit out both that interview and its subject speculate that it might have been Musgrove classes for freedom is 'holy and matter from the programme that was who would also have engineered—or tried righteous'… " actually transmitted that Easter Sunday, I to engineer—such a meeting. tried, not wholly successfully, to get to the In a second interview with me—on bottom of the Mansergh/Betjeman/ It was through the militant anti-Fascist 23rd August 2000—John de Courcy Musgrove story. But an interview which I campaigns of the 1930s that John Ireland Ireland was to describe Musgrove as one had with the late John de Courcy Ireland— had first met Musgrove. In 1938 de Courcy of the best-informed analysts of inter- on 26th May 2000—did, at least, solve Ireland had been appointed organiser for national politics in the inter-war years that part of the mystery. both parts of Ireland (as well as for the he had ever come across. Why, then, would When the Musgrove-Betjeman North West of England) of the China Musgrove not have accepted at face value Intelligence Report on IRA anti-Fascism Relief Campaign being mounted in support the view, held by some others in the British was brought to his attention, and he was of that country's anti-Fascist War of Labour movement, that the May 1940 asked could this Musgrove have been P.J. Liberation against Japan. It was the Belfast replacement of Chamberlain by Churchill Musgrove, de Courcy Ireland's initial Communist propagandist, P.J. Musgrove, as British Prime Minister meant that reaction was shock that a former friend who proved to be of the greatest practical Britain might thenceforth pursue that could have been a British Intelligence assistance to John Ireland in that campaign. Second War with Germany as an anti- agent. But then other memories began to And this was on top of Musgrove's energies Fascist one? Because, having himself been make sense to him. John Ireland recalled being already fully stretched by his own such a determined anti-Fascist activist that, in the Summer of 1942, Musgrove campaign work on behalf of the Spanish throughout the 1930s, Musgrove would had come down on a visit from Belfast to Republic during the course of that parti- have taken note of the fact that Churchill's ask if he would like to meet Betjeman. cular country's Anti-Fascist War. Indeed track record had been the exact opposite. Musgrove again came down a few weeks it was Musgrove who in 1938 had organ- In 1919 Churchill had been the chief later for the meeting itself, of which de ised the highly successful Concert appear- British Government supporter of Denikin's Courcy Ireland remembered little, except ance of the great African-American singer White Army during the War of Interven- that it would have been a frank exchange Paul Robeson as a Belfast fund-raiser for tion to overthrow the Russian Revolution. of views between Betjeman and himself the Spanish Republic. That October 7th, coming to the conclusion as to the progress of the War and how Irish Neither the Communist Party of Ireland that Denikin's White Terror was getting public opinion was responding to it. nor the Communist Party of Great Britain out of hand, Britain's then Prime Minister, John Ireland also recalled that he would regarded the initial phase of the Second Lloyd George, raised with Churchill his already have been made aware of the World War as an anti-Fascist one. Rather concerns about the "treatment of the Jews Republican manifesto of May Day 1942 they viewed it as an inter-imperialist War by your friends". To this Churchill offered by Seán Nolan, the leading Communist between Britain and Germany. And a fore- the following excuse on October 10th: activist in Dublin, and now a fellow most propagandist for that viewpoint was "There is very bitter feeling throughout member of Ireland's in the Central Branch none other than P.J. Musgrove who, in Russia against the Jews, who are regarded of the Labour Party. He also thought it January 1941, edited and introduced a as being the main instigators of the ruin of possible that Musgrove might have learned selection of James Connolly's writing for the Empire". of that Manifesto from him, and that this the British Communist Party's publishers, Even though in that one year of 1919 is what inspired Betjeman's hope that Lawrence and Wishart, under the title of A more than 100,000 Jews were to be Musgrove might be able to get hold of an Socialist and War 1914-1916. In noting murdered by Denikin and his associates, actual copy for forwarding to Mansergh. that "it is most significant that not even the anti-Semitism was to continue as a central But this was a forlorn hope, as de Courcy 'imperialistic' Labour Party in Northern plank in Churchill's anti-Soviet platform. Ireland recalled that Nolan merely Ireland or the avowedly Fascist O'Duffy In the Sunday Herald of 8th February informed him of the Manifesto's existence dare openly attack Connolly's memory", 1920 Churchill denounced the Soviet but never actually showed him a copy. Musgrove went on to adopt the principle Union as "a world wide communistic state of the famous banner that Connolly had under Jewish domination" and at a public Seán Nolan was such a cautious indivi- hung outside Liberty Hall—"We serve meeting in Sunderland he went on to whip dual, and highly suspicious of the possible neither King nor Kaiser, but Ireland". He up his audience against "the international intrigues of all others, that it was highly added: Soviet of the Russian and Polish Jew" unlikely, in any case, he would ever have "It is impossible to conclude this (See Churchill And The Soviet Union by given Ireland a copy, even if he himself introduction without comment on the David Carlton, 2000). possessed the Manifesto. But my father freshness, and indeed topicality, at the was also of the opinion that Nolan did not present moment, of these writings which It would not take many years for in fact have a copy. Having been painstak- were first published a quarter of a century Churchill to also become explicitly pro- ingly hand-written, each copy had been ago. Connolly revealed and struggled Fascist. Mussolini's Italian Fascists intended to be passed around and shared against the impositions of the ruling class became his great heroes. At a press among large groups of IRA prisoners, so during the first Great War, as we must do conference in Rome he told the Italian it was highly unlikely that any copy could today … These injustices which Connolly regime that he wanted to "say a word on 13 an international aspect of Fascism", that Musgrove only viewed Churchill as having criticism of Republican policy … wants "externally, your movement has rendered joined the ranks of anti-Fascist struggle no truck with Fascism or Nazism … (but) a service to the whole world" by providing after his statement of 22nd June 1941 that he supports the idea of aid from Germany. "the necessary antidote to the Russian he would now support the defence of the I wonder has he thought out the poison". Three weeks after Fascist Italy's Soviet Union against Nazi invasion, with implications of such a course? Does he invasion of Abyssinia, Churchill main- the objective of destroying the Nazi regime not see that this will inevitably mean tained in the House of Commons on 24th itself. A man of extremes, Musgrove now Ireland being turned into a battle field for October 1935 that "no one can keep up the somersaulted from the role of anti-British two contending imperialist powers?" pretence that Abyssinia is a fit, worthy propagandist to become a British Intel- (Irish Worker's Weekly, August 31, 1940) and equal member of a league of civilised ligence operative. nations". October 10th, 1937 saw him tell This polemic mirrored the conflict the News of the World that "it would be For other Irish anti-Fascists it was the going on among IRA internees themselves dangerous folly for the British people to emergence of Resistance movements —the very issue that would become the underrate the enduring position in world- across the Nazi-occupied countries of subject matter of the British intelligence history which Mussolini will hold, or the Europe that had begun to change the report of Musgrove and Betjeman to amazing qualities of courage, comprehen- character of the War into an anti-Fascist Mansergh. sion, self-control and perseverance which one some months before Hitler's invasion Manus O'Riordan he exemplifies" (See Churchill by Clive of the Soviet Union. This was the position (to be continued) Ponting, 1994). of Michael Lehane, three times a volunteer in the Spanish Anti-Fascist War of 1936– And what of the Fascist aggression in 1939, and as many times wounded. As he Barack Hussein the two countries whose solidarity cam- wrote to his now-interned comrade-in- Obama And The IRA paigns Musgrove had been most concerned arms of the Spanish War, Micheál O' with—China and Spain? In an address to Riordan, he was convinced that Hitler had One 'most read' item on The the Anti-Socialist and Anti-Communist to be stopped. Since he could never put on Guardian's website (week commencing Union on 17th February 1933, Churchill the uniform of British Imperialism, how- Monday 23 November 2009) was on had not only applauded Japan's previous ever, he would serve in the Norwegian page 20 of the same day's 'hard copy'. occupation of the Chinese province of Merchant Navy. And it was as such an "The former British police officer who Manchuria, but called for support for anti-Imperialist anti-Fascist that Lehane wants to bring down Obama", is a Japanese lebensraum and the impending gave his life when torpedoed by a Nazi 'Birther'. These insist Obama is not of extension of its aggressive war against submarine on March 11, 1943. (See http:/ American birth, and thereby, is barred China. /homepage.eircom.net/~sosul/ from being President. The fact that the Referring to what he called "the chaos page107.html for "The War Hero From rule is rubbish is not at issue in this of China, four or five provinces of which Morley's Bridge" by Manus O'Riordan, environment. Nor is the fact that the are now being tortured under Communist Ballingeary History Society Journal, accusation is inaccurate. The cop in rule", Churchill expressed the hope that 1999). question, Neil Sankey, implies, in Ed "we shall try in England to understand a Pilkington's article, that he is not at the During the earlier phoney-war period little the position of Japan, an ancient crazed end of the anti-Obama movement. Irish anti-Fascists had been no less intent He then effectively claims Obama is a state with the highest state sense of national on confronting those Republicans who honour and patriotism and with a teeming Marxist. were now arguing that "England's diffi- population and remarkable energy". Sankey is a former member of "some culty is Ireland's opportunity" and that of the most elite police units in Britain". As for Franco's Fascist revolt against "German aid" would be the answer to the democratically-elected Government His area of expertise was on the relations their prayers. Some historians have, how- of the Spanish Republic, a revolt heavily between the IRA and "leftwing political ever, embellished the yarn that the IRA groups". The 'Official' IRA had contacts supported by the military might of Fascist was unreservedly pro-Nazi during the Italy and Nazi Germany, Churchill wrote with the mainstream 'Left' in Great Second World War by also charging that Britain, which was too respectable to to his wife from across the border in Irish Communists had been similarly France on 5th September 1936: engage in "revolutionary criminality". implicated and tainted in 1940. For exam- However, the Provisionals' attitude "I am thankful the Spanish Nationalists ple, Mike Millotte wrote: "Betty Sinclair to the Left in Britain was that they (Franco) are making progress. They are and Billy McCullough were jailed (in provided bodies, banners and slogans the only ones who have the power of Belfast) … for publishing an article by attack. The others can only die sitting. for demonstrations. They came to fund- Belfast IRA man Jack Brady which Horrible! But better for the safety of all if raisers. They wrote to the papers (and in the Communists are crushed… Tender advocated 'enlisting foreign aid for our their own papers) what Sinn Féin love, my sweet Clemmie" (See Speaking cause', taken by the courts to imply Nazi suggested. The Republican Movement for Themselves—The Personal Letters of aid (Red Hand, August 24, 1940)…" didn't care what these groups thought Winston and Clementine Churchill, edited (Communism in Modern Ireland by Mike about its strategy or tactics. When some by their daughter Mary Soames, 1998). Millotte, 1984) What Millotte omitted to decided to play with guns, they were mention, however, was the fact that the dropped, on the instant. The Provis Furthermore, in a debate on the Spanish article by Brady (Seán Mac Brádaigh) had knew that the self-conscious 'British Left' War in the House of Commons on April been published by both the Red Hand in ought not to be allowed out without at 14, 1937, Churchill nailed his colours to Belfast and the Irish Workers' Weekly in least one minder. the mast when he declared: "I will not Dublin for one purpose only. This was to Five minutes' analysis would have pretend that if I had to choose between give CPI General Secretary Seán Murray demonstrated the above to a ten year old. Communism and Nazism I would choose the opportunity to write a further article in Mr Sankey is now a Private Eye in Communism". So it was that in each of direct opposition to Mac Brádaigh's line California. Presumably he kept busy, in the wars that were raging across three of reasoning, with a banner heading expres- the 1970s, by forcing himself to take the continents during the 1930s, Churchill sing incredulity at the very thought of drivel in the British Left press seriously. had opted to support the Fascist side. "Freedom With German Aid?" Murray Or he was genuinely deluded. argued: Seán McGouran A long-standing anti-Fascist like "Seán Mac Brádaigh in his reply to my 14 "Controversy has raged since over population had an Irish influence via D whether a false surrender by the British William Penn. force caused the brutality of some of the N deaths." (It is interesting that de Valera was B suppportive of this process, and took an This is plain wrong. It's a glugger. interest in Berkeley's Querist as a source Blues There was no controversy or doubt about of development economics ideas; he the 'false surrender' for about 80 years for attended the Berkeley centenary event in the very good reason that all concerned 1953 at which my father gave the keynote accepted that it happened. And the first paper; this is on record in the hypertext Tom Barry people to do so were the British! support system of my Century book, as Before Barry ever put pen to paper outlined below; the print reference is J. Tom Barry has been in the forefront of about the issue, Lloyd George's special, Johnston, Hermathena LXXXII p76, 1953, a debate on the War of Independence for and very perceptive, advisor Lionel Curtis Berkeley's Influence as an Economist. It is over a decade, largely because of what confirmed it at the time. So did General also perhaps worth noting that de Valera, Professor Peter Hart said about him in his Crozier, O/C of the defeated Auxiliaries— with his background in mathematics, took much acclaimed 'classic' on the War of and if anyone was in a position to know he an interest in all events relating to Hamil- Independence in West Cork published in was. So did all sides of the Republican ton, as well as acting politically to set up 1998. This was a most derogatory portrayal division over the Treaty—Beaslai, O' the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, of Barry, with the main point being that he Malley and McCann. So did participants as a haven for anti-Fascist scientific refug- invented a 'false surrender' by the enemy Stephen O'Neill in The Kerryman in the ees including Schroedinger, Lanczos, at the Kilmichael Ambush with the object 1930s and Jack Hennessey in the Bureau Heitler et al. In this context his opposition of justifying the wiping out of the Auxiliar- of Military History. to the Fethard-on-Sea boycott was not ies he had attacked. Hart was considered Other participants also confirmed it unexpected. The inclusive secular nation the authority on the subject of Barry by all when they took the trouble to write or talk was there in embryo.) the usual suspects for years. This was so, about it, but of course they did not keep This inclusive nation-building process despite the fact that Hart's 'evidence' came rabbitting on about it for the same reason was however subverted by the success of from, inter alia, interviews with the dead that every time they said 'good morning ' the British (ie English-imperial) response, and blatant abuse of sources. Barry and or 'good night' they did not feel a need to which encouraged religious divisions Hart were like Siamese twins among our explain the fact that the earth had gone under the Act of Union situation. They academic historians, reviewers in the Irish around the sun in the previous 24 hours. If founded Maynooth College, staffed Times and in other similar stables. And, as they had acted otherwise one would be initially by French emigre priests, in 1793, Hart's standing went up, Barry's went entitled to suspect that they did protest too long before there was Catholic Emanci- down. much. pation, laying the right-wing ideological But lo and behold! In the Dictionary Of So the DIB could mean RIP for basis for the character of Catholicism Irish Biography entry on Barry, by Michael Professor Hart. The mountain may not which emerged in the 19th century, and its Hopkinson, Hart is not mentioned and his have laboured in vain and inadvertently pathological 'Catholic nation' concept. (in)famous book is not even included in brought forth at least one useful little While this process was going on, there the bibliography! Neither is Meda Ryan's mouse. It's nice to be able to conclude on were Protestant-rooted initiatives to rescue thorough refutation of him. The biblio- a positive note! the Irish language, and make it the basis graphy reads a bit like Hamlet without the Jack Lane. for an inclusive national identity; for Prince with these missing. Hart is now example I am thinking of Mac Adamh, clearly bad news for his former admirers who ended up in the Royal Irish Academy and perhaps even for his mentor, Professor Religion and editing the Irish Dictionary; his back- Fitzpatrick. Hart is not bad news because ground was Presbyterian, and he was an of what he said but because he was caught Nationality innovative engineer, with his water-turbine out. I feel I must thank Wilson John Haire powering the Ulster mills. He tried to ambush Barry's reputation for his comments, in the March issue, on The inclusive secular nation concept and that of the Boys of Kilmichael but this my February article. He suggests some persisted throughout the 19th century, not provoked a spontaneous mini guerrilla interesting trails to follow: colonisation, only in the Home Rule political leadership war-type response, waged by all sorts— intermarriage, Greaves and the Connolly but also in the Fenian. However the ranging from devout monks to devoted Association, Marxism and its West Catholic-nationalist ideology was indeed communists (and every political tendency European evolution, etc. lurking threateningly on the Right. In the in between)—that slowly but surely 20th century there remained Protestant discredited him. His erstwhile supporters Let me try to respond with an integrated support for all-Ireland Home Rule; my have crept away and left him to his fate. approach based on the expansion of my father, Joe Johnston, wrote his Civil War But they are like people who live off the thesis that the Irish nation in the full sense In Ulster book in 1913 in an effort to resist proceeds of a crime while disowning the does not exist, yet. It was beginning to the process that led to the April 1914 criminal. These people would probably exist in embryo by a process of evolution Larne gun-running and the Tory-Orange style themselves rather grandly as 'post- of the colonial nation, which spawned coup. (UCD Press re-issued this in 1998 revisionists', but there are much more Swift, Berkeley, Molyneux, Dobbs, Prior with my introduction). appropriate names for them. But for and others who prepared the ground in Professor Hart, though the wheels of justice Ireland, at the English imperial fringe, for My father made his career via TCD in ground slowly, they did grind exceedingly the analogue of the subsequent American the Free State; in 1917 he was active fine! and French processes. Wolfe Tone tried to against the Partition threat via the Conven- Hopkinson tries to keep Hart's argument build on these, with the colonial nation tion, and subsequently he did his best to alive but is just a little more coy about it. embracing the native population (itself a keep Horace Plunkett's co-operative After describing the Kilmichael Ambush, mongrel mix of earlier colonialisms). Note movement all-Ireland; in the 20s and 30s like the cuckoo, he lays the following egg that the (failed) American attempt to build he succeeded in keeping some areas of in the nest built by Hart: a colonial nation embracing the native intellectual life all-Ireland (eg the SSISI, 15 later in 1938 the Irish Association), though develop renewable energy systems and Labour, Green and the various disparate in the partitioned Orange-dominated and decouple food production from fossil Marxist political traditions, and in broad- Catholic-dominated environments these fuels), but also interesting culturally, in a based organisations having all-Ireland tended to be sidelined. context where the RC Church is visibly in memberships (of which there are many). I serious decline as a consequence of call this the 'Left-Green Convergence' Attempts in the Marxist tradition to decades of covered-up child-abuse, both movement. I would be interested in address the nation-building process were individual sexual and violent institutional. discussing this in more depth with WJH, always all-Ireland. In our student-Left and anyone else interested, including IPR epoch in the late 1940s we tried to pick up The resulting process, if it is allowed to supporters. By 'neo-Marxist' I mean back echoes from the Republican Congress develop, could have useful repercussions to basic Marx, before the Stalin overlay episode; the CPI had foundered in 1941 in the context of the Israel-Palestine corrupted it to Party-owned State mono- on the neutrality issue, but we had a hand problem, which to my mind can only be poly capitalism. Bellamy Foster, who edits in establishing the Workers' League in resolved on the basis of a unified secular the New York Monthly Review, has some 1948, and in this there was a significant 'Palestein'. There is no way in which neigh- useful insights into Marxist environment- input from Dublin artisans of the Protestant bouring religious-dominated States with alism via his analysis of the Marx-Liebig tradition, whose background must have overlapping populations can thrive, each interactions in the 1850s, on soil erosion been rooted in the emergent 18th century having threatened minorities of second- and the fertiliser problem. colonial nation, whose Dublin Protestant class citizens. There are many interesting trails to artisans were an earlier spin-off from Returning to the Irish context, I can see follow, and I am open to contacts. Lilburne's English Republic of Cromwell's potential for some serious critical analysis Roy Johnston 16.03.2010 time. (I don't give Cromwell credit for the of the overall scene by neo-Marxist (For 'Century of Endeavour' see http://www.iol.ie/ English Republic; he subverted it in proto- scholarship with roots in the Republican, ~rjtechne/blurb.htm) Stalinist mode). The Workers' League set out immediately to re-establish relations Report with the CPNI, but ran into all sorts of ideological barriers rooted in the way Gallipoli Cost Us More Than Soldiers Trade Union elitism that had evolved under The Irish Examiner of 23rd March published a half-page feature article by Dr. Pat Walsh religious influence. In this environment on Gallipoli. It is reproduced below we encountered and interacted with As President Mary McAleese prepares to with Russia. For the preceding century, Desmond Greaves. commemorate the Irish who died during the I share Wilson's feel for the need of a brutal Gallipoli campaign, Dr Patrick Walsh Britain had done all in its power to deny critical evaluation of the Greaves legacy. says it is time to reflect on the full significance Constantinople (Istanbul) to Russia, inc- While the Greaves contribution to the of this terrible and costly battle luding waging a war against it in Crimea. Marxist analysis of the Irish national President Mary McAleese will deliver But, following its 1904 Entente with question is undeniable, he underestimated a speech tomorrow at the site of the famous France, British strategy had changed to seriously the need for critical evaluation 1915 Battle of Gallipoli at which nearly one of preparing to engage the new 'threat', of the role of the RC Church, and the 4,000 Irishmen were killed. Germany, in a war on two fronts, a strategy nature of the Protestant distrust of it, and She will speak of Irish nationalists and in which the Russian 'steamroller' was the related Catholic character of the Free unionists who fought and died side by side key. State Government as it had evolved. He in a campaign which left over 150,000 Russia's price for the alliance was never understood the importance of the allied service men and an estimated 80,000 Constantinople and war with Turkey. Contraception and Divorce issues, and of the Ottoman force dead. But Britain had its own imperial designs avoided discussing them in the Irish But while commemorating all those on the Ottoman Empire, and aimed to Democrat. He was however beginning, at brave men, how many will realise or acquire some of the spoils from its destruct- the end of his days, to come around to a question the cause for which they fought ion, notably Palestine and Mesopotamia, critical assessment of the role of the USSR, or the consequences at the time for Ireland to secure the Suez Canal and the 'Road to and took a tentative positive view of what itself? India'. Gorbachev tried to do. His Marxism Great numbers of Irishmen who respond- managed latterly to avoid any trace of ed to the call to fight 'Prussianism', and Ireland's participation in the 1915 Stalinist overlay, though in the 1940s, particularly to aid 'gallant little Belgium', attempted invasion of Turkey proper at when he interacted with us as the student found themselves instead shipped out to Gallipoli was regarded at the time as the Left, he had tended to be uncritical of the the Middle East to participate in the des- price for Home Rule. (Stalinist) Lysenko process when we truction of the Ottoman Empire, the conse- The Irish Home Rule leader, John Red- discussed science. quences of which still reverberate through mond, was an enthusiastic supporter of I have edited most of the Irish-related the chaos of the Middle East today. the war against Germany but was in no position to object to this being extended to sections of the Greaves diaries into the The British invasion of 1914 brought Turkey. hypertext support system of my Century Turkey into the war much against its will. To have done so would have seriously Of Endeavour book; this system I make As Lord Kinross has shown in his book disadvantaged him in his competition of available to readers who contact me via The Ottoman Centuries, the Turkish loyalty with the Ulster Unionists regarding my reference on page 1 of the book to my Government had made numerous attempts the British state. e-mail address. (Researchers have found to establish a defensive alliance with Redmond's followers—unlike the US this useful, as the many footnotes are Britain and France. which when it entered the war on Germany hotlinked into the hypertext support from Rebuffed by Britain, it then attempted in 1917 did not join in Britain's war on the e-version of the book, to which I can to remain neutral. Turkey—had to accept whatever enemy give a URL on request.) When an obscure incident in the Black the British Empire chose to take on. The current problem is of course how Sea led to a Russian declaration of war on to sell the idea to the Ulster Protestants Turkey on November 5, Britain too The failure of the British Gallipoli that joining a new phase of the nation- declared war and launched an immediate expedition seriously damaged the pros- building process could be not only good attack on Ottoman territory. pects for Irish Home Rule. business (in the context of the need to Britain was acting on its 1907 alliance The successful Turkish resistance 16 lengthened the war, which the Home Rule Dr Patrick Walsh teaches at Assumption armoury to the British Vickers Company Grammar School, Ballynahinch, Co Down. leaders had banked on being over before He is author of The rise and fall of Imperial and had the defensive plans of its capital the close of 1915. Ireland: Redmondism in the context of drawn up by the Royal Navy. Such an outcome would have enhanced Britain?s conquest of South Africa and its Now, surely, if the Ottomans were intent great war on Germany 1899-1916 (2003) the Home Rule position after the war— and Britain's Great War on Turkey: An on joining a war against the Entente Powers particularly in relation to the unionists. Irish Perspective (2009). they were Turkeys voting for Christmas! The defeat at Gallipoli instead led to the [The Examiner article can be viewed at: http:// If Mr Cronin thinks that the obscure fall of the Liberal Government and its www.indymedia.ie./article/96159] incident in the Black Sea that was used for replacement by a coalition that included the Russian and then British Declarations Mark Cronin replied to this article with a letter anti-Home Rule unionist ministers, includ- in which the title pre-judged the issue, of war on the Turks was sufficient provoca- ing Sir Edward Carson. 'Imperialist plot' theory dishonours Irish tion for setting the Middle-East ablaze The Home Rule Bill that had been soldiers who died at Gallipoli (25.4.10). Pat with war, then surely he must admit that Walsh sent in the following response which, placed on the Statute Book in August at the time of going to press, has not been the Austrians were justified in declaring 1914, and which Redmond had treated as published war on Serbia, after the assassination of an act, was rendered still-born. Mark Cronin's response to my article the heir to the Hapsburg throne. And that then really puts the cat among the pigeons After the defeat at Gallipoli, Irish about Gallipoli reveals that the propaganda constructed to justify England's invasion with his argument. soldiers were transferred to take part in In this country, nowadays, we are all the Salonika expedition which was aimed of Mesopotamia and Turkey during 1914/ too willing to accept England's version of primarily at pressurising the Greek 5 has done its job well in Ireland to this day. To get to the point, Mr. Cronin claims history as fact when our history and Government to abandon its neutrality and experiences should tell us that we were, join the war on Turkey. that, firstly, Turkey voluntarily and will- and are, fools to do so. Wasn't it that that This succeeded in that the Greek ingly entered the Great War on Germany's side and, secondly, that Britain actually led us to the shores of Gallipoli in the first Government collapsed and was replaced place? by the pro-British regime of Eleftherios desired Turkish neutrality in that war. Dr. Pat Walsh Venizelos. The new regime joined the war Of course, these two assertions were on the British side and attacked Turkey on commonplace in British publications and the basis of British assurances that it could statements during the Great War and they And The Band Played wrest great territories from the disinteg- formed the 'official line'. However, the rating Ottoman Empire. But Turkey following British Foreign Office memo, Waltzing Matilda survived and the outcome of the conflict written by the Foreign Secretary, Sir Ed- by Eric Bogle (extract) between Greece and Turkey was to prove ward Grey, in October 1914, a few weeks disastrous for the Greek population of before the Declaration of War on Turkey, When I was a young man I carried my pack Anatolia, which was expelled from the gives the true facts of the matter. Grey And I lived the free life of a rover Turkish mainland. writes, in outlining British policy toward From the Murrays green basin to the dusty outback Irish soldiers of the British Army also war on Turkey that the policy was: I waltzed my Matilda all over Then in nineteen fifteen my country said Son played a part in adding Iraq to the British "To delay the outbreak of war as long It's time to stop rambling 'cause there's Empire, taking part in the invasion and as we could, to gain as much time as we work to be done seizure of Basra, the capture of Baghdad could, and to make it clear, when war So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun and the seizure of Palestine. came, that we had done everything to And they sent me away to the war The British Army's triumphant entry avoid war and that Turkey had forced into Jerusalem in 1917 was celebrated by it…" (From A.L. Macfie, The Straits And the band played Waltzing Matilda the Irish News as the final wresting back Question In The First World War, Middle As we sailed away from the quay for Christendom of the Eternal City. Eastern Studies, July 1983, p49). And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the Cheers We sailed off to Gallipoli Peace was only finally reached with That tends to give the truth of the matter, Turkey with the signing of the Treaty of from the 'horse's mouth', so to speak, that How well I remember that terrible day Lausanne in 1923. England had every intention of going to the blood stained the sand and the water And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay As the Dáil debate of that treaty shows, war with Turkey and it was just a matter of timing. But if Mr. Cronin does not accept We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter. it came as something of a surprise to the Johnny Turk he was ready, he primed himself well Free State Government that Ireland was the word of Sir Edward Grey he will find plenty of evidence contained within my He us rained with bullets, he showered us with shells still at war with Turkey. Cumann na n And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell Gaedheal did not realise that when they book, The Great War On Turkey, of Bri- Nearly blew us right back to Australia. had signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 tain's long term ambitions in the region to they had, by remaining part of the Empire, incorporate parts of the Ottoman Empire But the band played Waltzing Matilda inherited Redmond's war and its consequences. in the British Empire, like Mesopotamia, As we stopped to bury our slain the Persian Gulf and Palestine. How would And we buried ours and the Turks buried theirs The Lausanne Treaty—a triumph for Then started all over again the Turkish leader Ataturk—committed she have achieved such ambitions, one the British Empire to defend the settlement might ask, without a war involving the Ottomans? Now those that were left, well we tried to survive in the event of attack by any side, the most In a mad world of blood, death and fire likely scenario at the time being war with My book also lists all the attempts And for weeks I kept myself alive Bolshevik Russia. Turkey made in the years and months But around me the corpses piled higher The destruction of the Ottoman Empire before the war to form defensive alliances Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over tit and its carving up by the western powers with England, Russia and France—the And when I woke up in my hospital bed had catastrophic effects on the Muslim Powers that were intent on, and who made And saw what it had done, I wished I was dead world and helped make the Middle East secret agreements to, divide up its terri- Never knew there were worse things than dying what it is today. tory! It shows how the Turks put their Those who gather at Gallipoli to hear navy in the hands of the British Admiralty, For more I'll go waltzing Matilda All around the green bush far and near President McAleese's oration should had British yards build its battleships, For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs two legs reflect on the full significance of this placed a British Admiral in charge of the No more waltzing Matilda for me. terrible and costly battle. defences of the Straits, entrusted its main 17 with their endeavours whatever these And how far may one go in "sharpening might be. In 2003 for example, Garton up"? (For those of us, in that now infamous Ash was "Director of the European Studies Kilkenny 'Centenary Celebration of es ahora * at St. Anthony's College, Oxford" while Hubert Butler', we well remember how also being a "Senior Fellow at the Hoover Neal Ascherson fared when Brendan Institution, Stanford". Clifford faced up to him regarding his THE PETER HART SYNDROME For some time now anyone reading the In his critique of Ryszard Kapuscinski, reportage in the Balkans. By the time English media would have been acquainted Garton Ash makes the claim that, had he Clifford was done, poor Neal couldn't with the name Kapuscinski. It has been lived a few years longer, he might well "sharpen" up even "slightly" his utterances namechecked by almost everyone who have won the Nobel prize for Literature. on the subject.) coyly seem to suggest that if you weren't Indeed he goes on to say that journalists in But back to Garton Ash, who believes— in the know—well then you didn't really many countries would then have hailed "that there are few more responsible matter. In the Guardian, 6th March 2010, him as the first "non-fiction" writer to win callings for a human being armed with a John Dugdale in his column 'The week in it since Winston Churchill in 1953. The pen than that of being a veracious witness Books' outed the controversy in a wryly row over Kapuscinski has not only em- to great and grave events. … But in amusing way—noting: broiled his native Poland but "has already recognition of that responsibility to his- tory, as well as the “non-fiction” promise blown round the world. Because Kapus- "Authors blamed for being economical we make to our readers, we must stick to with the actualite have been in the cinski's name is a global byword for a the facts as best as we can find them. We spotlight, with coverage of a book alleging certain kind of literary-political report- must not change the order of events even that Ryszard Kapuscinski's reportage was age." The new book that has so debunked “slightly” nor “sharpen up” anything that sexed up with invention, and the US Kapuscinski's work is by a Polish journ- appears between quotations marks. …. publisher Henry Holt's decision to stop alist, Artur Domoslawski "to whom We must bear truer witness". printing Charles Pellegrino's Last Train Kapuscinski has been model, mentor and from Hiroshima, (which James Cameron friend". Garton Ash doesn't seem to mind Are you reading this Peter Hart? still plans to film) following the author's the betrayal by Domoslawski—barely admission that one "witness" hoaxed him, alluding to Kapuscinski's widow who KENYA, THE MAU MAU AND BRITAIN questions about other supposed inter- called it "patricide"—but he thinks that While the Irish media continue to howl viewees, and doubts about Pellegrino's the former's handling "of the many love with rage against the Catholic Church and purported PhD." affairs" a tad "insensitive", but as for historic wrongs, Britain acts with a certain Dugdale's take on this type of hoax Kapuscinski "communist past and occa- contempt for those who say they are writing, as befits his column, is humorous. sional contacts with the secret police" responsible for wrongs done in Kenya Had it to do with the rewriting of British well "I think he handles them well". while they were the colonel power there. history, his views would be quite different The Government is using an "old obscure I suspect. He then goes on to reference a We are then treated by Garton Ash to a legal principle" to dismiss claims of torture well reported offence of this type. James noteworthy talk given by him in 2001. and rape by the British colonial adminis- Frey was feted by the hugely influential Apparently, "to mark the 100th anniver- tration in Kenya. The Foreign Office says Oprah Winfrey for his "memoir", A Million sary of the Nobel Prize for literature, the that those seeking claims against the British Little Pieces. Gradually various people Swedish Academy held a symposium on State for "serious physical and sexual began to suspect Frey of invention and Witness Literature, delicately indicating abuse at the hands of the British during eventually he had to come clean. Four that prizeworthy Literature, with a capital the Kenyan “emergency” of 1952-1960 years ago, "Frey was forced to admit to an L, was not confined to fiction and poetry". should not be allowed to proceed with icy Oprah that his 'memoir' was full of Garton Ash's talk—"(now reprinted in my their claim because of the law of state fibs." Dugdale goes on to speculate that book Facts are Subversive)"—marvelled succession". The Government argues it is Frey "has switched to overt fiction and is at the way "Kapuscinski kept crossing "not liable for the acts and omissions of reported to be working on no fewer than from the Kenya of fact to the Tanzania of the Kenyan colonial administration" nine novels, all using pseudonyms". fiction and back again, but the transition claiming "the Kenyan Government was is nowhere explicitly signalled". now responsible for events that took place But the Guardian wasn't finished with That was same year in which anthro- while Kenya was a British colony". this story and its strong moral tale. On pologist and writer John Ryle "wrote a It was only recently that Britain 11th March, none other that Timothy coruscating review essay in the TLS, docu- acknowledged that "suffering took place Garton Ash wrote under a heading: To menting numerous inaccuracies, exag- on both sides". The claimants describe bear true witness to history's tragedy and gerations and mythifications in "being castrated, sexually assaulted and triumph is a sacred trust. And in a smaller Kapuscinski's writing on Africa". Of beaten during their detention by the British side quotation stated: "Every writer of course in any literary spat there are those and say they are still suffering con- reportage ought to learn from the who are for and against. Garton Ash finds sequences". According to the Guardian, Kapuscinski controversy. Creative non- himself surprised that his friend Neal 25th January 2010 (International Edition, fiction is a slippery slope." Garton Ash is Ascherson "himself the author of superb Madrid): well known for popping up in various reportage from Poland and elsewhere" is "the government's decision to have the guises as a "well known scholar" writing with Kapuscinski on this one. Ascherson case struck out on technical grounds of in such diverse publications as The New says that Kapuscinski "was a great state succession—the principle that coun- York Review of Books where he seems to storyteller and not a liar". Then Garton tries assume liability for their own affairs have a permanent place, London Review Ash goes on to quote "with surprise" what after independence—has infuriated of Books, The Guardian etc. His Ascherson says in full: human rights campaigners, who accuse compatriots seem to be Ian Buruma, Tony "“Almost all journalists, except for a the UK of shirking its responsibilities for Judt, Neal Ascherson, and Francis Urquart, handful of saints, do on occasion sharpen rights abuses in former colonies." to name but a few. Garton Ash is supported up quotes or slightly shift around times I would suggest that anyone interested by the kind of Foundations that seem to and places to heighten effect. Perhaps in this subject would read Britain's Gulag: confer a certain status to those involved they should not, but they—we—do”". The Brutal End of Empire in Kenya by "Really, Neal?" squeaks Garton Ash. Caroline Elkins (Jonathan Cape, London. It Is Time "And how much, pray, is “slightly”?" 2005). Elkins' research is formidable and 18 her case for the native peoples of Kenya is public monuments that are in every and the presenter put it across very success- insurmountable with its horrific images of continental country. Madeira was no fully that the white community had "to the camps, the starving people and every- different in this regard. The public statuary teach the Africans how that poaching was where the dead—horribly mutilated. (And was redolent of its history and was very not good for them". And the really appa- it is just not Kenya we are talking about— fine. The newer public ones were modern- lling thing was that the tone of hectoring there is also the Malayan Emergency, ist but it had been agreed that every implicitly conveyed the idea that the Borneo, New Guinea et al.) roundabout should have one of these and Africans left to their own devices would But wait—there is Neal Ascherson in after a while I realised that it was a pleasing act childishly and criminally but for the the Observer, 4th April 2004 stating that aesthetic to have them set amongst the Whites in their Land Rovers policing them compared to France, Britain managed jacaranda trees and every flowering shrub overtly. "decline and loss of Empire and world known to man. The growth was so lush I remember with shame, a former Presi- power status" "quite well". "Britain," he that one could speculate that if one dropped dent of Ireland, Mary Robinson, going on intoned "abandoned its empire skilfully, off to sleep for a few minutes, one would a trip to Africa and being written up in The almost without conflict". This is quite a awake surrounded by quickly growing Irish Times as an angel of mercy. Robinson "sharpening up" process in itself, as I vegetation. The camellias, roses and giant —a naturally cold person—actually cried think Garton Ash would agree. While ferns were a delight even for a non- and told the reporters that she saw it as her William, the son of the Prince of Wales, gardening enthusiast like me. duty now to be the "voice of these unheard was in Edinburgh University, one of his The people were obviously in mourning Africans". What was wrong with the then close girl friends was Jessie Craig until the Solemn Mass for the Dead was Africans that they couldn't use their own whose father owns a ranch in Kenya which concelebrated with their bishop in the voice? Why can't it be Africans who tell us has been visited by the Prince—the acreage lovely old Cathedral. The readings were how things are with them? But of course is over 135,000 acres. The father himself in three different languages—Portuguese, it is the like of Nelson Mandela that is runs his own tourist business, bringing in German and English There is a lovely feted because he is a patsy for the West. guests who pay him to experience the statue of our last Pope outside the Cathedral Well watch South Africa and see how the ultimate African safari. As far as I am —Papa Ioannus Paulus 11. And the size of how close the place is ready to blow up— aware, the Kenyan Government/people the statue of Portuguese sailor Zarco, who look at the pictures of the black township doesn't benefit from Craig's business. founded Madeira, was be all of twelve crowds already marching for such basics metres—right in the middle of the town. still as water, bread and sewerage. Then SKY TV AND DISASTER NEWS The scenery is spectacular. Whether there is poor Somalia, whose seas have I was in Madeira when the floods and looking up from near sea-level at the prim- been so polluted by the West dumping mudslides hit the island that killed 42 ordial mountains disappearing up into the their chemicals for just £2 per tonne people—8 are still classified as missing— mists, or travelling by cable-car and whereas to treat the chemicals at home in but it is generally accepted that they were looking down at the declivities of the city Europe would cost £250 per tonne making washed out to sea. The island is Portuguese, at the great ocean liners in the harbour, or the poor starving locals turn to piracy for but to see how all the islanders responded seeing the red-roofed houses, and, as if the self sustainability—that noble tradition was quite astonishing. It seemed that massive fronds, shrubs and trees were not which laid the very foundations for the everyone who could wield a brush and enough, the people had several pot plants British Empire itself. Who can judge them? pan were trying to clean the mud away and in every nook and cranny of their little Who dares? there was no cananing about who would gardens. In 2009, there was a book published pay or who was responsible. The island called Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working depends totally on tourism and they were AFRICAN AID and How There is Another Way for Africa. raging over the constant loop on some Reading about the BBC programme It was written by Dambisa Moyo whose channels—especially Sky—which and its questions relating to Aid was CV gave me—I admit it—pause for seemed to be heavily negative. something of a deja vue moment for me. thought. She had worked for eight years at In fact there were three different rivers For along time I have been interested in Goldman Sachs, having worked previous- in "livadas", which ran from the mountain the whole question of Aid and how much ly for the World Bank as a consultant. She bringing water, mud and anything else in good it does. Bob Geldof may rage against has a PhD in Economics from Oxford its wake and it was these that caused the the BBC but it is a telling rage. I have University and holds a Masters from trouble. But they were highly contained talked to people who know something Harvard University Kennedy School of and the rest of the capital—Funchal—was about the 'Aid business', and it just never Government. She was born and raised in just fine. The "livadas" are actually a seemed to add up. I very rarely watch TV Lusaka, Zambia. After reading a little of system of distributing water from the but one night saw an ad. for an Irish this book—I can recommend it thoroughly rainier, northern side of the island to the charity called 'Bothar'. The appeal was for for its bracing lack of sentimentalism and drier, more fertile southern side of the Irish farmers to donate cattle and these its thorough critique of all the players. island. would be taken out to Africa: what really Having briefed me well, she makes the In our hotel there were the international appalled me was the commentary that following absolute statement of fact: editions of English papers, with German, went with the ad. Among the goats, cows "The problem is that aid is not benign— French and Spanish being also available. and heifers, there was this little young it's malignant. No longer part of the The numbers of English tourists were voice who was asking for advice from his potential solution, it's part of the greatest with Germans coming a close father and the latter replying that they— problem—in fact aid is the problem." second. Therefore there was a lot of English Bothar—would teach the Africans how In Hello magazine No. 1115, 22nd spoken, but our tour guide Christina also "to look after the animals and grow them March 2010, there is an article titled Kate spoke fluent German, Spanish and French. eventually into herds". Talk about Kipling Moss And Victoria Beckham Bitten By She told us that all children in what we'd and the white man's burden! This The Charity Bug. If it wasn't so serious, call primary school had to learn at least suggestion that the greatest herders in the one could just shrug it off and say—well two languages along with their native world would have to be taught the whole they can't do anything wrong. But Dambisa Portuguese. This bore fruit in that in every idea of cattle husbandry had me seeing holds no liking for what she calls "the rise commercial transaction one had—one had red. of glamour aid". And in effect in this access to one's own language. And it wasn't just the Irish secularists. instance Moss and Beckham etc. are talk- I am forever stunned at the amount of I saw a BBC documentary on Conservation ing about mosquito netting and how that 19 material protects life against deadly malaria. The fashion set is using such · Biteback · Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback· Biteback netting for frocks to be auctioned for the charity 'Malaria No More'. Also another wheeze they have initiated is an 18ct white- On the Late Late show (19th March) there was an amusing exchange between Tubridy and the impressario Noel Pearson. Pearson was asked about the OBE that theatre director Michael Colgan gold ring in the shape of a mosquito set had received. He said something like: "I am happy for him, but only a little bit"—and then asked with rubies and diamonds by the jeweller rhetorically why Irish people feel the need to accept these things when even many English people don't. He also said that OBE stands for Order of the British Empire, but "Britain doesn't have an Stephan Webster, who is expecting them Empire". (Maybe so, but it still likes to keep its hand in). The audience was ready to clap, but to fetch £15,000 each. All the aid will go Tubridy didn't pause and immediately asked the next question. The award provoked the following to send nets to families in Botswana. letters which appeared in the Irish Times Dambisa goes on to tell what almost surely The Gate Theater director Michael Colgan justified his decision to join the Order of the happens next. There are many little mos- British Empire (OBE) on an honorary basis (Irishtimes,com, March 18th). He said, "there quito net makers all over Africa. "Say we can be no question but that this award should be shared by all who have worked with me have one who makes up to 500 nets a at the Gate. I know that one person who would have been particularly pleased is my dear week. He employs ten people who (as with friend, the late, great Harold Pinter. many African countries) each have to Harold Pinter turned down a knighthood on the basis that it was offered to him by the support upwards of fifteen relatives." He British government. He did later accept becoming something called a "Companion of would also be able to have the skill in his Honour," on the basis that it was not in the gift of his government. It is also surely workforce to mend nets as well. But enter presumptuous to assume, without question, that all who have worked with Mr Colgan, the celebrity who collects enough money OBE, would care to share his gong. (burnishing their own halos all the while) While Harold Pinter cannot venture an opinion on the subject, those who worked with to send 100,000 mosquito nets to the Mr Colgan, OBE, can. However, they might be hesitant in including themselves out, in case afflicted region. The local mosquito net they are not asked again. Niall Meehan maker, with his market flooded with foreign nets puts "our mosquito net maker out of business. His ten workers can no Once again the British head of state is engaged in undermining the republican, egalitarian longer support their 150 dependents (who and separatist ethos of the sovereign Irish State. I refer to your report on the conferring of are now forced to depend on handouts) an honorary OBE by Queen Elizabeth II on the artistic director of the Gate Theatre Michael and one mustn't forget that in a maximum Colgan (Home News, March 18th). The intervention into our republican system by the of five years, the majority of the imported British monarch to elevate chosen Irish citizens and to place them symbolically above their nets will be torn, damaged and of no fellow Irish is an unwelcome intrusion into our political and civic space. further use". By which time the local skill This is not a case of petty, mean-spirited anti-British rhetoric. It is an issue of economy falls off—so please if you really fundamental political principle. We are a sovereign republic that has repudiated monarchy want to help Africa, read this well and imperialism. My views on these awards are no different to those of Canada, a country recommended book. that has been a most loyal member of the Commonwealth. Because Canada is not a republic, Julianne Herlihy. © Queen Elizabeth II is head of state. Nevertheless, when it comes to matters of citizenship and sovereignty, Canada takes a very firm line. Despite the British ancestry of most of Canada’s population, no Canadian may accept a British knighthood or peerage unless he/she first renounces their Canadian citizenship. BICO on Wikipedia In the past 20 years, the British monarch has bestowed in excess of 50 titles/awards on Readers should be aware that people Irish citizens resident in the republic, as if they were her own British subjects. By accepting associated with this magazine have had these awards and titles, the recipients become, objectively speaking, part of the British no role in writing the Wikipedia entry on establishment. Inexplicably, the Irish Government has remained silent on this issue BICO. throughout. Wikipedia is a totally unreliable source. The Irish State should adopt the same policy as Canada in this matter, and any Irish Indeed, journalists on The Times have citizen who accepts a British title should be denied the privilege of Irish citizenship and been warned that they may not cite it as a surrender their Irish passport. The esteem and affection of one’s fellow citizens is the sole source for any information in their ultimate honour and accolade that can be bestowed on any person, for such an honour articles. cannot be bought, sold or bartered. Tom Cooper It is essentially unedited, anonymous, and irresponsibly subject to the whims of three ball needs a fourth on the first tee at structure projects, to tackle the damage done by Druid's Glen'. Gardai threatening to 'Go the economic recession, it has ceded its demo- eccentrics and the vendettas of coteries. Corrib' finally convinced FitzPatrick to cratic role, to the unelected Strategic Investment To illustrate the nature of Wikipedia, we cooperate. Fitz Patrick was led away to a safe Board. This body, established as a company reproduce below a Sunday Business Post house in the K Club for intense interrogation.” limited by guarantee and sponsored by the Office item (21.3.10): of the First and Deputy First Ministers, represents Strangely, no other media outlets reported the narrow interests of the private sector and "....More evidence of the unbending reliabil- the dramatic confrontation.Which is surpris- remains wedded to the discredited dogma of ity of Wikipedia, the online 'encyclopaedia', as ing, as most of them repeat what Wikipedia Privatisation and the Public Finance Initiative/ a trustworthy source of information became says without question." Public Private Partnership (PFI/PPP) approach apparent last week. Within minutes of the to delivery of public services. Conference calls arrest of fabulously successful banker Seanie on the NI Assembly parties to re-examine the FitzPatrick in Greystones, the following priorities in the Programme for Government in thrilling account of the events was posted on Labour Resolution line with the particular demands of the current Wikipedia: economic crisis and to implement the Investment The following motion is being submitted to Strategy in a manner that best benefits the local ‘‘On 18 March 2010, gardai arrested the Labour Party Conference, economy and which factors in the added value Galway 16th-18th April Sean FitzPatrick at his residence in Grey- of elements such as ensuring sustainability by stones, Co Wicklow. After a ten-minute "Conference notes with concern, the fact that improving the skills base through apprentice- gunfight, which saw FitzPatrick clamber to despite the Northern Ireland Assembly having ships and appropriate training." the roof of his family home shouting 'Made the opportunity to use the e 10 year Investment it Ma, top of the world!', Garda negotiators Strategy for Northern Ireland 2008-18 (ISNI), Northern Ireland Constituency Council enticed him down by announcing that 'a with planned expenditure of £20bn for infra- 20 loss of Bertie Ahern, before a Tribunal of scenery being rearranged. Cork developer Enquiry on several occasions; Jack Lynch Mr. Michael O'Flynn—a Fine Gael sup- Does suffered from it also, several other Govern- porter of longstanding—gave a press It ment Ministers, and now a Minister for release to his local newspapers in praise of Stack Defence. Is it any wonder the standard of Nama and in which Mr. O'Flynn made a Up government is so awfully incompetent? point of saying that Nama has taken over ? Eighty out of one hundred and forty nine "performing loans". He is the first person TDs voted confidence in a Minister who— to say this and his statement may have nothing having changed—had to resign something to do with his company's while STROKE POLITICS the next day. What sort of blind party elephant 'Elysian Centre' of seventeen If Mr. Maurice Quinlivan had won his political hacks are they? Fianna Fail still stories being taken over by Nama together court case to injuct Willie O'Dea to stop doesn't get it. And there is nothing any with the loans which enabled the Elysian him interfering in an election, the penalties more to be said about the members of the to be erected. The Elysian certainly has which the Judge could have handed down Green party. Green? Very Green! not been performing nor is it likely to to Willie O'Dea included a prohibition on perform any time soon. It has two of its being an election candidate and a prohibit- SCAM ARTISTS floors underground and what is more ion on voting in an election for a period of However, as we have noticed before important the two floors are below the years. It did not therefore suit Willie O'Dea now, it seems to be actually desirable for levels of High Spring Tides. How did the at all for the Judge to reach a decision. a politician to be an accomplished liar and Cork City Planners agree to this situation? Hence the untrue affidavit about matters swindler. Take Michael Clarke in Sligo, Why did Bankers lend money for such a which occurred only weeks prior to the for example. In 2002, he was given a two building? Greed, and Kierkegaard's "herd affidavit. When the Limerick Leader went year gaol sentence for conspiring to instinct", may have had something to do public with the true story, Willie O'Dea defraud us of tens of thousands of euros. with it. No matter what way you look at it, tells us he next went straight to his solicitor. He was getting and cashing Department it doesn't stack up. Once we had a fine post Between them they decided to settle out of of Agriculture cheques made payable to office sorting office there to meet the court with Maurice Quinlivan and decided non-existent farmers under the dairy needs of Cork's citizens—now one has to not to tell the Judge about the untrue hygiene scheme. He was a Fianna Fail travel by car somehow to get post some affidavit. The settlement was made. The member—but Fianna Fail was so embar- six miles down the road to Little Island. fact that the case was settled was rassed that he was forced to go forward as Why does it always mean that the little "mentioned" in court but the court was not an Independent candidate and as such he person has always to end up paying? And told about the false affidavit. topped the poll in his area for Sligo County for our own discomfort to boot? What did the court do when the Judge, Council. He was triumphalist about his Michael Stack. © like everyone else, heard about the false victory, "…. peers have now spoken". affidavit? In a matter directly affecting the He went on at Council Meetings to Israeli Diamonds Are Not Forever! State elections? Well, the court did nothing propose and endorse re-zoning of land. that we know of. Are we surprised? We The following letter appeared in His proposals were supported against the The Southern Star, 20th February are not surprised because public ethics County Manager and against the County have sunk so low. Willie O'Dea said he In recent years the romantic image of Development Plan by Fianna Fail and diamonds as objects of desire has been changed his affidavit when he realised his Fianna Gael Councillors who ensured that mistake. This is untrue. Affidavits, once tarnished by bloody conflicts in central Michael Clarke's proposals were passed. Africa that are often funded by the trade of made cannot be changed. The oath once It does not stack up unless something else sworn cannot be unsworn and no one locally mined gems. Human rights organi- is going on behind the scene-backstage. sations have begun a campaign against knows that better than Willie O'Dea who There is more than a suspicion that County is a solicitor. "conflict demands", or "blood diamonds", Councillors are ahead of the developers in and the ensuring global attention has forced A whole pack of lies were reported as that, is there is even an indication that having been told to the Dail on the day of the diamond industry to take action against certain land should be zoned in a certain the trade. the "no confidence" vote. Not least by way for the good of the people then the Taoiseach Brian Cowen who stated that The Kimberley Process, introduced in Councillors will ensure the land is zoned a 2003 UN resolution, is a certification the matter was a personal one and was for something useless in the County dealt with and resolved in open court— scheme designed to prevent rough diam- Development Plan and this ensures a onds used to fund conflict from entering two whopping lies. In his affidavit Willie sphere of influence for themselves over O'Dea stated: "I was fully entitled to raise the market. However, cut and polished the next election or two. diamonds, regardless of what bloody con- this issue as a public representative". And Bad politicians thrive on confusion and in affidavit he also said he was a TD and flicts they may fund, do not qualify for chaos. They don't want peace and prosper- regulation under the Kimberley Process. a Minister of the Government. This demon- ity for all. Only for themselves. They want strates it was not a personal matter only. Israel's blood diamonds, are thus accorded to be elected to get into the stream of a bogus legitimacy. Furthermore, the affidavit was made as a money. The stream of money includes defence to a case under the Electoral Act, Israel, the source of the world's longest generous salaries and unvouched expenses conflict, is also the world's largest producer as the Taoiseach knows full well, and that and most pernicious of all, lobbying "fees" case was very much a public and not a of cut and polished diamonds. In 2006, of thousands of euros per day for making Israel exported $16.7 billion worth of personal matter. The matter was not dealt introductions and using influence. Is the with in an open court. It is a lie to say it diamonds. Black Economy bigger than the Real The importance of the diamond industry was. The case was dealt with and settled Economy? Very likely it is and so much outside the court. to the Israeli economy can best be appreci- for statistics. ated when one considers that the budget of Lies are being freely told to the Dail NAMA the Israeli Ministry of Defence in 2008 and in court under oath. Loss of memory Nama just is to the public a bit like as if was $13 billion. Since Israeli cut and is used as an excuse if an excuse is given. we are part of a theatre audience between polished diamonds are not regulated by Mostly an excuse is not given at all. This Act 1 and Act 2. The curtain is down, so the Kimberley Process, jewellers continue sort of loss of memory has become the we do not know what is going on but we to sell them to consumers who are, for the standard escape—but with the memory can hear a lot of noise coming from the most part, completely unaware that the 21 annually [2000]—or half the income from against commercial failure. DESTINY continued farming. The cost to Irish consumers The Glanbia saga highlights this more alone is equivalent to a VAT of 20 per than anything. The PLC is a world leader cent on food. because its overseas operations in places unlikely to recede in the short-term. "It is incredible that today the entire Sterling has been sliding since the like Britain and the US function on a income from farming comes from public strictly commercial basis; its home beginning of the year and is the weakest of subsidies from Irish and EU taxpayers operation is a laggard, unconcerned about the main currencies this year, coming and consumers. Not only that, but the under fierce assault on money markets in cost of providing this support now greatly the demands or needs of the market place. mid-March, even against the Euro. exceeds the actual income received by It is neither a Co-op in the true sense but Speculators are betting against Britain's farmers" (Farm Incomes: Myths and yet it hasn't the courage to grasp full PLC fragile economy, and the £23.3 billion bid Realities , Alan Matthews, Cork Univer- status and make a fist of it. by British insurer Prudential for AIG's sity Press, 2000). "In Ireland, Labour waited patiently Asian insurance operations. But it is the until the farmers became affluent. Then prospect of Britain's second hung Matthews' presentation could be the affluent farmers decreed that they parliament since the second world war, in regarded as a "business only" analysis, but would keep everything that they got out the upcoming general election, that poses 10 years on, the farming community of a very favourable market situation. the main threat to the currency. (Irish continue to behave as land monopolists. They were rigourous free marketeers in Examiner, 11.3.2010). They are absolute owners of the land in a those days. But now that the market is not ****************************************************************************** way that the landlords never were and that so favourable to them, they demand the farmer of other countries are not. And immunity against it. Urban society, which The Farmers, in a sense, are their own did not benefit from their affluence, is their behaviour has been characteristic of worst enemy. called upon to suspend the laws of the monopolists rather than of businessmen "It shows that Irish agriculture makes a market until the farmers are once again in (not to mention husbandmen). They negligible contribution to Irish GNP in a position to take advantage of them. the absence of EU support. Farming is respond minimally to market pressures "Labour must not only wait, but must profitable only because of the transfers it and opportunities. They consider that they pay while it is waiting." receives as a result of public policy. The are entitled, as the makers of the Irish contribution made by Irish consumers state, as the true people of Ireland, to We expressed those words 20 years and taxpayers to farm incomes is increas- enjoy the full benefit of favourable com- ago in this publication and we have no ing and now amount to over £900 million mercial situations while being guaranteed reason to change our opinion today.

gems were crafted in Israel, where taxes the March 18 issue of Liberty Online carrying IBEC were actually employed in the public from that industry are used to fund the illegal my more detailed assessment of other aspects of sector. In that particular CSO survey, the occupation of Palestinian lands and the the March issue of IBEC's Quarterly Review of health and education categories embrace brutal subjugation of the Palestinian people. Economic Trends. both the private and public sectors. The Because the international community— Manus O'Riordan (22.3.10) CSO, in a specific Public Sector Employ- western governments in particular—has Original Letter to Sunday Business Post: ment publication, has provided the true and long failed to protect innocent Palestinian It is unfortunate that, through what no exact totals for September 2007. Public civilians from constant attacks by the Israeli doubt was an unintentional statistical error, administration and defence employed military, it is imperative that the concerned this past week's lBEC Quarterly Review of 100,700, public education employed 93,500 citizens of the world take action in defence Economic Trends has published seriously and public health employed just 112,800— of Palestinian human rights. misleading data which not alone inflates the latter total being practically matched by Diamond exports out-perform all other public sector employment numbers by as the numbers employed in private sector Israeli export commodities, which leaves much as 50% above their actual level, but health. And the sum total of those three its economy vulnerable to trends and public also maintains that such numbers were still public sector employment categories came taste. Unlike other Israeli exports— climbing rapidly upwards over the past to 309,400—a very far cry indeed from the technology, software, and armaments— two years! 458,000 claimed by IBEC. diamonds are purchased by individual IBEC argues that "a further concern is that The latest published data in respect of consumers, not companies or governments. between public administration, health and September 2009 tell us that, in the interven- When buying a diamond, each individual education, public sector employment reached ing two year period, employment in public consumer has the power to withhold the 458,000 at the height of the boom in 2007" and administration and defence actually fell by money that powers the Israeli war machine. it goes on to claim that "by 2009, while almost 2,400. It is true that public education did By choosing a stone that is truly conflict- all of the economy was shedding jobs, a further show an increase of 3,700, primarily due to 29,000 were added to public sector free, consumers will diminish funding for a 2,100 increase in VECs and Institutes of Israeli crimes against humanity—in Palestine employment". But what are the actual facts of the matter? Technology, but this amounted to little more and beyond. that half the increase of 6,500 declaring In the interim, Israeli diamonds should The Quarterly National Household Survey for July-September 2007 reported that 107,400 of themselves employed in the combined remain . . . on our conscience. its respondents were employed in public private and public education sectors. And Daniel Teegan administration and defence, 132,700 in when it comes to public health, the numbers education and 217,600 in health. The figures employed actually fell by 2,600, which IBEC Wrong On Public Sector Numbers from these three categories do indeed add up to means that the 15,900 increase in total private The text below is the complete version of my 457,700. Now, if there were any truth in the and public health was far more than wholly letter submitted to the Sunday Business Post on statement that close to half a million were accounted for by the private sector alone. March 18. The version published in its March currently employed in the public sector, there The sum total of these three public sector 21 edition was, unfortunately, so heavily edited would indeed be a case for at least paying employment categories came to 308,100 in that it omitted my critique of IBEC for attributing attention to 1BEC’s genuine concerns about the September 2009. Over the two year period employment totals to public health and public resulting consequences for public finances, if concerned, this represented an actual decline of education that were in fact in respect of private not to any accompanying media frenzy. But this 1,300—a dramatic difference from the fictional and public health combined and private and is decidedly—and demonstrably—NOT the increase of 29,000 claimed by IBEC! public education combined. case. See http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs071/ Manus O’Riordan The unquestionable fact is that only two Head of Research, SIPTU 1102805358929/archive/1103190210248.html for thirds of the total numbers claimed by 22 DESTINY continued holding of a better company which ments under the Common Agricultural ultimately delivers greater profitability. Policy (CAP) than the average across So this might offset some of the risk Europe" (30.1.2010). It is an ominous development when associated with commodity volatility. you see Irish food multinationals reducing Irish farmers receive €308 per hectare Institutional shareholders would most in CAP funding compared to €31 per their exposure to Ireland but what sort of likely be satisfied that the company is a a reflection is it on Irish agriculture, which hectare in Romania. Irish farmers point more typical PLC with a better story to out that they are faced with significantly is not only massively subsidised by the boot. EU taxpayer, but equally by our own higher production and living costs than taxpayers: the PAYE sector. Farming insiders believe Ireland could Romania, for example. be one of the most successful and lowest- Farmers, across the EU, received an WORKER PARTICIPATION? cost producers of milk in the world, but average of €215 per hectare. Only five The Glanbia Co-op, under its society needs to be reorganised. countries receive more money than Ireland rules, will hold two votes to decide. There —Greece, Belgium, Denmark, Germany The Glanbia break-up has been are 8,000 farmers in the co-op and around and the Netherlands. described as a win-win situation! It might 4,000 of these are active dairy farmers. But incoming Agriculture Commis- be for the farmers and the stock brokers You would have thought that over the sioner Dacian Ciolos from Romania has but does it really contribute anything to years, the agricultural Co-op sector pro- vowed to reform the CAP so that all farmers the advancement of a more productive vided a unique opportunity to develop a get more equal levels of payment. Agri- farming sector and help advance Ireland's worker/owner partnership, after all it is culture Minister Brendan Smith warned economic independence? based on collective ownership and the that support for the current system of CAP cooperative use of the means of production The farmers want it both ways: the payments, that favours Irish farmers, was and distribution, but then that probably comfort of their Co-ops and the profits of falling as more countries call for equal says more about our Trade Unions than their PLC, with its efficient external payments across the EU. the farmers. operations raking in the Dollars for the As it stands today, the Co-op movement Lords of the Land. HIGH COST ECONOMY in Ireland is little more than a tax avoidance The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) EU MEMBERSHIP exercise. said there was a good reason why Irish Entry into the EEC provided a massive farmers get more than those in Eastern In Glanbia PLC we have a Co-op which commercial stimulus to agriculture in the sets up a PLC (public limited company), Europe. "The compelling reason for the Republic with negligible effect. The differing level of payments is a different the PLC becomes a market leader, money which poured in was not used to however, its Irish arm becomes its weakest level of costs. We are a high-cost economy, diversify the agricultural economy. everything is dearer and it costs more to link. At the height of the EEC subsidies in "Last year, the Irish dairy businesses produce here", said IFA President John had a turnover of just over €1bn, the 1970s, their wealth increased enorm- Bryan. representing 56 per cent of Glanbia's ously without any proportionate increase He said that farmers here stood to lose total sales. However, it generated of effort or enterprise on their part. But as 20 per cent of their single farm payments operating profits of just €24m—an a class they did not even behave with the under the proposal to move to an EU-wide operating margin of only 2.3 per cent. prudence or the public spirit of oil sheikhs. flat rate payment. Based on a current "Meanwhile, Glanbia's US cheese and They spent lavishly and they invested average payment of around €10,500, that global nutritionals arm had sales of €792m badly. They went in for reckless land would mean a loss of over €2,000 each, with operating profits of €90m—an buying when there was still plenty of even though average farm incomes, operating margin of 11.4 per cent. scope for developing production on the including these payments, was just "The dairy markets have begun to pick existing farms. They acted as if the bonanza €13,000 last year, meaning farmers could up in recent months and farm-gate milk would last for ever. Land came on the not survive without them. prices have risen about 25 per cent from market because astronomical prices were their 2009 lows, but the European Union's being paid for it, and they mortgaged their ****************************************************************************** CAP-related reductions in guaranteed undeveloped farms so that they could The Farmers' Thanks to Europe! milk product prices, the impending extend them. They demonstrated in the "The value of the Euro needs to fall abolition of milk quotas and tough clearest possible way that land monopoly 14% against sterling for Irish food exports competition in the consumer food brands rather than husbandry was their thing. to regain competitiveness. are likely to keep slim profit margins They behaved as owners rather than Kerry Group Chief Financial Officer under pressure at the Irish division" (Irish producers. Medium sized farmers became Independent, 15.3.2010). notional millionaires on the basis of Brian Mehigan recently said the food property speculation. industry needs the Euro to settle at under Struggling with low milk prices and 80p. And the good times keep rolling, well feeling that the PLC model is hampering The exchange rate was at about 87p for their growth, the farmer shareholders feel so far! "Farmers get over 86 per cent of EU much of February, and Mr. Mehigan said, conditions are right to form a new Co-op, "It is fair to say that maybe there is some with co-operation, collaboration and budget funds given to Ireland . . . . Ireland will receive €6.2 billion from the Com- optimism coming in with the weakness of collective interest at its core. the Euro. I think 87p for sterling is better The Co-op owns over 158 million shares mon Agricultural Policy between 2007 and 2013, accounting for over 86 per cent than 94p, but it still needs to get down in Glanbia PLC, giving it 54 per cent of below 80p to be competitive…". the company and it is anticipated that it of EU funds received in this country" (Irish Independent, 17.2.2010). The exchange rate had fallen from a may place 30 per cent of the company to peak of 94p last October. However, sterling finance the deal. Irish farmers, who receive 10 times weakened again in mid-March, returning Shares are trading at about €2.55, so the more EU money than some of their Eastern the exchange rage to 91p, and the dif- placing could be at €2.20 or less. One European counterparts. ficulties of the past two years for Irish source said the farmers could also seek the "New figures obtained by the Irish exporters due to weaker sterling are redistribution of cash to society members. Independent show that Irish farmers The co-op would end up with a smaller receive nearly 50 per cent more in pay- continued on page 22

23 Food and drink exports account for has 8,000 farmer members. DESTINY continued over €7 billion in food and beverage The Glanbia situation throws up a much products, accounting for 50% of indi- bigger question about the future of Ireland's tend to shop around for the best value, genous manufacturing exports. food industry. while indigenous companies generally It generates almost one third of Ireland's Built on the back of Co-ops or state tend to stay put and retain employees. net foreign earnings from manufacturing ownership in Ireland, the country produced Furthermore, there is a compelling and has the capacity to grow and create four Irish multinational food companies, argument that Ireland should now start to employment. Kerry Group, IAWS (Irish Association of wean itself off foreign direct investment. The sector currently employs over Wholesale Societies), Glanbia and 230,000 people, accounting for seven per Greencore. "A MODERN ECONOMY" cent of GDP, eight per cent of employment, IAWS has morphed into Aryzta, and Speaking at a seminar in UCD just over 10 per cent of exports and a third of net while it retains extensive operations in a year ago, Robert Shapiro, a senior foreign earnings from the manufacturing Ireland, it is now headquartered and listed economic adviser to US president Barack industry. in Switzerland. Obama, said: With a growing world population Greencore, which closed down the Irish ''FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] is a meaning more mouths to feed, there were sugar industry in 2005, and last month transition strategy, not an end-game also enormous opportunities in EU and sold off its malting operations to a French strategy. The key to Ireland's next stage company, has no remaining food is to make the entire economy a modern world food and drink markets, Shapiro said. The problem here would appear to be operations in Ireland. It continues to be economy—and not one that depends on Irish registered and is headquartered here, the success of foreign companies" (See that the Irish PLC with the overseas mainly for tax reasons. Irish Political Review, Feb. 2009, p30). operations will be the greater beneficiary and not the indigenous sector. Kerry Group has kept its head office in Shapiro had a simple message: promote Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith Ireland and while it has scaled back on local, rather than rely on global. In fairness has set up a top-level review of the food food production assets in Ireland, it has to the Government, it has made efforts sector. How much impetus a new analysis nevertheless continued to acquire busi- over the past two years to help develop an of the sector will generate remains to be nesses here, for example, Breeo foods indigenous economy. seen. On past performance, it is far from from Dairygold, which is the state's largest It has introduced tax holidays for start- encouraging. farmers'-owned company. It is currently up companies and is promising to restruct- attempting the acquire the Newmarket, ure the banks—through Nama and a GLANBIA: CO-OP V. PLC Co. Cork Co-op. recapitalisation—in an effort to get credit A case in point is Glanbia PLC (public Now Glanbia is looking at jettisoning flowing again through the Irish economy. limited company) with more than 70 per its Irish food operations. It would probably In the short term, some €135 million cent of its earnings generated outside continue to keep its headquarters in Ireland, has been set aside in an employment Ireland. The overseas profile of the largest but in the future there would be no logical subsidy scheme for struggling but viable food PLC, the Kerry Group, is close to reason for it to keep its main listing in businesses, while, through the Enterprise that figure too. Ireland. It could even switch its main Stabilisation Fund, the Government has Both companies have proved the point currency of operations to dollars at some approved €44 million in funding for 98 that export-led growth has to be the way point in the future, given the enormous businesses. forward for Ireland's economy. contribution to profits that will come from In early March, Glanbia PLC the US. Meanwhile, in terms of policy, a report announced that it is prepared to back the So, if four of Ireland's very small number from the Innovation Task Force has been proposal by the Glanbia Co-op, a 54 per commissioned and will have much to say of genuine multinational companies are cent shareholder in the PLC, to buy back pulling back from their presence here (with on developing indigenous enterprise. the public company's Irish division. Sometimes, however, the rhetoric has not the exception of Kerry Group), what does Glanbia PLC ranks among the world's it say about the future of the food industry been met with action. The Government top dairy processors, has annual sales of has been unable to convince any US which should be the gem in Ireland's export €2 billion, with operating profits in 2006 crown? venture capitalists to back a proposed €88.4 million and in that year employed €500 million fund—more than a year after approximately 4,400 staff. Apart from The 2008 Forfás employment survey it was announced as a cornerstone of Ireland, it has operations in the EU, the showed there were 39,500 people working Ireland's economic recovery plan. US, with international joint ventures in in the food industry for firms supported by The Celtic Tiger grew fat by attracting the UK, US and Nigeria. IDA or Enterprise Ireland. That figure foreign direct investment to Ireland was down from 43,500 in 2000. So, despite through our low-cost economy. The world FARMERS WANT IT BOTH WAYS! the enormous boom and the apparent has now moved on and it is impossible to The farmers have been complaining growth of the sector, it is employing even recreate the dynamics of the early 1990s. about the price Glanbia PLC is paying fewer people now than it was ten years Foreign direct investment will play an them for their milk. They may even have ago. That situation can only get worse. important role in any economic recovery, wished they could get rid of this PLC There is a potential to create some but we have to wean ourselves off the idea altogether and run and own the company high-end food sector R&D type jobs, but that it's the 'be all and end all of economic themselves, as opposed to owning 54 per it isn't at all clear where the big job numbers policy' and begin to realise that a long- cent of the bigger stock market-listed in the industry will come from. Having term recovery will rely on the strength of company. our most successful firms in the sector indigenous Irish companies, and the The PLC is all for shafting its Irish scale back their presence here is a worrying ingenuity of Irish entrepreneurs. operation. It is making better profit margins trend. on its foreign businesses and they have Unfortunately, it may simply be a FARMING POTENTIAL greater growth potential. logical consequence of the international A key player in breaking the The Irish business is dragging down success of these companies and the globali- overwhelming dependence of multi- overall margins and presents a massive sation of the food sector. nationals should be the agriculture sector. headache, given that the Co-op behind it continued on page 23

24 rules were put on ice following opposition The importance of this sector cannot be DESTINY continued from Britain and fears of a trade war with overstated. Multinational job announce- the U.S. ments might garner the headlines, but it is period, which assumed that the market is "The draft had been intended to curb worth remembering that 63 per cent of all always right." pay and borrowing at hedge funds and workers in Ireland are employed by a "The challenge for Western thinking usher in an era of transparency for a small or medium-sized company. now is to create a fourth version of secretive industry that many politicians Furthermore, official figures show that capitalism that builds on the best elements said exacerbated borrowing difficulties companies with fewer than 50 employees of the classical, Keynesian and Thatcher- in Greece. —the Government classification for a "The draft rules would require hedge Reagan models, but adapts to the needs small business—employ more than half funds, private equity groups and others to of the 21st century, and specifically to the the workforce. rivalry with China's dynamic and self- register and disclose trading information It is also worth noting that the Finance confident authoritarian system. Whether to supervisors. this is possible is very much an open "The main bone of contention is a Bill did little to stimulate indigenous question. suggestion by France and Germany for economic activity. The changes to the "Some of the changes required are an EU 'passport' to give European funds R&D scheme were minimal, and there obvious, and are happening already. For and managers free rein to tap investors was no headline boost for small and example, governments and central banks across the bloc without having to re- medium sized Irish enterprises. Instead, are accepting much more explicit register in each of the 27 member states. the Finance Bill focused on luring foreign responsibility for managing economic Foreign-registered funds and managers companies and investors back to Ireland. growth and employment, as well as would be denied the passport under the For example, the decision to extend the inflation." (Irish Independent, 4.2.2010). current compromise. remittance tax regime for foreign execut- "We could not sign up to something ives working in Ireland was clearly aimed EGGS IN ONE BASKET that we regarded as excluding properly at multinational bosses. In a St. Patrick's Day message to the supervised firms operating out of Having previously been scrapped, under world (Irish Times, 13.3.2010), Taoiseach London," Mr. Darling said last night. the stewardship of Mr. Cowen, when he Brian Cowen wrote: "Ireland has also voiced problems with was Minister for Finance, the scheme was the draft which is based on a text penned "People say the best way to predict the reintroduced last year for certain highly- by then-internal market commissioner future is to invent it. One of Ireland's best paid executives, and it has now been Charlie McCreevy last April. Many Irish attributes is our ability to be agile and to extended to cover European executives. banks act as custodians or administrators make quick decisions to get ahead of the for funds and managers based in other game. We need to use that quality now, as Likewise, changes to the Corporation financial centres and the banks could be we have in the past. I will be working left liable if incorrect values are placed Tax regime will make it easier for multi- with my colleagues in Government to on assets under their custody. nationals to locate their headquarters, take forward the taskforce's recommend- "The Irish Funds Industry Association research departments and patents here. A ations as we seek to make Ireland a global estimates around 6,000 funds worth ¤689 range of initiatives aimed at the Financial innovation hub . . . . a smart, high value, billion are administered in Ireland" (Irish Services sector, particularly the IFSC (Irish export-led economy" (Irish Times, Independent, 17.3.2010). Financial Services Centre), was also 13.3.2010). included in the Bill. There was not a single mention of agri- As the Finance Bill worked its way The Government has moved to appease culture. The thrust of what the Taoiseach through the Dáil, a US multinational international pressure by introducing proposes for his "smart economy" doesn't announced that it was shedding 175 Irish transfer-pricing legislation, a move which exist within, it is overwhelmingly depend- jobs, while a leading high-street bank prevents multinationals cutting their tax ent on external forces : multinationals. declared that it was shutting down its Irish bill by transferring profits between juris- In the boom days of the Celtic Tiger, it retail network, with the loss of 750 jobs. dictions. was anathema to refer to self-reliance or In isolation, the moves by Boston In the current regulatory climate, this self sustainability as an economic policy Scientific and Halifax were not entirely move is welcome, as it brings Ireland for the state : the whole world was going unexpected. Combined, however, the two into line with international regulatory 'global' and Ireland was at the cutting announcements represented a blow to norms without really hampering our edge. Ireland's enterprise and job creation competitiveness. strategy. The 950 jobs that were lost last ****************************************************************************** February were not low-grade, minimum Significantly, the Government has also "But the day when we could import the wage positions. Nor were they construct- targeted the Islamic world, by legislating next wave of industrialisation through ion, building or property jobs. for Sharia finance. More than $1 trillion the mid Atlantic back door appears to be On the contrary, they were exactly the dollars is tied up in Sharia finance, most of over. The American empire is in retreat, sort of positions that the Government is it in the Middle East. By introducing a tax at least for now" (Kyran Fitzgerald, now so desperate to create: professional structure to deal with the complexities of Irish Examiner, 20.3.2010). jobs in finance, and research & development. this form of finance, Ireland now has an ****************************************************************************** Undoubtedly, the Government is right opportunity to become a European leader The Finance Bill, published in early to try and secure foreign direct investment in this area. February, offered a clear indication that and to attract large financial institutions to There is a serious argument that these the Irish Government is still pinning its set up here. But the struggle is becoming initiatives should have been introduced hopes for economic recovery on the twin harder, and the Government needs to fight years ago, when it became clear that the pillars of foreign direct investment and the jobs battle on a number of fronts. property bubble was not going to expand financial services and largely believes that forever. Indeed, many of these initiatives it will only be a matter of time before the INDIGENOUS INDUSTRY will take a number of years to reap returns Ameranglo economic model will come Attracting multinationals is all well and are not a short-term fix. good again. and good, but the Government should not The next step, however, is to look hard "Ireland's hedge fund industry breathed forget about small and medium-sized at Irish-owned companies. Multinationals a sigh of relief yesterday after draft EU enterprises. continued on page 24

25 VOLUME 28 No. 4 CORK ISSN 0790-1712

"The first essential for the success of any party, or any movement, is that it should believe it carries within its own bosom all the material requisite to achieve its destiny. The moment any organisation ceases to believe in the sufficiency of its own powers, the moment its membership begin to put their trust in powers not their own, in that moment that party or that organisation enters on its decline." (James Connolly, April, 1908). Moment Of Destiny? Anatole Kaletsky is the Principal Econ- "The question that nobody wants to enjoy seeing their rivals politically omic Commentator of The Times, London. raise is whether the new model of squeezed by Beijing. "Kaletsky believes that Gordon Brown capitalism that emerges to dominate the "It is also the official line of Chinese saved the UK economy by squandering world will be a radically reformed version and Western governments. Our two all the money away. He believes that of the Western democratic system or models can prosper in peaceful co- savers should be punished by zero percent some variant of the authoritarian state- existence and mutual respect." led capitalism favoured in China, Russia interests rates, inflation and a tax on He claims this is an illusion! capital. His mother was a communist," and many other emerging economies. "As a leading US diplomat told me: "Whether we look at business practices, —according to the Wikipedia, all in the 'Since the crisis, developing countries economic policies, political and human same breath. have lost interest in the old Washington rights or geopolitical interests, it is clear Mr. Kaletsky was born in 1952 in consensus that promoted democracy and that China and the West are on a collision Moscow, USSR and also spent his child- liberal economics. Wherever I go in the course. Serious collisions may not occur for decades, but the two models of hood in Poland and Australia. He has world, governments and business leaders politico-economic development are lived in England and the US since 1966. talk about the new Beijing consensus— the Chinese route to prosperity and power. incompatible in the long term." Mr. Kaletsky was educated at King's "On human rights, far from confirming College and at the University of The West must come up with a new model of capitalism that's consistent with the naive slogan of the Thatcher-Reagan Cambridge. our political values. Either we reinvent period that free markets create free people, Many of his economic predictions have ourselves or we will lose.'" China is becoming more adamant in its been proven wrong by subsequent events: rejection of Western-style democracy. for example, Kaletsky wrote, "… I am one Kaletsky attacks those who— Perhaps most seriously, China's growing of the few economic commentators who "pretend that the Chinese and Western confidence in its authoritarian politics has consistently made light of the anxieties models of capitalism are not really very and government-led economic develop- about a 'day of reckoning' for British different. Everyone, after all, is in business ment is creating inevitable frictions with homeowners and consumers …" to make money, so on the issues that the West, from Korea, Iran and Tibet to Predictions include that "the credit really matter, there is no great rift. This is Sudan, Zimbabwe and Venezuela. crunch seems to be ending" (June, 2008) the standard view among all businessmen "We in the West have a choice. Either and that "there will be no US recession" with big investments in China, especially we concede the argument that China, in (January, 2008). His latest prediction is those like Bill Gates, of Microsoft, who the 5,000 years of recorded human history, that in the United Kingdom General has been a much more successful and Subscribers to the magazine are regularly durable culture than America or Western Election, 2010, the Liberal Democrats offered special rates on other publications may displace the Labour Party as the Europe and is now reclaiming its natural "dominant party of the Left" (Private Eye, Irish Political Review is published by position of global leadership. 2.10.2009). the IPR Group: write to— "Or we stop denying the rivalry that exists between the Chinese and Western But, like a stopped clock, which is 1 Sutton Villas, Lower Dargle Road models and start thinking seriously about correct at least twice in the day, Kaletsky Bray, Co. Wicklow or how Western capitalism can be reformed hit the nail on the head in his syndicated PO Box 339, Belfast BT12 4GQ or to have a better chance of winning." column in the Irish Independent PO Box 6589, London, N7 6SG, or (4.2.2010). His prognosis is one which "We must stop pretending that minor should be considered carefully by the Irish Labour Comment, reforms to banking will restore the Government when they hanker for the C/O Shandon St. P.O., Cork City. TEL: 021-4676029 performance of the Western system, and bygone days of the Celtic Tiger: focus on the deeper lessons from the "If the West wants to avoid sliding into Subscription by Post: financial crisis and the years before. irrelevance, governments must be much 12 issues: £20, UK; Outside the echo chambers of the US and more active in taking control of the € 30, Ireland; € 35, Europe. Britain, it is obvious that what went wrong economy, writes Anatole Kaletsky. Electronic Subscription: in 2007-09 was not just a lapse in bank "After the crisis of 2007-9, the global € 15 / £12 for 12 issues regulation. It was a failure of the entire capitalist system is in a period of trans- (or € 1.30 / £1.10 per issue) market fundamentalist model of capital- ition, comparable to the great transitions ism created in the Thatcher-Reagan of the 1930s and 1970s. You can also order from: https://www.atholbooks-sales.org continued on page 25