Irish Republican Army Part 01 · p.388
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Irish Republican Army Part 01
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In further statements for St Patrick's Day in 1985 and 1986, the Friends of
Ireland said
"We oppose without qualification any resort to the bomb or the bullet
as a way to promote political change. Political violence is morally
abominable.as well as inherently anti-democratic: there is no more
place for it in Northern Ireland than there is in the United States.
"We renew our plea .to Americans not to provide support to those who
advocate or engage in violence. It cannot help Ireland.... We ask
that Americans of all backgrounds. and faiths oppose the men of
violence"(1985).
and that
"we renew our condemnation ,of those in. Northern Ireland - and in the
or. by any means" (1986).
At an Irish Embassy reception on 17 March 1983, President Reagan said that
'"some few but. vocal Americans' believe that differences between Irishmen
can only be solved by violence and intimidation.
They are no friendsof
Ireland: They disgrace the principles, for which both Ireland and
America stand:I would urge my fellow Americans not to listen to such
people."
And on 18 March 1986 President Reagan, to commemorate St Patrick's Day, said
"Americans should not give financial or moral support to Irish.
terrorists - any.Irish terrorists. Such support is misguided. We
cannot permit individuals,.for their own evil ends,to snuff out the
hope by the use of violence."
NORAID visits to Northern Ireland
Visits to Northern Ireland by NoRAID representatives are usually timed
to coincide with the anniversary of the introduction of internment on
9 August i971 -.it was phased out by the end of 1975 - and have become an
annual event. These visits form a large part of a tour. which usually begins
and ends in the Republic. The. number of representatives in 1986, however,
was limited to 30, the lowest since the annual "pilgrimage" began. According
to NoRAID the small party was chosen from 200 applicants because this was
expected to.be a particularly volatile year, and also so that the group could
move easily round the North.T
These "fact-finding"-trips by.IRA fund-raisers.
have tended to conform to a pattern by starting in the Republic of Ireland,
touring Republican strongholds in Northern Ireland, including Londonderry,
and, finally, joining in the Republican parades in West Belfast. There have.
stunts, and·members of.the delegation have demonstrated their support for the
"armed struggle" on several occasions. . On one occasion a masked and armed
Provisional IRA gunman boarded the party's bus, after it had been held up at
a stage-managed road block,and read a statement pledging the continuation of
the terrorist campaign to cheers and applause.One member of the group was
arrested during a riot and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge of
possessing a petrol bomb.
Ireland said
"We oppose without qualification any resort to the bomb or the bullet
as a way to promote political change. Political violence is morally
abominable.as well as inherently anti-democratic: there is no more
place for it in Northern Ireland than there is in the United States.
"We renew our plea .to Americans not to provide support to those who
advocate or engage in violence. It cannot help Ireland.... We ask
that Americans of all backgrounds. and faiths oppose the men of
violence"(1985).
and that
"we renew our condemnation ,of those in. Northern Ireland - and in the
or. by any means" (1986).
At an Irish Embassy reception on 17 March 1983, President Reagan said that
'"some few but. vocal Americans' believe that differences between Irishmen
can only be solved by violence and intimidation.
They are no friendsof
Ireland: They disgrace the principles, for which both Ireland and
America stand:I would urge my fellow Americans not to listen to such
people."
And on 18 March 1986 President Reagan, to commemorate St Patrick's Day, said
"Americans should not give financial or moral support to Irish.
terrorists - any.Irish terrorists. Such support is misguided. We
cannot permit individuals,.for their own evil ends,to snuff out the
hope by the use of violence."
NORAID visits to Northern Ireland
Visits to Northern Ireland by NoRAID representatives are usually timed
to coincide with the anniversary of the introduction of internment on
9 August i971 -.it was phased out by the end of 1975 - and have become an
annual event. These visits form a large part of a tour. which usually begins
and ends in the Republic. The. number of representatives in 1986, however,
was limited to 30, the lowest since the annual "pilgrimage" began. According
to NoRAID the small party was chosen from 200 applicants because this was
expected to.be a particularly volatile year, and also so that the group could
move easily round the North.T
These "fact-finding"-trips by.IRA fund-raisers.
have tended to conform to a pattern by starting in the Republic of Ireland,
touring Republican strongholds in Northern Ireland, including Londonderry,
and, finally, joining in the Republican parades in West Belfast. There have.
stunts, and·members of.the delegation have demonstrated their support for the
"armed struggle" on several occasions. . On one occasion a masked and armed
Provisional IRA gunman boarded the party's bus, after it had been held up at
a stage-managed road block,and read a statement pledging the continuation of
the terrorist campaign to cheers and applause.One member of the group was
arrested during a riot and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge of
possessing a petrol bomb.