Detroit 199F-1790 / Chicago Murphy · p.71

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preserve the state. Since then, successive British governments have
government to 'maintain civil order' at a time when the people in the
solemnly pledged to "Keep Ulster British", in line with the majority
Catholic ghettoes of Derry and Belfast had organized themselves to
wishes. The Loyalist majority is Britain's justification for keeping
beat back armed invasion by those other 'peacekeepers', the RUC
lreland divided.
and the B.Specials. In order to prevent a state of open war. the
British army moved in to assist the RUC. At first some Catholics
COULDN'T BRITAIN JUST GIVE THE CATHOLICS THEIR CIVIL
actually welcomed the British army, allowing troops time to rest and
RIGHTS ?:
consolidate. Within several months the same people were being
If the government had granted Catholic demands for civil rights in
attacked by the RUC and the British army. However, this should have
1968 or 1969, there might have been a temporary solution. Instead,
surprised no one since the troops were sent to Ireland to support the
these peaceful demands were met with clubs and bullets and mob
Loyalist government. Faced with this double attack. the lrish
attacks with RUC complicity. The nationalist community weren't
Republican Army armed themselves for the defense of their
asking any more than their civil rights in north-east Ireland. They
ghettoes. to go on the offensive later as the situation deteriorated.
did not believe that the state could or should be reformed. They are
Murder. torture, beatings and raids may sound like peacekeeping
demanding a united Ireland where they can be free of domination
operations to some people, but certainly not to those who suffered
both economic and political. Since the British government seems
at the hands of the British army.
determined to hold on to north-east Ireland, it is plainly nonsense to
talk about giving the minority nationalists what they want. Anyway.
one does not 'give people their freedom'. one merely stops
WOULDN'T THERE BE A BLOOD-BATH IF THEY LEFT?
repressing them.
The same.'bloodbath' prediction has been used to justify British
imperialism the world over. Does anyone believe that Britain has a
WHY DON'T CATHOLIC WORKERS TRY TO UNITE WITH PROTESTANT
duty to 'civilize the natives?' The British army is not there to prevent
WORKERS ?
a bloodbath; it is there to hold on to north-east Ireland, even at the
This suggestion is usually made by people who should know better,
cost of nearly 2.000 dead, another 20,000 seriously injured, other
but who cannot cope with the reality that the border divides not only
thousands rotting in prison, and the additional cynical sacrifice of -
Ireland but the working classes in the North. The civil rights
young unemployed British youths used as cannon fodder. How many
movement, the Republicans, and the various other social groups
deaths make it a bloodbath? The people who would be the potential
have tried appealing to the Protestant workers. Unfortunately many
victims in a future bloodbath want the troops out, right now! On the
of them are still fervent supporters of bigots like Ian Paisley. and it is
other hand, Unionists like Paisley want even more troops brought in
still the working class in the Catholic ghettoes who suffer most from
. to protect 'Ulster' against the Pope, the taigues, and the various
other godless hordes who threaten it.
Perhaps wait another fifty years until Protestant workers see where
their real interests lie? Telling them to forget their national
AREN'T YOU ASKING US TO SUPPORT TERRORISTS ?
aspirations is like telling black South Africa to forget the freedom
We're asking you not to support terrorists. It is the British army and
struggle, or telling women that they should not organize as women
the 'security forces' who are making war on the civilians. The British
against their oppression in case it divides the class struggle. If you
army knows that the IRA are not 'isolated terrorists', though it suits
really want to see a united Irish working class. you should be calling
their purposes very well to say this. A recently acquired secrel
for a united Ireland first.
document compiled by senior British army staff officers, indicates a
very different IRA; well trained. well equipped, well organized and
well supported by the working class nationalist community. The
DIDN'T THE BRITISH ARMY GO IN TO KEEP THE PEACE?
British army also knows that Protestant civilians are not the target
of the IRA