A Journal of Protest and Dissent VOL.I • No. I • 50p Winter 2002. IN THIS ISSUE

• Republicanism in Crisis . . . . . 1 • The Cracks in the “PNF”. . . . . 1 New Phase of the Struggle or Strategic Failure? • A Journal of Dissent ...... 2 by Liam O’Ruairc • At the Foot of the Mountain enters into coalition government dissent and resistance are now ...... 2 rish Republicanism is in crisis. in the South. Far from subverting being part of the problem and the The British presence is still those institutions, the participa- status quo against which they pro- • Author’s Choice: Rogelio Alonso I there, the Unionists are still tion of the Provisional Movement tested is traumatic and difficult to A Just War? ...... 3 ruling the place, all this for the makes them effectively administer get over for many. Contemporary foreseeable future. The fact that British rule and implement neo- Irish Republicanism is at present • Interview: Marian Price . . . . . 4 Irish Republicanism has not been liberal policies such as closing deeply divided; there are no fewer able to realise its aims and has hospitals, promoting PFI in the than four IRAs and two Sinn • Books: Soul Wars ...... 6 suffered a massive defeat is at field of education, etc. Had the Feins. Those divisions show a • Books: Anthologies Package the root of this present crisis. Provisional Movement retained clear crisis as to what the way What has greatly aggravated it any sense of Republican prin- ahead is. There is a crisis of lead- our Literary Past ...... 8 is the fact that Provisional Irish ciples, it would have gone into ership and a strategic uncertainty. • Unionism and Republicanism has effectively opposition instead of taking up A current able to regenerate Irish integrated the institutions that ministerial posts. Rhetoric of the Republicanism is not yet hege- Decommissioning ...... 9 it once tried to destroy. In the Provisional movement set aside, monic and is not presently capa- • Turkish North, Sinn Féin ministers are Republicanism has de facto trans- ble of transforming itself into a Report ...... 11 sitting in Stormont, and it is a formed itself into its opposite. significant political force. matter of time before the party The fact that people that once led The relevance and future of • Taking Sides in the Irish Republicanism is also threat- War on Modernity ...... 12 ened by objective factors. The THE REAL REPUBLICAN PARTY 26-County state is the legitimate • Authors ...... 12 Pan–Nationalist Cohesion is Weakened Irish Republic in the eyes of the vast majority of its citizens, and in by Tommy Gorman the North an agreement far short he cracks already evident in the “Pan Nationalist Front” should, of a United Ireland free of British by the time the next Dáil elections come around, be of Grand control has the support of the T Canyon dimensions. The existing, relatively minor, differences greater number of the Nationalist revolve around the timing of the total surrender of IRA weaponry. The real population. Both the “Free State” crunch will arrive when two of the elements of the “front” hit the hustings and British Rule have relatively vying for the republican vote. succeeded in making themselves acceptable. The worst effects of Since their metamorphosis from physical force nationalism to constitu- the national question have been tional conservatism Fianna Fail have insisted, despite mountains of evi- deflected. Combined with the dence to the contrary, that they are “The Republican Party.” They have and ability of the British and Southern will continue to use this addendum on all of their election material. states to address people’s dis- Having come in from the political fringes, jettisoning all revolution- content through economic and c social reforms, this has severely ary republican principles on the way, Sinn Féin too will be proclaim- ing themselves to be “The Republican Party” or even the “Real undercut Irish Republicanism’s Republican Party.” potential to develop. However, this presupposes that it is always War has already been declared and we can already see a curious symmetry possible for reforms to succeed, You cannot put a in the respective battle-lines and tactics of these former bedfellows. which is highly unlikely. Also, the rope around the Some weeks ago there was a “National Day” of commemoration in level of integration of the people Dublin for the 10 men who died in the H Blocks in 1981. We were led by the State is never absolute, neck of an idea. to believe that this parade was the result of a spontaneous demand but relative and situations are amongst the masses to give due recognition to these ten brave men. But not static but dynamic. Those — spontaneity needs a bit of a nudge here and there and the usual Sinn Féin two factors indicate that this situ- heads were at hand to make sure it all went Continued on page 8 ation might Continued on page 11

TheBlanket 1.7 1 12/14/01, 3:22 AM Under the Foot of the Mountain EDITOR’S BOX into Cape Town on a merchant by Brendan Hughes ship. The imposing table top had a walk down the Gros- mountain towering above – venor Road yesterday to see beautiful sight. A sight that cried I my sister, to the place I was out for you to come up and see. born, to the place my father That is, until you step off the This is a journal of protest and dissent coming brought up six children on his ship and witness the ugly feet from the Irish Republican tradition. This might seem problem- own, to a place I spent almost of this mountain. The poor, the atic. Protest and dissent existed long before people called four years on the run, a place hungry, the poverty this great themselves Irish Republicans, and many people around the where we fought the B Spe- beauty hides. world can dissent without being at the same time Irish cials, RUC, , British Army, Before leaving the ship we are Republicans. History has also shown that on a number of British Intelligence, and under- told to stay away from the shan- occasions Irish Republicans have crushed dissent and protest cover killers. A place where poor tytowns, and especially stay away inside and outside their ranks, and that the ideology has people left their front and back from ‘District 6’ as I’m sure been used to legitimise conservative and oppressive struc- doors open. A place where you many visitors to our Europa tures of power. To the first objection, it can be replied that had to get to know every yard are told when they arrive in in the Irish context, it is very difficult to think and develop wall in the event of a Brit army . Of course many things protest and dissent if one ignores the Republican tradition. raid. A place where we had great have changed in South Africa, The second argument passes over the issue of whether, in hopes of our Republic. many things have changed in spite of the occasions where Republicans have crushed pro- But it had all changed. I saw the North. But have they? test and dissent, does the tradition still have any progressive nice new houses. No more yard Yes, for some! But for the major- potential left. The baby shouldn’t be thrown out with the walls; one way ity of people, bath water. The ideas of Irish Republicanism have been able in and one way poor people, not just to survive, but to develop over the last two centuries THE BIGGEST out. Most of the “ here and in in Ireland, precisely because they could critically address old people who South Africa, the major problems faced by the Irish people at different ROGUE EM- had fed and nothing much periods in time. It is within Irish Republicanism that the forces looked after us, has changed. of dissent and protest have found the necessary intellectual PLOYERS ARE gone, dead and We still have resources to criticise the practices and discourses of powers buried. The old the rogue em- responsible for the problems they faced. This journal believes THE PEOPLE people’s home ployer, maybe that those ideas contained within Irish Republicanism will knocked down, a different continue to grow and are still relevant for 21st century Ireland, TASKED WITH leaving a wide colour, maybe because the problems they address haven’t yet been resolved; open space, a different reli- and as the ideals of Irish Republicanism are still waiting to GOVERNING being prepared gion. We are be realised. Until that day, Republicanism remains the unsur- for the next allowed to passable horizon of our time. However, this journal is also US. rogue builder ” c l i m b t h e very conscious that Irish Republicanism is at present facing to come in and mountain but a serious crisis. To attempt to solve this crisis, this journal build some cheap houses for the few can afford to do so. Few intends to regenerate what is best in the Irish Republican poor people of this area. But people living under the shadow tradition. We believe that what is most valid in it could be what struck me was the view the of the Europa can afford to summarised as the “three Ds:” defiance, defence and dissent. place had left for us to see and spend one night in its belly. Any society needs dissent from the structures of power, wonder at. Towering above the defence against the structures of power, and to defy the We spend billions of pounds small and neat houses, like two structures of power. Provisional Republicanism long enough each year on weapons. Each giants protecting those who can provided that until those ideas were “decommissioned” by year millions of children die afford entry into their bellies; people claiming to be Republicans. Failure to regenerate both from hunger, and from the reminding us that we are in the them today will allow Truceleers and Good Friday Soldiers weapons we spend billions on. place we belong. The giants even to use the Republican tradition to legitimise their own ends. More often than not whether in have their names boldly written Nowadays, it is “Republican” to recognise British rule in Ire- Western Europe, South Africa across their foreheads – Europa land, it is “Republican” to sit in Stormont. The concept of a or Palestine the biggest rogue and Russell Court. “transitional phase” towards a united Ireland is nothing but employers are the people tasked a metaphor for the transition of the Provisionals into the It reminds me of a time I sailed with governing us. l British administration. Deconstructing the rhetorical strate- gies and exposing the underlying tropes of their discourse The Blanket is no academic exercise. It is about reclaiming the discursive Macintologist MANAGING space of Irish Republicanism for dissent; and defending it Jeanie Bauer EDITOR Liam O’Ruairc from censorship and Direct Action Against Thought. This in 14882 Lambeth Square EDITORIAL Anthony McIntyre turn will facilitate the process through which the “three Ds” Centreville, VA 20120 BOARD Carrie Twomey USA · 703 802 5797 Seaghan Ó Murchu will be able to re-emerge and protect what is best in Irish [email protected] Tommy Gorman Republicanism from stagnation. Brendan Hughes Graphic Design Kevin Bean Liam O’Ruairc and Graphic System w Support Anthony McIntyre Graphic Application Design & Jeanie Bauer October 2001 Training Production [email protected] The Blanket exists to facilitate dialogue within the Irish republican family. Our differences will never defeat us so long p as we have the courage to air them.

2 The Blanket

TheBlanket 1.7 2-3 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Perhaps the children in Sierra Leone who are taken away from uthor’s hoice: Rogelio Alonso their villages by the Army, drugged and trained to kill All of a sudden, after 11 Septem- the cynical combination of their own would have something A JUST WAR? ber Tony Blair and George Bush bombs and food. Previous inter- to say about their rights too. have remembered that Afghan national experiences showed Chema Caballero is a Spanish oya is 23 years of age. are also human beings. It was how that kind of aid is never missionary who has lived in She is a member of particularly repulsive to hear going to reach the starving and the African country for some Z RAWA, the Revolution- both of them justifying their so most needed population. As hap- years. He is in charge of a proj- ary Association of the Women called “War on Terrorism” in pened in the past, it may even ect which tries to rehabilitate of Afghanistan. I met her in the name of the Afghan people kill some of them when they try children who have been made July at a conference on “Vio- that the Taliban have oppressed. to reach it. Humanitarian agen- soldiers at a very early age – lence and Religion” at which The Taliban conquered Kabul cies have denounced the action some are as young as four. Sierra she shocked all the partici- in 1996, but it seems that all pointing out that American Leone’s civil war has caused pants. Her voice was calm and those years in between and all deliveries will disrupt food tens of thousands of victims and her life, as the lives of Afghan the cruelty that has taken place programmes and will raise amputees but this country who women, absolutely harrowing. since then never mattered. prices worsening the already is one of the main sources of dia- She showed us a video recorded terrible situation endured by monds in the world doesn’t fit in On the same day that the by one of the members of her the Afghans. the current “War on Terrorism” organisation. atrocities in New York and waged by the so called “interna- Washington took place, it has In the middle of this world- tional coalition.” Chema works Under the “burka” that Afghan been estimated that over 30,000 wide hypocrisy it was disap- and lives with children who women are obliged to wear in children died of hunger in the pointing to hear somebody like have murdered their own par- order to cover their body the world. We haven’t heard much Fr. Aidan Troy saying that ents. As part of the ritual to RAWA member had carried a of them and we haven’t seen a Northern Ireland together with initiate them, these children small video camera. The film “War on hunger and poverty.” If Afghan-istan are the only coun- are brain washed and ordered showed the executions that the political will existed this tries in the world where children to murder a relative. Then they on a weekly basis take place enemy would be easier to defeat are denied the right to education. must sever a limb which they in Kabul’s football stadium. than Osama Bin Laden, but A man who is tirelessly working will always carry with them We saw human beings gather- probably it wouldn’t require the for a resolution of the disgrace- because - so they are told - it will ing in the capital enjoying the display of the war machinery ful protest in Ardoyne and who protect them while in combat. slaughter of other human beings. the Americans are arrogantly has worked in some of the most They are children too but we We saw a Taliban pointing his displaying on our TV screens. deprived countries in the world don’t care enough to do any- AK47 to a woman on her knees before coming to Belfast should The ultimate insult by the thing about them. l before her body fell on the know better. ground surrounded by blood. American government has been Some minutes later we saw what Zoya described as “the camel’s dance.” A man had his throat Featuring interviews with cut. Regulars to this horren- Tommy Gorman, Brendan dous show of death were particu- larly happy to see the deceased’s Hughes, Eamonn McDermott, body move while the decapi- Anthony McIntyre, Tommy tated head, separated from the body, made noises similar to McKearney, and Mickey McMullen those camels make. The inferno went on and one including Available from Republican Voices hand’s amputations. PO Box 31, Zoya had been showing that video around the world. But Belfast other than shock she had got BT 12 7EE very little help from govern- ments and politicians. Some Stg£5 or Irl£7.50 weeks before the Taliban had (+P&P £2) made international headlines because some Buddhist statues or email: [email protected] had been blown up in Afghan- for more details istan. Zoya was disgusted that the human rights violations of Afghan women had not Readers comment on Republican Voices — ‘I would just like to say received so much attention. At the end of the summer hun- that having picked up a copy of ‘Republican Voices’ at the Michael dreds of Afghan refugees were Devine commemoration in at which Tommy McKearney spoke, stranded in Australian territo- rial waters. Nobody wanted that I thought it a brilliant piece of work. We really need this debate. them and nobody really cared — Regards, James Doherty. much about them.

Winter 2002 3

TheBlanket 1.7 2-3 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Q: How do you see the lay of Q: The GFA really has institu- the land for Republicans? tionalised sectarianism and it has also really brought out the A: I think it’s very interesting. I THE INTERVIEW sectarian elements in each of felt and still do believe that Sinn the parties in order to uphold it. Féin will go the whole way. I don’t This leads to the question, the think they have any intentions of Republic, if this movement does going back from this agreement. revolve around the ideal of the arian Price has been a life long Republican. As far as Republicanism goes, I Republic, can you see it transcend- She was jailed for her participation in the IRA wouldn’t consider SF of today M bombing campaign in England in 1973, went ing the sectarianism that has being republicans, I see SF as been brought to the fore and being on hunger strike and was force-fed for more than 100 being a nationalist party. And that’s something that Protestants in this days. She was released in 1980. by choice. For Republicanism I community would be attracted to, think we had a setback, I believe She left the Provisional Movement in 1998, due to dif- interested in, feel that they could that it’s fragmented. But I think ferences over the Peace Process. She is now chairperson have a place in it? Or do you that if we just stop and take stock, of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association think that what’s been going on in we can rebuild the Republican (IRPWA), and is active in the Thirty-two County Sover- terms of entrenching the sectari- Movement and probably it will eignty Movement (32 CSM). Carrie Twomey speaks to her anism will make that harder? be a stronger movement for this, about the past, present and future of Irish Republicanism. because the people who will be A: It will make that harder, but p in the Republican Movement will I don’t think that should stop be republicans, not nationalists or us from trying. Certainly I do militant Catholics. feel that the parties involved in more that their base would be is a greater gap between rich and the GFA – I wont say encourage Q: So in saying that, do you in the nationalist community poor, and in that sense the work- sectarianism but they play think that this movement you and therefore they feel that they ing class is more marginalised. on it very much to their own envision will come out of a have to consolidate and protect But I think that this is a world- advantage. That isn’t what I see Republican tradition rather their base. And I can understand wide phenomenon too. I don’t Republicanism being about. And than a defender tradition? that. But I think that within the think that it is limited to Ireland. I think that the Republicanism RM we must keep paramount A: Well, in many ways, the that I want to build is going to Q: What do you see contributing in everything that our war isn’t Provo movement, and I was be a secular republicanism that to it? with the Protestants at all or even a mem b er of everyone would the loyalists. It’s with the Brits. A: The large multinational com- it and have no feel i ncluded …THEY’VE SKIRTED Because that’s ultimately where panies throughout the world. The regrets about “ a n d I w o u l d the decision lay. If the British combined assets of the two hun- being a member A R O U N D E V E R Y hope that that decide to get out of the 6 coun- dred richest companies in the of it, but there would include ISSUE EXCEPT THE ties the loyalists wont have a say world are greater than the com- was an element the Protestant in it. And that’s why I would bined income of two thirds of the w i t h i n t h e com mu n it y. I CORE THAT REPUB- hope that if the Brits make a world’s population. They control P r o v o m o v e - don’t see why declaration of an intent to with- the world. ment that cer- LICANISM IS CON- P r o t e s t a n t s draw then Republicans and even ta in ly wou ld s h o u l d b e Q: Do you see any merit in the CERNED WITH AND the Loyalist community can h a v e b e e n excluded from anti-globalisation campaigns? start discussing the way forward a C a t h o l i c THAT IS THE ESTAB- republicanism. together. A: Yes. I am very sympathetic to defender ele- LISHMENT OF THE Q: Going back the protestors out there. m e n t a n d I Q: Can you see the British iden- to the defender t h i n k we a l l REPUBLIC. tity sitting side by side with the Q: How do you view the needs of ” tradition, with have to acknowl- Irish identity in the Republic? the loyalist working class? the increasing problems in North edge that. Yes, I do think that Belfast, the attacks in Short A: Absolutely, I have no problem A: I think that they are every this movement will be a purer Strand, the organised campaign with that. I have no problems bit as great, if not more than the movement because we realise of the UDA, and with elements of with the Orangemen marching nationalist working class. that what SF have done at the the IRA responding to it as well up and down the Shankill Road. moment is t hey’ve sk i r ted Q: Can Republicanism offer that is only going to add fuel to the The only problem I have is if they around every issue except the any-thing to the working class fire, and may as it progresses and are trying to enter Nationalist core that republicanism is loyalists? gets worse, it may have a similar areas. So if there is a Republic concerned with and that is the effect that ’69 had in firing up and they want to celebrate King A: I would hope so. I hope establishment of the Republic. people… Can you see this purer William or the Battle of the Boyne, that with Republicanism – not I think that now that the RM Republicanism that is based on I don’t have a problem with that. nationalism –they will see a would be concentrating on the republican ideals, how would it As a Republican, I have no hidden bright future for themselves in the one issue, that is of the greatest react to that kind of anger and agendas; it doesn’t bother me country of Ireland, that within importance. We can plaster that kind of motivation? if King James was beaten at the Republicanism, they could grow over cracks within society with Battle of the Boyne, because and blossom. Because I feel that if regard to equality agendas, A: Well there always is the it is a total irrelevance! this country is united, they would better social things for people danger and I know traditionally find the republicans to be their but the core issue has never been in the past republicanism would Q: Do you think that there is best friends. I wouldn’t want to addressed and certainly this have always come to the aid of a large level of marginalisation work within a State in which the GFA doesn’t address it. So yes, I the nationalist community when in the working class areas of Roman Catholic Church has a see it as a purer movement and a they have been attacked – I don’t Belfast? special place, Republicanism is better movement. believe that that has been really A: Certainly. I believe that there about a secular state. on a sectarian front. I think it’s

4 The Blanket

TheBlanket 1.7 4-5 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Q: What do you think of punish- the Provisionals that decommis- A: If you follow the Sinn Féin I was on hunger strike, and I did ment beatings and shootings? sioning is the line in the sand, and line, you are OK, if you don’t - what I had to do because the cir- they can’t cross that. That will watch your back. cumstances dictated it, I had no A: I don’t have any sympathy be for their grassroots to decide. other option. But it has been trans- for the so-called hoods, but I But in my view, they crossed the Q: There are so many different formed into some sort of myth. But don’t see punishment beatings line in the sand many years ago. organisations supporting ex- that doesn’t make me any greater and shootings as the answer to Their grassroots have told me prisoners. Why is support or better than any other prisoners. the problem. When you look at “decommissioning is THE line being so fragmented? As ex-prisoners, we should sit Sinn Féin, who’s a hood? The in the sand, they won’t cross it,” A: To be honest I think this down and talk and share our expe- one getting beaten or the one but I replied to them not to be is just a phenomenon of this riences, especially with younger giving the beating? There is a surprised if it did happen. campaign, because I do know generations of Republicans, that demand within the communities that in previous campaigns they can learn from it. But not to have something done, but we Q: Do you think that there has when prisoners came out there learn that we are some sort of icons, should reach young people in a been a change in the make-up of was only one Republican that we are different from every- different way, and try to channel the grassroots, and if so, does this family to move to and they were body else. We are just humans. their energy into more productive explain why so much has gone welcomed home. The difficulty We all had our bad days inside, but things. If they were more involved past them? now because of this so-called you kick yourself and go beyond. within their own communities, A: I think that over a number Peace Process, the wider The Blanketmen are heroes, but and did not feel so isolated, maybe of years, the Republican that does not mean that they did they would act differently. I think composition family has not suffer. What they did wasn’t that there is a danger that in the THEIR GRASS- of Sinn Féin’s “ b e e n f r a g - easy and to have it presented in a community trying to police itself, grassroots has mented, and way which makes light the actual they are exchanging one set of R O O T S H A V E changed. They if you do not human sacrifices that this has thugs for another. I think that are encouraging TOLD ME “DE- belong to the entailed, that would be wrong. there is a big danger there. I think more middle Provisional The Republican movement con- that when individuals take upon class people COMMISSIONING Movement you sists of the young men and women themselves to police, they have to to come into are ostracised who live in the same street as us, it be very careful. IS THE LINE IN the movement, and sidelined, is not some master race who lives Q: What’s your view of public because it is THE SAND, THEY and that hasn’t down in caves up in the hills, who demand for the Provo decommis- now respectable been the case are a breed apart. The RM is ordi- sioning? to be associated WON’T CROSS IT,” in the past. It’s nary people who do extraordinary with Sinn Féin. a sad thing. I things for what they believe in, A: Well, as a Republican, I have A lot of people BUT I REPLIED TO hope that the that’s where it gets its strength. no problem with whatever the think that if Provisional You have to remember that there Provisionals choose to do with they support THEM NOT TO BE M o v e m e n t are a lot of people within the their guns, because as I see it the Sinn Féin it SURPRISED IF IT will go back Republican Movement who are only people they use them against automatically to the ethos never identified as Republicans, are young nationalist men and means that they DID HAPPEN. of the wider who do sterling work in the back- certainly Republicans. The only are Republican. ” Republican ground, in whatever capacity they threat that Provisional guns pose But a vote for family. are working in, and they are really are to people who disagree with Sinn Féin today is not a vote for the backbone of RM, the unsung their strategy. I don’t think that Republicanism. A vote for Sinn Q: Do you think that there’s heroes, they are the people whose they pose any threat to the British Féin is a vote for Nationalism. enough discussion among ex- name will never go down in books, or the Loyalists. The Provisionals But a strong nationalist vote Republican prisoners of their who are never going to be sung use their guns to control their is nothing recent. Joe Devlin respective experiences? own communities, and as a threat about in songs, they are the back- always won in the 1930s and A: That’s a hard one to answer. to people who have a different bone of the RM. 1940s. I think that Sinn Féin Sometimes I think that discussions political analysis. So what they have moved ground, rather than of the experiences of prisoners are Q: A lot of people have become do with their weaponry doesn’t there has been a big influx in the being used for another agenda. I disillusioned and have walked really concern me. Republican family, or because notice that there is a commemora- away from Republican politics. Q: It seems that grassroots have many people have been converted tion coming up to commemorate How do you react to this fact? accepted concession after conces- to Republicanism. Kieran Doherty.I see that there What has made you take a stance? sion; do you think that they will Q: As chairperson of the IRPWA, are various social events organised decommission, and if so, will you are doing a lot of work with around that (stories from inside, A: It definitively is the easier there be any major reactions prisoners... etc). I would wonder if anybody is option. Certainly from my point against it? going to sit down and discuss why of view, it came to the point I felt A: I am very committed to work Kieran Doherty died on hunger A: I believe that the leadership that somebody had to speak out, it with the prisoners, because I have strike, why he made that sacrifice, of the Provisional movement have wasn’t right that true Republicans been in prison, and I know what and the implications that this has actually accepted decommission- be on the side lines and that every- it is like, and I feel that our prison- for today. I don’t think that this ing. I think that the problem they thing that had been fought for ers are being forgotten. Certainly will be discussed. I don’t think are having is how to sell it to and died for, all the sacrifices when I was on hunger strikes and that the hunger strikes and that their grassroots, or how they get that had been made were just irrel- protesting for my beliefs, I knew I whole period should be written round to their grassroots, how evant. Nobody was saying any- got people behind me and support- into folklore, and I think that they do it, and then tell their thing about it. That was what ing me and it meant a great deal to this the danger that is happening. grassroots they haven’t really compelled me to speak out and be me; I am just returning that. The reasons why people were on done it. Everything is sold to the politically active. However, I do hunger strike should be discussed grassroots as a “tactic.” It has Q: What about ex-prisoners, understand true Republicans walk- are their needs met? in a serious, not in a light way. been said to me by supporters of ing away and Continued on page 10

Winter 2002 5

TheBlanket 1.7 4-5 12/14/01, 3:23 AM here is a worldwide pro- from any hint of revolution. As tionships, out-sourcing, forced humanist and even ‘communist’ test movement develop- a well-known Sinn Féin friend self-employment, part-time and revolution. In doing this it T ing. It might end up in a told me recently ‘you don’t make temporary posts. This unfortu- makes a number of critical, and revolution… if we are not careful. many friends in America talking nately is not a new tendency here. even conventionally heretical, In confirmation of this we have about revolution.’ Our voluntary and community arguments. only to read the screaming tabloids sector knows this process only Exploring the early social and Firstly it suggests that the as they take up the cudgels for to well and unfortunately feels environmental campaigns of “Empire,” like the Internet, has their owners and controllers. Who obliged to pander to it. ‘small town and campus America’, no centre - it is a ‘non-place’. better promotes the interests of the usually against the Wal-marts From Naomi Klein’s perspective The conclusion of this particular working-class and the oppressed? or McD’s; bridging across to it is the collusion of, and the argument is that we do not have As we move away from the protests the national and international interplay among, these various a specific centre to storm, to take in Genoa at the recent ‘G8 summit’, protests such as those which tar- tendencies, the hidden forces that over. There is no Winter Palace in the aftermath of Seattle, , geted Shell Oil after the atrocious employ them and the political to attack as the Bolsheviks had Toronto, Prague, and Gothen- hanging of Nigerian structures that pro- in 1917. burg, the same his- author and anti-Shell tect them which have torically tried and Secondly, and just as activist Ken Saro- given rise to the activ- tested format is being critical, is the sugges- Wiwa, or the links ism, which, she says wheeled out. Anyone, tion that the working- between the Burma is sowing the seeds whether Environmen- class, the defined junta and the global of a genuine alterna- talist, Third World proletariat, no longer corporates, through tive to corporate rule. Debt relief protestors, exists in it’s classical, to the street ‘counter- Well to be honest she Socialists or Anar- or class form as out- summits’ which now doesn’t mention the chists, who dares lined by Marx. It is stalk our ‘world lead- political structures to bring their con- now the new, miscel- ers’ in politics and which protect them. cerns and questions laneous, and power- economics, Naomi That is a little piece onto the streets just ful ‘Multitude’. Klein tries to fit them I threw in. trying to be heard, is into an understand- Thirdly, and some- labelled as trouble- It is also the focus able and focused model of radical what less ingeniously given what maker or terrorist or even, God for another book that is centred international change. happens in the real world, they on the theme of globalisation. forbid, a communist. argue that the structures and lead- Claiming, with some superficial Perceived as a ‘sweeping history Two new books offering very ership of the global economy, rationale, that a group of corporate of humanist philosophy, Marxism different analysis of this global rather than being the all-powerful Goliaths have come together and and modernity that propels itself protest movement suggest that mechanism which has been por- now form a de facto global govern- to a grand political conclusion: this time the tabloids may not be trayed by the past two generations ment, she presents the book as an that we are a creative and too far wrong. The movement did of aged, despondent, and despair- ‘attempt to analyse and document enlightened species, and that not start in Seattle, nor is it likely ing ‘revolutionaries’, contains the forces opposing this corporate our his- tory is that of humani- to end in Genoa. Is it however the seeds of its own destruction. rule and to lay ty’s progress the prelude to a new historical From their perspective the politi- out the particu- towards the sei- epoch, the beginning of a new THE PASSAGE cal climate has never been more lar set of cultural “ zure of power global agenda developed across favourable for uprising by a ‘com- and economic from those the internet by the dispossessed TO E M P I R E munism which is Marxist, but conditions that who exploit and the caring? is bigger than Marx’. Shades of made the emer- it.’ (Observer AND ITS PRO- Marx indeed. Naomi Klein in her recently pub- gence of that 15/07/01; Ed lished book, No Logo, outlines opposition inevi- C E S S E S O F Vulliamy. P.23) The Empire we are faced with the history of the burgeoning table.’ And she The book is wields enormous powers of oppres- protest movement in great detail. does a very thor- GLOBALIZA- certainly creat- sion and destruction, but that fact There is little doubt that she has ough job of it. TION OFFER ing a stir in should not make us nostalgic in used the four years that went into certain circles any way for the old forms of domi- She examines in the research and writing of the in America. nation. The passage to Empire detail the surren- NEW POSSIBI- book to clearly identify the Brand Again it begins and its processes of globalization der of culture bullies and also those who have by examining offer new possibilities to the force and education LITIES TO THE them in their sights. the global econ- of liberation. to the needs of FORCE OF LIB- omy, named She initially tells us that the book the marketer; a Globalization, of course, is not one ‘the Empire’ is based on first hand observa- process that is thing, and the multiple processes ERATION. by authors tion and is not a book of predic- only just begin- ” that we recognize as globalization Michael Hardt, tions, it is ‘an examination of a ning here. She are not unified or univocal. Our an American academic, and largely underground system of then looks at how this process political task, we will argue, is not Antonio Negri who is now information, protest and planning, leads to corporate control of both simply to resist these processes but imprisoned in Italy because of a system already coursing with our bodies and our minds - their to reorganize them and redirect alleged links with the Italian activity and ideas crossing many censorship and obliteration of them toward new ends. The cre- Red Brigades among other national borders and several gen- the right to choose. As she sees ative forces of the multitude that things. It goes on to argue in erations’. It undoubtedly is that, it, this right to choose is not sustain Empire are also capable defence of ‘modernity’ and and worth reading for the insight. only set in terms of products and of autonomously constructing a makes the argument that the She then goes on to make those thoughts but is giving rise to the counter-Empire, an alternative globalised economy presents a very predictions she wanted to new labour market tendencies political organization of global greater opportunity than ever for avoid although staying well away of tenuous worker-employer rela- flows and exchanges.

6 The Blanket

TheBlanket 1.7 6-7 12/14/01, 3:23 AM cost, we have turned our anger, we should also remember that our confusions, and our anxieties oppression and greed still have a BOOK REVIEW inward. We have spent more time name, they still have an address. attacking and confronting each They need to be confronted other than confronting those who where they live as much as where oppress us. they oppress. And the reality is that they, and those who service Both these books make an them, live among us. ND THEY CALL IT A REVOLUTION – important contribution to this AIF ONLY: A TALE OF TWO BOOKS debate. They pose it from an Perhaps a quote from Ursula REVIEWED BY JIM McCORRY internationalist perspective. Franklin, Professor Emeritus, This is necessary, particularly University of Toronto puts our NO LOGO: Taking aim at the Brand Bullies when the daily demands of our struggle here into an international Naomi Klein; Flamingo. 2000 own struggle push us towards perspective in a very real sense: introversion. Allowing for the EMPIRE “I picture the reality in which need to play our part in the Michael Hardt. we live in terms of military international struggle against Antonio Negri; Harvard University Press. 2000 occupation. We are occupied the oppression and exploitation does way the French and Norwegians not however negate the need were occupied during World p for a fundamental debate, and War 11, but this time it is by an the interrelated confrontations army of marketeers. We have to with oppression in its various The struggles to contest and and beyond Empire.” reclaim our country from those subvert Empire, as well as those forms, in the here and now. This That is our challenge. That who occupy it on behalf of their to construct a real alternative, will is where we, each of us, will requires a debate, even if at global masters” thus take place on the imperial make our major contribution times it seems that debate has terrain itself - indeed, such new to the building of a new world Maybe she is right. Maybe we echoes of other discussions, struggles have already begun to liberation movement. Finance need to be asking who is really other arguments, of another emerge. Through these struggles, capital has long occupying our century, another time. Despite and many more like them, the been globalised. country, on the fact that there have been THEY NEED multitude will have to invent We here played “ whose behalf major changes in the structures new democratic our part in they are doing it, and control TO BE CON- forms and a that develop- and how we, the mechanisms new constitu- ment as the F R O N T E D ‘multitude’ who ...WE SHOULD of capital that ent power that “ multi-nationals are collectively we need to will one day stopped over WHERE THEY exploited and ALSO REMEM- understand take us through in the 1950’s oppressed, and address, L I V E A S and beyond BER THAT OP- on their way to can organise we have much Empire.” the next ‘cheap together to P R E S S I O N to learn from labour’ market. M U C H A S build our coun- They are un- those past We just did not WHERE THEY try, and our doubtedly right AND GREED debates, and see it. world, a world in one element from the experi- which is being P e r h a p s OPPRESS. AND of their proposi- STILL HAVE A ences, good destroyed by Michael Hardt tion. It is not and bad, which the ‘Empire’. NAME, THEY and Antonio THE REALITY simply that the flowed from Perhaps we Negri are right struggle has them. We have IS THAT THEY, need to share STILL HAVE w h e n t h e y only started. allowed others our experiences, write that ‘The It has been an with their AND THOSE of war and of AN ADDRESS. creative forces ongoing strug- ” vested interests peace. Maybe of the multi- WHO SERVICE gle for many of to throw out that means we tude that sus- us even if at times those engaged the baby with the dirty have to make tain Empire are THEM, LIVE in it do get depressed, or burnt bathwater. contact with also capable of out, or diverted. It is not that those others, in Perhaps the first thing we need to autonomously AMONG US. the struggle will only take place ” many countries accept is that it may be that no one constructing a on ‘the imperial terrain’. It will in the world, of us, no group or organisation, counter-Empire, an alternative indeed need to be an international who are also making their fight is completely right at all times in political organization of global struggle, but that is nothing new. for freedom even if it annoys either analysis or tactics or strategy. flows and exchanges.’ Perhaps It will however also need to take those who are at the heart of We should all however, have the the contradiction is that as we place in our communities, in our Empire. Even if sometimes option of pursuing our beliefs in share in the fruits of ‘the Empire’s’ workplaces, in our cultural, social they are presented by the comradeship and in a spirit of col- exploitation by buying and and economic centres, in all our media as ‘left-wing’ guerrillas. lective growth and development. wearing their sweated labour, logo relationships. Now where have I heard that Mistakes and failure also provide flaunting, commodities we are one before? The authors are undoubtedly right opportunities for learning. We also only shamefacedly beginning when they say our struggle will have much to learn and share with to really appreciate its power and Or is that being disloyal to those have to “invent new democratic each other. If there is one lesson potential for domination. In this who try to control us here in the forms and a new constituent power which stares us in the face it is awareness of the international name of freedom? l that will one day take us through that for too long, and at a shameful reality of capital’s latent misery

Winter 2002 7

TheBlanket 1.7 6-7 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Three Irish Anthologies Package Our Literary Past by Seaghan Ó Murchu of Constance, from the Gore-Booth surprises me, because I’d list at poetry unencumbered by intro- (Part One of Three) lineage, seeks to rouse us—as her least two of his own choices as in ductory or supplementary mate- Ferocious Humanism: An Interpre- family was from their aristocratic the pay of just such a post-GFA rial, footnotes, or—in the Dies tative Anthology from Before Swift comfort to aid victims of the famine, sinecure.) Irae excerpt from Eoghan Ó and as she was to aid the rebels of Tuairisc’s Aifreann na Marbh—lack to Yeats and After. W. J. McCor- McCormack, who as Hugh Maxton 1916 and the destitute for decades of translation as mack, editor (London: J. M. Dent, engaged him- after. Now belonging to the National Béarla. And the 2000). U.S. title: Irish Poetry (New self as a poet Museum, it is an heirloom rather dustjacket’s coy York: New York University Press, within the mael- ...THE DUSTJACKET’S than a call to arms. Canonised, “ arousal of a 2000). xxvi. 355 pages. strom—arriving demilitarized, a belonging to history frisson of vicar- in Derry to COY AROUSAL OF A The Penguin Book of Irish Fiction. rather than the present. Do poets ous rebellious- teach just Colm Toibin, editor (London and meet the same fate, once confined FRISSON OF VICARIOUS ness, the excite- before Bloody New York: Viking Penguin, 1999). within an anthology? (He includes ment felt by a Sunday, and REBELLIOUSNESS… xxxvi. 1085 pages. Yeats, but no Countess.) ” reader plunged who as himself into the intel- Irish Writing in the Twentieth McCormack’s selections likewise has long writ- lectual’s don- Century: A Reader. David Pierce, investigate the junction where ten incisively upon the issues of ning of the Fenian’s bandolier, the editor (Cork: Cork University the studied response meets with Irish literary resistance and accep- poet taking up the pistol: this is not Press, 2000). xliv. 1351 pages. the sudden reality. The poets tance in the period from Swift and sustained by a careful inspection he includes all navigate the Burke up to the present, offers ountess Markievicz, pistol of the book’s contents. Beneath edge between (dis)engagement his personal choice of poets who by her side: her photo its assertive title and insouciant C glowers from with the struggle largely agree with his own stance packaging, its poets insist that and (dis)comfort of contemplative dissent. Viewing the dustjacket of W. the gun be reholstered, and the at assuming such this attitude as characteristic of J. McCormack’s col- uniform replaced by a more fitting, a certainty as the Irish poetry worthy of that noun lection of Irish and pacific, choice of attire. The physical-force tradi- and adjective, his roll-call serves poetry. Colm Toib- editor tells us that the rebellion tion expects of its largely as a compact illustration in’s volume’s wrap- is over, and implies such as the recruits. From the of his own critical and political per brushes Marion Countess might better serve the last of the Gaelic position. While this edition suits Deutscher’s swatches causes of peace. l of blood red and deep Munster bards, Ó best those already familiar with the violet striped over a Rathaille and Ó individual poets and their context, Parts 2 & 3 of this series will appear Bruadair, through it is not as helpful for the beginner. canvas-muted back- in upcoming issues. ground. For David the 18th and 19th Unless the novice wishes to read Pierce’s tome, details century Anglo-Irish intelligentsia, up of Kathy Prender- Continued from page 1 hunger strikes the Sinn Féin lead- gast’s “Land” reveal an oilclothed through last century’s variety of sheet dappling ripples of water blue native responses, McCormack well and maybe even to scoop up ership has not missed an opportu- over a desert-gold crinkled terrain celebrates the end of what his title some of the resulting kudos. nity at the many commemorations. of deep rifts and slight elevations. presents as an oxymoron for all of We were all informed that this The following Sunday the streets Such depictions signal the inten- us—not merely poets—to ponder: is the most “revolutionary leader- of Dublin were once again tions of these three anthologies. the preference of anger or restraint, ship” ever and that those who died Arriving to close the last century, revolt or reconciliation, idealism resounding to the stomp of march- would, without doubt have swung each gathers up wheat from the or pragmatism. ing feet as thousands turned out in behind the present policies. chaff of the past. And each of the Few of McCormack’s choices to pay homage to ten IRA men three attempts to package the frac- Leaving aside the fact that three of astonished me. All can be found, who had given their all during tured Irish experience within the the dead were not from the Provo with perhaps the exceptions of a the War of Independence. Having covers of a book likely to be used “party song“ or two with which he axis this is a highly dubious claim by students and teachers as well lain for over eighty years in prison concludes his volume, in print else- from a party that has expressed its as the diligent and curious reader clay they were at long last given where. But is this not precisely an readiness to ‘administer British who seeks pleasure and instruction anthologist’s purpose? To gather due recognition through a state rule in Ireland for the foreseeable from those judged best among the into a bouquet, a arrangement, funeral and re-interment in more island’s past and present prolific future’. That these men, who died the scattered flowers and twigs fitting resting places. The Fianna scribblers, ranters, and ravers. And lying neglected in the literary rather than criminalise themselves Fail government had arranged the quieter folks, those scattered garden except to a few careful and our struggle, would be at all in the diaspora (in Pierce), na Gael- for the exhumation and re-burial observers? (cf. medieval collec- at home in a movement that is tachtai (in McCormack), and the of the volunteers. This belated tions—known as Florilegia.) By becoming more and more tied mainstream (in Toibin). arranging these 130 individually gesture had more to do with out up in criminal activity and with Ferocious Humanism certainly grown poems into chronologically “Sinn-Feigning” Sinn Féin that dodgy diesel is a highly conten- aims to provoke. Can culture be ordered Irish responses to “out- genuine concern for the families reconciled with the cult of the gun? rage,” McCormack argues that tious idea. The cover photo confronts us with poets have resisted the rhet- of ten IRA men. But then when has truth and integ- an image far from the abstractions orician’s appeal and the easy This use of coffins as political sell-out of the doggerel-spouting rity ever got in the way of a good painted for these other two collec- platforms is nothing new in Irish tions. But an image as posed, as “sham shamans” in the pockets party political broadcast, even one politics. Throughout this 20th calculated, and as iconic as those on of “the Minister for Triviculture made from atop the coffins of our or Touraculture.” [xiii] (Which anniversary year of the H Block canvas or easel. The studio portrait patriot dead? l

8 The Blanket

TheBlanket 1.7 8-9 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Go Surrender? Unionism and Decommissioning By Sam Gilchrist years? When Sinn Féin has signed secret armies. Perhaps the great- Féin is willing to treat its new up to the principle of consent and est value decommissioning has friends in such a cavalier fashion, ay back in 1986, the sits in a partitionist assembly? for unionism though, is an emo- how can its word be trusted with New Society colum- Sinn Féin likes the institutions tional and symbolic one. For them, its traditional enemies, runs the W nist Martyn Harris so much that there was even the decommissioning would bring unionist argument. Republicans described Unionist political strat- suggestion that British ministers a sense of balance to the peace too have pointed to Unionist egy in the bluntest of terms; it could be slotted into Unionist process. Nationalist gains seem hypocrisy in relation to Loyalist required little rigorous analysis for seats when the latter evacuate much more tangible; there are paramilitaries; the latter have it amounted to no more than the their Executive positions. This ministerial feet under tables, there always been on the fringes of the pursuit of communal superiority. is a long way from the traditional is reform of the RUC, and cross decommissioning spotlight. In the It was “simplicity itself. It is about Provisional analysis. Republicans border institutions have sprung up recent past, Unionists might have keeping out the Taigs.” Whilst the argue that their concessions to the in a variety of areas. All these inno- countered that loyalists weren’t political landscape has changed process have been sweeping. It was vations are essentially invulner- going to be administrating in gov- radically since the “Ulster says in March 1998 that able as long as the peace process ernment and therefore the focus No” campaigning of the 1980s, emphasized that his bottom line chugs along at even a modest pace. had to be on Republicanism. this notion of an ingrained inabil- was the disbandment of the RUC; In contrast, the The campaign ity on the part of Unionism to the retention of Articles two and gains which I F S I N N F É I N I S of pipe bomb- embrace change, and to counte- “ three; powerful, stand alone cross Unionism can ing and sectarian nance the inclusion of Nationalists border institutions and a form of point to seem WILLING TO TREAT assassination by and Republicans in government, all-Ireland police and courts. A mostly in the strands within can still bubble and percolate ITS FRIENDS IN SUCH month later this bottom line had hands of the Loyalism has within the Republican analysis. slipped right of the page and into Provisionals changed that Unionist stalling on the imple- A CAVALIER FASHION, nothingness. themselves; the profoundly. The mentation of the Good Friday increasing con- actions of the Agreement has been presented What then is the Unionist prob- HOW CAN ITS WORD stitutionalism of UDA are being as “not wanting to have a fenian lem? It’s true that for anti-Agree- Sinn Féin and BE TRUSTED WITH seen as an about the place” and the dismis- ment Unionists, decommissioning the snapping of attempt to sive overriding of Sinn Féin’s man- has an instrumental value rather the cutting edge ITS TRADITIONAL simply chest date; truculent phrases about un- than a strategic one. It is an easy of ‘armed strug- beat in front of housetrained Republicans have stick with which to beat the peace ENEMIES? gle’ can theoret- ” the UVF and done nothing to dispel this view process. But for those who voted ically be changed by votes in the provoke republicans into retali- of an obscurantist Unionism. The ‘yes’, it has enormous significance. ard fheis and the Army Council. In ation. Unionism is unsettled by decommissioning imperative of Disarmament would fulfil several practical terms, this is obviously this; it doesn’t want to see lamp- Unionism is seen as a red her- functions for Unionists. Firstly, highly unlikely, but Unionism posts turned into battle standards ring, to draw attention from the it would fill an ethical hole in the requires something concrete to as loyalists mark their spheres of Unionist resistance to change, institutions. In twenty five years, prove that the war is over. The influence, and it doesn’t want to and also provides a useful stick the Provisionals killed seventeen scrap metal of decommissioned see retaliation, which will mean, with which to chastise Sinn Féin hundred people in an attempt to arms would provide ballast useful well, dead prods. Loyalist dis- whenever the political need arises. lever Unionists out of the UK. Now in settling Unionism within the sidents are seen to be playing Republicans seem bewildered their political wing sits in govern- fluctuating waters of the process. with the peace for short term gain at Unionist foot dragging when ment with a private army that is The fear that Republicanism and to embarrass the Provos. If they can so readily point to the (mostly) intact. To Unionists, this might return to war has been pres- this means that decommissioning massive ideological concessions does not sit well with notions of ent within Unionism, but declined will be pushed further away, then that they have themselves made. peace and good government, and over the years as Sinn Féin reaped that strand within Loyalism might Why does Unionism need proof in this they can point to Fianna the electoral dividends of peace. have to watch out for itself. The of republican bona fides when the Fail’s attitude to sharing power But it is a niggling fear none- ‘specifying’of the LVF/UFF cease- IRA has maintained a ceasefire with Sinn Féin, as a clear indicator theless, and was partially jump fire met with a nod of approval for five and a half of the last seven of how societies at peace relate to started by the arrest of three within Unionism. But then the Republicans alleged to have been UDA already knew that. Who helping to train FARC guerrillas. could believe that the failure of The Blanket To Unionism, this is proof positive the UDP to contest elections as a A journal of protest and dissent that the Provisionals are keeping political entity was the result of their options open and do not clerical error? On Earth: Belfast want to sever links to guns, money, Unionism needs to be loaded On the Web: http://lark.phoblacht.net and smuggling contacts. with the deadweight of weaponry By e-mail: [email protected] What really stuck in the Unionist to anchor itself in the process – craw about the FARC revelations Republicans may see Unionist The Blanket website is updated frequently and carries was the sheer arrogance of it all. fixation with guns as a destabi- many more articles and commentary. Be sure to Sinn Féin spent years glad hand- lising fetish, but they might ask subscribe to the e-mailing list to keep updated. ing US officials, schmoozing with themselves if they aren’t holding corporate America, and rattling on to them for similar symbolic, The Blanket project exists as a commitment to tins in front of Irish American and emotional reasons. Maybe the freedom of speech. Its purpose is to facilitate groups yet still took the chance on ballast can be shared. l analysis, debate and discussion, to resist censorship, collaborating with a group which the State Department refers to as Sam Gilchrist is a Unionist and to create the space for a diversity of views. Marxist narco terrorists. If Sinn commentator

Winter 2002 9

TheBlanket 1.7 8-9 12/14/01, 3:23 AM Continued from page 5 closing the this deal, but the Sinn Féin leader- force the movement down that A: At the start of this so-called door. That has happened in the ship were there thirty years ago path no matter what. peace process, I had great concerns, past. Because when you do speak when that other deal was on the Q: It was dishonest? but like many Republicans I was out, you are vilified, and life is table, and they were part of the prepared to let them run with it for made as difficult as possible for Republican movement that rejected A: I think that there was a lot of a while, to see where it was going. you. I just think that I have come to it. I want to know what has changed dishonesty around the whole so- That was the case for a few years. I terms with that, I am prepared to to make this deal acceptable. called negotiations. There were was prepared to trust the leadership live with that. But I do understand contacts being made between cer- Q: If the Provisional leadership in place that this was the best road. that other Republicans feeling so tain individuals in the Republican had been honest and said, “We lost, When the Framework Principles, disheartened want to walk away. Movement with the British, and but we can’t do better, this is the and the Mitchell Principles were I can understand that, because I this was done behind the back of best that we can get,” would that presented, I saw the writing on the went through all those emotions. other individuals in the RM who have been acceptable to you? wall, and thought there’s nothing I think that we have to speak were under the impression that the for us in this, now is the time to out. We can’t let A: It would have war was going to be fought to the get out of this, this is just a cul it go down in been more accept- bitter end. I feel that the leadership de sac. history that this “ WE AS REPUBLICANS able than what decided where it was going, and was what the they present has dragged along the movement Q: Where you threatened by the war was fought HAVE TO GO OUT AND today, as if they yelling and screaming, and if people Provisionals? were screaming too loud, they were for, and that is SAY, ‘THIS IS A LIE, THIS had some sort of A: Yes I was. A member of the what is being victory. My alter- side-lined very quickly. Provisionals visited my home to tell native to what sold to people: IS NOT WHY THE WAR Q: Freedom of speech and expres- me that the fact that I was express- they have done that there was a sion is guaranteed by the GFA. ing views that were critical of Sinn would have been thirty years war WAS FOUGHT.’” How do you see them in practice? Féin, was not tolerable, and that I fought for what that if they had should better keep my mouth shut. we have today, come to the con- A: They’ll uphold your right to Those visits continued for quite and this is such a blatant lie. We as clusion that the war was going freedom of speech as long as you a number of weeks, but I made it Republicans have to go out there nowhere, that we couldn’t win – say what they want you to. I think perfectly clear to them that I wasn’t and say, this is a lie, this is not why rather than lost – the right thing to it’s a joke. going to be intimidated by them. I the war was fought. We have to get do would been to have the moral Q: Is freedom of expression some- hadn’t let the British intimidate me, it recorded in history that this is courage to say “the war is over, and thing important to Republicans? and I wasn’t going to be intimidated not what Republicanism is about, we didn’t win.” They should have by the Provisionals. this is not what sacrifices were had the moral courage to do that. A: I would say so. I don’t think made for. When I talk of sacrifices, Once they’ve done that, I think that that freedom of speech is of any Q: Why do you think that the I do not only speak only of the would have opened up a variety threat to Republicanism, and cer- Provisionals have to keep threaten- sacrifices made by the Republican of avenues to them, they wouldn’t tainly think that it should be open ing people such as yourself while movement, I am talking of the sac- have been trapped in the cul de sac to criticism, and open to hearing you have given so much to the rifices made throughout the coun- in which they are now stuck. If other points of view. I don’t have a movement? try, the civilian population had they had made that courageous problem with people saying what A: Whatever you’ve given to the made, that we in the Republican declaration that the war is over they feel or what they think. Republican movement counts Movement have killed. I do not because we couldn’t win it, I Q: How did you get to where you for nothing, if you’re not a “Yes” apologise for any actions taken by think that they could have then are to day? person within the Provisional the Republican Movement, but I regrouped and decided what is the Movement of today, everything always believed that the justification best way forward. They didn’t then A: I come from a very strong else is disregarded. If you don’t for it was that we were fighting for have to go in the British establish- Republican family. In many ways, go along with the leadership, it a greater cause, and that in many ment and agree to run and take I was born into it. But in saying doesn’t matter what you’ve done ways, the end justifies the means. part in the British rule in the Six that, I don’t think that I have blind in the past, you’ re completely But now, we’re being told that this is Counties. Throughout history, loyalty to Republicanism. I think disregarded. If this leadership is the end. But this end didn’t justify Republicans have never lacked the that in your life there comes a time so convinced that it is in the right any of the means that have been moral courage to admit when they when you question everything and path, I don’t understand why used. Sunningdale was actually couldn’t win, and Republicans have to make your own decisions they won’t debate with others, be better than what we have on offer have always stood by the move- as to what is best for you and what upfront about things and let us today! But, a long war has been ment when the movement made is right and wrong, and in my teen- all put all our cards on the table fought, many thousands of people that courageous decision, it hap- age years, I did come to that point and air our grievances, and if have died, people have spent entire pened in the 1940s, in the 1950s. in my life, where I questioned a we are so wrong in our analysis, lives in prison, lives have been shat- There were no reasons why lot about Republicanism. I think let them explain to us why we tered, people died on hunger strike, the present leadership couldn’t that although I was born in it, are so wrong. We are prepared but a better deal was on offer before have said to the movement, we I then had to “renew our bap- to argue with them, if they are so this; but Republicans said no to cannot take it any further, and the tismal vows at Bodenstown” as convinced that they are right, why that deal, because it wasn’t what movement would have certainly they say. There comes a point in can’t we all talk about this? Why Republicanism is all about. I can’t accepted it. There would have your life where you have to make is there this conspiracy of silence, begin to understand how anybody been no split or anything. The the decision to be a Republican. where no one is allowed to speak that has been in the movement movement would have regrouped Luckily, I found the answer in out? Or if someone speaks out, for all these years can turn round and said “That’s not working. the Republican Movement, and they are vilified? and say “right, we’re running with Where do we now go from here?” was able to renew my “baptism this deal” after all that has hap- It could have gone ahead as a of vows.” Q: Do you have any regrets? pened before. I don’t understand. united movement. Instead, certain Q: When did you break with the A: None In some ways, I can understand that individuals decided, this is the Provos? a younger generation can accept path that it is going down, and Q: How do you view the future?

10 The Blanket

TheBlanket 1.7 10-11 12/14/01, 3:23 AM A: Unfortunately I see a long Q: Do you think that Republican to show that the core issue has on the street, “Well, at least no hard struggle coming. I know that objectives can be achieved by purely never been addressed, and until one is getting killed,” and if you when I joined the Republican political means? it is addressed, nothing else will reply “But what we’ve got today Movement and the IRA and ended work. The core issue is the British is a complete sell-out,” they say A: I don’t know, I have to say that. up in prison, I was always confi- presence in Ireland, and until it “but no one is dying.” And that is But coming from the background dent in the thought that my genera- is addressed, through a British true, but then what was the point I come from, if there are people tion would be the last generation. declaration of intent to withdraw, of starting in the first place? I do who believe that it can’t be and History and events on the ground the basic problem will remain. think that, as history proves it, want to try other means, I won’t proved me wrong. But I hope that when so-called revolutionaries be the person who is going to say Q: What do you make of the fact new Republicans will feel as I become the establishment, they that they are wrong, because I that people are backing the GFA? did when I joined the Republican become more establishment than was at the stage in my life where I movement, and will be encour- A: You’re hearing people say the establishment ever was. l believed that armed struggle was aged by the principles and ideals the way forward. There are other and the quality of people around people who think that. them, and also by the history of The Turkish Hunger Strike Republicanism and the sacrifices Q: Short term future? And International Solidarity that have been made, that this will A: A lot of hard work. We have a now we have seen that fight also encourage them in thinking that by Davy Carlin growing number of prisoners to taken to homes in solidarity, from Republicanism is the only way be looked after. We in the 32CSM, While watching a Armutlu to Sefakoy. The death fast forward. I fervently believe that we have a lot of hard work to do, recent TV documen- continues, forged by commitment, Republicanism is the only viable W tary on the 1981 dedication, willpower and belief option for the people Ireland. hunger strike I caught a glimpse to each other, their struggle and of a young black child looking their ideas. Continued from page 1 hundred years existence, Irish nervously into a coffin. Twenty years on as I sit on the Belfast Fighting back means then stand- not remain identical in the future. Republicanism has gone through committee to build support for ing up not only to the brutal The youth of Ardoyne and those a number of crisis; but has always the Turkish hunger strike I try to Turkish regime but to the very protesting against racism and managed to recover from them recollect my young thoughts as I politic that supports and feeds exclusion in the South are there to and go forward. The present looked into that coffin of hunger it. The western governments and prove it. But the fact that at present crisis is no different. It can be striker Bobby Sands. The images especially America arm, fund and no significant section of the people asserted with relative confidence of that time are etched firmly onto train the Turkish military machine North and South are mobilised that in due time, Irish Repub- my mind. while they mention little of what and the majority of the popula- licanism will once again arise is happening to the DHKP-C, the tion demobilised from its ashes. Those who assert Twenty years on it has given TKP-ML or the TKIP because make the emer- that this period such inspiration to the Turkish it benefits them politically. They gence of a credi- “IT CAN BE ASSERTED of history sees hunger strikers with some who mention little also about the plight ble radical oppo- the death agony were involved in the Irish hunger WITH RELATIVE of the Kurds as it would run coun- sition difficult. of Irish Republi- strikes now providing solidarity. ter to their strategic interests and People are tired canism, as it was CONFIDENCE THAT IN Today the main demands are four- they say little of Turkeys human of politics in gen- argued above, fold. Firstly the closure of the spe- rights record as it would not tally eral, they have over-estimate DUE TIME, IRISH cial F-type prisons which create with their foreign policy interests been betrayed by the ability of the isolation cells. Incidentally of the region economically. the politicians REPUBLICANISM WILL the British it should be noted such a policy Turkey recently has taken out a so many times. and 26-County of these high security isolation ten billion pound loan with the Increasing EU ONCE AGAIN ARISE states to create prisons have been condemned IMF which comes with severe integration and and implement FROM ITS ASHES. by numerous international orga- measures attached to it. So we globalisation are ” reforms and nizations as it has proven to be shall see the deepening of the pain also challenges to underestimate detrimental to both physical and and poverty of the working class the traditional Republican project Irish Republicanism’s ability to mental well-being. and poor along with the intensifica- of establishing a sovereign nation- sustain and develop itself. How- tion of repression of persons and state. Those are objective factors ever, what remains to be seen The second demand of the prison- organizations. that threaten Irish Republicanism is under what form Republican- ers is for the abolition of law 3713 with becoming an anachronism ism will re-emerge, under a fun- used against trade unionists or The ideology behind the Turkish and an irrelevancy if it is not damentalist or a progressive one. people sympathetic to revolution- struggle cannot be abstracted from able to develop. But time and The crisis of Irish Republicanism aries on the grounds of ‘aiding the increasing practicalities of this again, Irish Republicanism has is perhaps less related to objec- terrorism’. Thirdly the abolition period while they give the ultimate shown great ability to adapt itself tive problems than subjective of the state security courts; and sacrifice for those ideas. For revo- to changing circumstances. Even ones. The fundamental problem fourthly investigations into mur- lutionaries our support is crucial if it operates in difficult circum- is that an alternative strategy ders and torture of prisoners. but so also is the understanding stances, its strength and ability and political vision that would of the system that has forced such regenerate Irish Republicanism The recent footage from Turkey to regenerate are not to be under- showed the true brutality of one of sacrifice, and why collectively with estimated. is very slow to emerge. Where our class we need to organize our we can be confident is that Irish Americans main military benefac- tors. On top of this we have the stance against such a politic of The fundamental question is Republicanism has proved itself brutality. l whether this present conjuncture to have a progressive potential states response to the growing sup- port and resistance. They release is just a crisis of Irish Republican- and be able to evolve. On that Davy Carlin is a Marxist activist cur- ism – albeit a serious one – or basis, let us develop that vision prisoners on ‘death fast’ to attempt rently involved in organising support its death agony. During its two and strategy. l to break that very resistance. So for the Turkish hunger strike.

Winter 2002 11

TheBlanket 1.7 10-11 12/14/01, 3:24 AM Taking Sides In The War On Modernity AUTHORS by Kevin Bean metal of Bin Laden’s obscurantism for freedom will be powerful agen- fter the initial shock of into the pure gold of progressive, cies in consolidating the political THIS ISSUE September 11th come the anti-capitalism. New York and and social status–quo. This war- A attempts to understand. Washington were targeted not like atmosphere will encourage us Kevin Bean is an author American politicians talk of a only as the symbols of aggressive to think in terms of a Manichean and co-editor of world that ‘will never be the same American power, but also as signi- world in which an unseen, face- “Republican Voices”. He again,’ of a new type of war against fiers of Western values and moder- less enemy awaits around every a new type of enemy. The ‘civi- nity itself. corner. Attempts will be made to frequently writes on Irish lized world’ is enjoined to line up stifle dissent and rational critique affairs Osama Bin Laden’s methods behind the United States in its with the politics of paranoia. of struggle will not overthrow defence of freedom against the evil Rogelio Alonso is a American imperialism or end the In these ways September 11th forces of ‘terrorism personified’ Spanish academic doing Israeli occupation of Palestine. did change the world-but in many in the frail, menacing figure of research at the QUB The world it wants to win other ways the world system con- Osama Bin Laden. Institute of Irish Studies offers nothing to the poor, the tinues to revolve in the same old These themes are repeated ad oppressed and the excluded of the orbit. The response of American Jim McCorry is a nauseam as the United States Arab world. Taliban–con- trolled Imperialism to the attacks is the community activist and and British military operations Afghanistan is not a beacon of only possible one for a Great writer. begin against Afghanistan; we hope for anyone. Power when faced with lese maj- are subjected to a high altitude estie by an insurgent group that However, socialists and repub- Tommy Gorman is a propaganda bombardment which starkly revealed the vulnerability licans can give no support to Republican ex-prisoner pounds us into identifying any of the world’s only remaining the armed actions of the United and works in the opposition or even slight reserva- super-power. States and Britain in Afghanistan. community sector tion about the policy with support Although couched in the language In this ‘new world’ the ground for the Taliban and Osama Bin of human rights and progress this on which we must stand is neces- Brendan Hughes is a Laden. campaign is an attempt to control sarily narrow. But conflicts of well-known Republican It is not unusual for socialists refractory elements along the this type represent the future of veteran and former and republicans to take an unpopu- borders of the empire. As the world politics; battle lines will hunger-striker lar, isolated position. Indeed many world’s dominant power the be blurred and confusion and of us could be United States contradiction will replace the old Anthony McIntyre is almost defined a Republican ex-prisoner, THE JOB OF is acting to con- certainties of a bi-polar conflict. as congenital “ trol opposition As we attempt to develop a new and has written oppositionists L I B E R A T I N G T H E and incor- politics that addresses these extensively on Irish who instinc- porate its issues of the new world order Republicanism tively oppose A F G H A N P E O P L E enemies into we have to take these complexi- any action car- its imperium– ties into account. A good start Marian Price is ried out by the B E L O N G S TO T H E just as other to the process of redefinition chairperson of the IRPWA United States empires have of our politics is to assess the A F G H A N P E O P L E and a member of the and its British done before it events of September 11th by 32CSM sidekicks. So THEMSELVES. Britain has, of reference to some of the first opposition to ” course, been principles of the modernity and Liam O Ruairc studied a military cam- here before; it’s the Enlightenment from which philosophy and paign that pits the most modern their fourth Afghan War and they our philosophies of socialism management and is the of destructive technology in have had plenty of experience in and republicanism spring. In author of a number of an obscene bombing campaign controlling the ‘lesser breeds with- the war against modernity we articles on republican against the lightly armed popula- cannot stand on the sidelines. out the law’. Not only is the aim politics tion of one of the poorest counties of this campaign not to genuinely We defend and advance the ideas on earth is both easy and right liberate the Afghan people – a U.N. of human emancipation and prog- protectorate or a puppet Northern ress. But we don’t simply identify But the moral indignation of the Alliance government seem likely modernity and progress with Guardian reading liberal is not options at the moment – but the American capitalism and its for- enough –whether it is applied to job of liberating the Afghan people eign policy. Our narrow ground George Bush or Osama Bin Laden. belongs to the Afghan people is one that pits us against both We need to go beyond condemna- themselves. Freedom given at the Bin Laden and Bush; as the new tion and outrage to the more dif- whim of the Great Powers is no wars of the twenty first century ficult and narrower ground of freedom at all. unfold the creation of a meaning- analysis and explanation. Beyond ful political analysis and the the rhetoric of politicians pander- The other feature of opposition to development of forces to trans- ing to the clamour for revenge lie the United States armed campaign late that analysis into political some simple truths. The attacks of is its implications for domestic reality will be difficult. But the September 11th do represent an politics in the West. The identifi- imperatives of our intellectual attack on modernity. No amount cation of any dissent with ‘terror- and political heritage mean that of cynicism about the stale slogans ism’, the threats to civil liberties we can do no other. Battle is of Bush and Blair can hide this from state repression, and the joined and we must continue the fact; no amount of Marxist led- mobilization of the population fight for the future. l germain can transmute the base behind the slogans of a crusade p

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