PROVO GAZA STATEMENT - END INTERNMENT MARCH

Spanish, German, Dutch, Danish, French, translation- Note-Translation may take a moment to load.

“We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid the Galilee of its Arab population.” - David Ben-Gurion, a.k.a. David Grün (1886-1973), Israeli Prime Minister (1948-53, 1955-63) revered by Israelis as "Father of the Nation"

Two-state Solution My Arse
The Occupation is Forever

By Evan Jones

The script is laughable, raw material for Opera buffa. But it has been written by sadists and unrepentant racists. Continue

"A Hideous Atrocity": Noam Chomsky on Israel’s Assault on Gaza

Video Interview and Transcripts

It’s a hideous atrocity, sadistic, vicious, murderous, totally without any credible pretext. Continue

Deputy Speaker of Israeli Knesset Calls for Expulsion and Jewish Reoccupation of Gaza

Video

Max Blumenthal tells Paul Jay that Moshe Feiglin's program is part of a growing incitement to genocide against Palestinians.Continue

It is not Anti-semitic to Criticise Israel for its Gaza Crimes

By Barnaby Raine 

If Israel is singled out, it is usually because people hate occupation and discrimination, not because they hate Jews. Continue

The Root Cause of the Never-Ending Conflict in Palestine; and How to Fix It

By a Dutch Jewish WWII Survivor 
What I propose here is that the flow of millions of Zionists to Palestine be reversed. Continue

NATO is Desperate for War
By Pepe Escobar 

The Obama administration is giving a free pass to the butchers of Luhansk. Continue

You Wanna be Uncle Sam's Bitch? Pay the Price! 

By The Saker 
Putin has used the momentum of the the West's Russia-basing and Putin-bashing campaign to his advantage across the board. Continue

Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia

Video By John Pilger
Two former Khmer Rouge leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea have been finally convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity - the genocide that killed up to two million people. Continue

Psychopaths
They Walk Among Us
By Paul Rosenberg
Predators walk among us, and they are indistinguishable from normal people. These differently wired humans have a predatory advantage, and they use it.Continue

Congress on the Playground

By Christopher Brauchli 

Not all hearings are designed to attack the president. Some are designed to permit congressmen to demonstrate their wisdom and their grasp of important affairs of which their constituents may have been unaware. Continue

Climate Change – Point of No Return

By Margaret Kimberley
Time’s up, or so planet earth seems to be telling humanity. Continue

At least 31 killed as Islamic State surges in N Iraq: Over in Kirkuk, 11 people were killed by two car bombs that exploded near a Shia mosque holding displaced people, security and medical sources said.

Islamic State captures Iraqi home of Turkish Kurds: Islamic State fighters have taken control of a town in northern Iraq that is home to 12,000 Turkish Kurds, Iraqi security sources have said Anadolu Agency reported

Iraqi Militants Seize Country's Largest Dam: Sunni militants from the Islamic State group on Thursday seized Iraq's largest dam, placing them in control of enormous power and water resources and access to the river that runs through the heart of Baghdad.

Maliki breaks his promise with INA to give up 3rd term nomination for Prime Minister: al-Maliki had requested in return for the withdrawal of candidacy, the position of Vice President, a large personal security detail and authority over the Defense Ministry for at least two months

U.S. Aircraft Bomb Militants in Iraq After Obama Opens Door for Strikes: Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement Friday that “two F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near Erbil.”

US carries out air drops to help Iraqis trapped on mountain by Isis: US military aircraft have dropped food and water for thousands of besieged Iraqis trapped by the the Islamist militant group Isis

UK rules out Iraq military strikes: The UK will not be involved in the latest military action in northern Iraq, Downing Street has said. American troops have already made humanitarian air drops to Iraqis threatened by the IS, Mr Obama said.

Intelligence Source: Turks Launch Bombing Strikes on ISIS: A former high ranking CIA official in Baghdad tells Newsweek that Turkish jets carried out airstrikes on Islamic State (I.S.) militants threatening Kurdish refugees--an assertion that Ankara denies.

38 people killed in attack on Syria base — NGO: At least 27 Syrian gov forces have been killed in a jihadist assault on a military base in the northern province of Raqa. 11 jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) were also killed in the attack on Brigade 93

ISIL Beheads Soldiers in Syrian Army Base: WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS: Graphic photographs posted on internet showing decapitated bodies of Syrian Army soldiers in Raqqa have once again brought the gory side of the three-year-long conflict in Syria in the limelight.

A voice of horror from Lebanon's Arsal: Civilians caught up in fighting that left scores killed and thousands displaced in town bordering Syria.

Israel kills another Gaza child:An Israeli air strike killed a 10-year-old child in Gaza City on Friday, the first death reported since a 72-hour truce expired at 05h00 GMT, Palestinian medics said.

Israel resumes airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire ends: Israel launched airstrikes in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood west of Gaza City at around 10:40 a.m., with another airstrike targeting northern Gaza.

Israel to declare Gaza 'enemy territory' to avoid payouts to inhabitants: Decision would mean Israel would not be liable for damage incurred to residents of the Strip as a result of Israeli actions during Operation Protective Edge.

Community leader, beloved grandfather shot dead by Israelis as he carried white flag: Muhammad Qdeih, 65, was shot dead while carrying a white flag to signal to Israeli soldiers that he was an unarmed civilian.

Israeli soldiers having fun while bombing houses in Gaza : Video -

Case for war crimes against Israel more likely: The possibility of a war crimes investigation into the conduct of Israeli forces in Gaza, until recently unthinkable, has grown after the Palestinians said this week they wanted to become a party to the International Criminal Court.

Report: Netanyahu Asks US Lawmakers To ‘Help Israel Avoid War Crimes Charges’: “The prime minister asked us to work together to ensure that this strategy of going to the ICC does not succeed,” Israel told The Post by phone from Tel Aviv.

Gaza is a crime made in Washington as well as Jerusalem: Op-Ed: The carnage unleashed on the Palestinians is part of a decades-old routine that depends on western support

US senator filibusters live coverage of powerful Palestinian testimonies: CSPAN cut from Tariq Abukhdeir’s live, moving testimony of Israeli abuse in Jerusalem to cover Barbara Boxer’s incoherent pro-Israel rant to a mostly empty Senate chamber.

South Africa threatens to prosecute citizens serving in IDF: Activist group opens case against one soldier, threatens more; convicts could face jail time

George Galloway under investigation over Israel remarks: "We don't want any Israeli goods; we don't want any Israeli services; we don't want any Israeli academics coming to the university or the college.

George Galloway speech on Gaza/Israel war : Video

US: Aug. 9: March to the United Nations for Gaza: Rally begins at 1:00 p.m., march begins at 3:00 p.m. Columbus Circle (58th St & 8th Ave)

UK: National Demonstration for Gaza. Saturday 9 August. No excuses. Be there: London Saturday 9 August
Assemble 12 Noon BBC Portland Place W1A 1AA - March to Hyde Park via US Embassy

Attorney sues Kerry, Hagel over Israel aid: A Palestinian-American attorney sued US Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to halt military aid to Israel.

U.S. Suspected Israeli Involvement in 1960s Missing Uranium: Officials Believed Ally Used Materials Lifted From Pennsylvania Toward a Weapons Program

11 Militants Killed in Egypt Security Raids: Egyptian security forces have killed 11 militants and destroyed tunnels leading to the besieged Gaza Strip during raids in the volatile North Sinai region.

Intl health emergency: WHO issues Ebola warning: The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is an "extraordinary event", which poses a public health risk to other states, the World Health Organization said, urging global coordinated response to the disease.

Pakistani 9 killed in security operation: At least two security personnel and seven militants were killed in Turbat area of southwestern Balochistan province of Pakistan on Thursday.

Four Afghan policemen killed in Taliban attack in Helmand:Afghan Taliban fighters stormed a police checkpoint overnight in southern Afghan province of Helmand, killing four policemen, an official said.

Family of 5 killed in Ukraine army shelling in Lugansk: According to reports, the five were killed as a basement, where they had taken refuge, was shelled during military operations by government forces on Thursday.

2 Killed by Shelling in Rebel-Held Donetsk: Ukrainian troops routed the pro-Russian insurgents from smaller towns in the region earlier this month and have now encircled Donetsk, where fighting has crept closer to the city center.

Russia hits West with food import ban: Russia is imposing a "full embargo" on food imports from the EU, US and some other Western countries, in response to sanctions over Ukraine. Prime Minister said it would include fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports.

Russian nuclear-capable bombers 'tested' US air defenses 16 times in last 10 days: “These are not just training missions,” the official told Gertz, saying that Russian strategic nuclear forces appear to be “trying to test our air defense reactions, or our command and control systems.”

Snowden gets three-year Russian residence permit: Snowden could apply for citizenship in 2018 after living in Russia for five years, but that he had not decided whether he wanted to stay or leave.

NSA a grouse violation of rights' – Ex-CIA Officer : Video - The US has a new whistleblower, who's leaking secrets on its surveillance programs. CNN broke the news, citing American officials. RT spoke on the issue with former CIA officer Ray Mcgovern.

Campaign Mounts to Declassify 9/11 Report’s References to Alleged Saudi Involvement: According to members of Congress and the families of victims, information about this has been suppressed ever since the publication of a 2002 congressional investigation into the plot.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Is a Clever Politician and a Successful Hypocrite: Feinstein’s political success is rooted in defending some of the most contentious national security policies while calling for robust civil liberties.

New York Times to use the word 'torture' when describing torture: Under pressure from reporters and editors, the New York Times’ leadership has decided to use the word “torture” with regard to the CIA’s treatment of prisoners in the years following September 11.

Office Depot to close 165 stores this year;: Office Depot said Tuesday it would close 165 stores during 2014 — up from the 150 estimated earlier this year — but stuck with a total count of 400 store closures through 2016, the company said.

USDA signals approval of Dow's 2,4-D-resistant seeds: "We are outraged. Today USDA has turned its back on America’s farmers and rural communities. For over two years, farmers from Iowa to California have been urging USDA to reject Dow’s 2,4-D seeds.

EMPEROR OF ALL IRELAND BRIAN BORU FORBIDS ORANGE ORDER BIGOTRY

GARC Statement 6 th July 2014

Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective

GARC is a non party political residents group that is committed to peaceful, radical activity that will lead to the end of all unwanted sectarian Loyal Order marches through Ardoyne, Mountainview and The Dales.


GARC have demonstrated our ability since 2010 to ensure that residents have the opportunity to participate in mass mobilisations of those opposed to sectarian parades, including sit down protests, whiteline pickets and two counter parades attended by thousands of people. Our analysis that no sectarian parade is welcome in Greater Ardoyne was validated by a survey delivered to every home in the area, with over 90% of 1200 responding homes stating that all Loyal Order parades through our community are unacceptable. Our ability to again call thousands onto the streets to oppose either morning or evening parades should not be underestimated.


This past week has seen two contradictory determinations from the Parades Commission, one rewarding the Orange Order and UVF for putting this community under siege since July 2013, while another came to the logical conclusion that the evening parade was unjustified in seeking to trample over the rights of residents. It is the opinion of GARC, and by extension most Greater Ardoyne residents, that both parades should not pass through our area. We have demanded to meet the Parades Commission to put forward this argument this week, and this will happen in coming days.
The solution to the vicious circle of unwanted parades, loyalist intimidation, community disruption and PSNI violence against the people of Greater Ardoyne is to use the alternative route via Harmony Lane. This would provide the Loyal Orders with the totally legitimate right to express their culture and heritage where they are welcome, while causing no offence to residents and ensuring no need for massive funds being allocated to "security" and away from frontline services such as health and education. While our analysis would be that the route is already viable, any cost to the Stormont Executive of upgrading it to a standard acceptable to Loyal Orders would be minimal in comparison to the £10million it has cost to uphold the 2013 determination.


GARC remain willing to meet and talk with the Loyal Orders directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, to give our analysis and to listen to that of others. With this in mind, and following intensive community consultation since this year's determinations were made public, we have decided to withdraw plans for a mass mobilisation to oppose the 12th morning parade. This will help contribute to what we hope will be a conflict free 12th of July, that will lead to a conducive environment for talks in coming weeks around securing the use of the Harmony Lane route. However, we will have a number of residents present at the 12th morning parade to monitor for any breaches of the Parades Commission determination. Activity open to any resident, as GARC members proved in Court.
We would call upon other residents groups and political parties to support and promote the alternative route as the only viable and sensible solution to the issue of sectarian parades in Greater Ardoyne, rather than entertaining the "morning acceptable, evening unacceptable" argument. We would ask that they help to form a united campaign against the continued denial of Ardoyne, Mountainview and Dales residents to live free from sectarian harassment and intimidation.


Statement Ends.

THE RELEASE OF MARTIN COREY Republican Sinn Féin POW Department Statement

The Release of Martin Corey

by number1admin

Statement from POW Department, Republican Sinn Féin

THE release of Martin Corey from Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim on January 14, 2014 was “not before time” according to Josephine Hayden, a spokesperson for the POW Department, Republican Sinn Féin who welcomed his release in a statement on January 15.

She said “The treatment meted out to Martin Corey for nearly four years was nothing short of barbaric and it was difficult to get the general public and the media interested in Martin Corey’s internment from the beginning. While, quite rightly, we saw/see criticism of the mistreatment of prisoners in other countries – on social media and in the press — the case of Martin Corey was ignored, with a few honourable exceptions, by people here at home.

“The various British secretaries of state hid behind a wall of silence and claimed that Martin Corey was ‘a threat to the public’. Their case was based on secret evidence/closed material and unspecified allegations. The role of the courts to ensure that ‘not only must justice be done, but must be seen to be done’ took such a back seat that it disappeared.

“Not only was justice not done to Martin Corey, an injustice was done to him. Unspecified allegations are not allowed in courts of law, unless of course the allegations are made by states. We have seen the British Crown Forces and their collaborationists hide behind physical screens and screens of silence in many cases down the years, black-ops in good working order, still operational.

“For almost four years Martin sat in a jail cell not knowing why he was there – this is also the type of action that even the British condemn in other countries.

“Martin was held without any due process, he was never questioned from the time of his arrest about any specific incident(s) and his legal team have never been allowed to challenge any of the secret evidence that was bought before the Parole Commissioners – neither the legal team or the judge saw the secret evidence adjudicated on by a state appointed advocate.

“On his release the statement from the Northern Ireland (sic) Office said ‘The Parole Commissioners have decided to release Martin Corey on a licence that is subject to conditions which are designed to manage the risk they assess him to pose.’ On his release – after four years – we are still asking the question ‘what risk’?

She concluded: “Is it any wonder the Republicans have no confidence in and refuse to engage with what operates as the justice system in the Occupied Six Counties, when it sees a man who ran his own business for 20 years, just picked up and interned on the word of some anonymous MI5 individuals and held without charge or trial for almost four years. And who, according to media reports [BBC and UTV January 14/15, 2014], cannot even reside in his own home town.

“Martin should never have been interned in Maghaberry or any other jail. He should have been, and should be now, at home with his family and friends, working at his business and getting on with his life.

http://www.rsf.ie

History of Eire Nua

A New Ireland

By creating a provincial parliament for the nine counties of Ulster, within the framework of a new Ireland the partition system would be disestablished and the problem of the border removed. The Protestant people of Ulster would have a working majority and would have immediate access to power. Furthermore, the devolution of power to the local level would ensure for each community the opportunity to foster its own traditions and culture. Each region and community would have within itself the immediate power to deal with its own social and economic problems. Such devolution of power from one central authority to the people is the essence of democracy. The Nationalist population would be of sufficient strength to ensure a strong and credible opposition within reach of power. For the first time in fifty years we would see a normalization of politics with an end to the domination of one community by another and the resultant frustration and conflict.


THE ORIGIN OF EIRE NUA

In the mid-sixties Daithi O'Conaill, the author of Eire Nua, was involved with a very successful local co-operative venture in Co. Donegal. The co-operative was located in a remote, economically depressed and neglected area, plagued by emigration and unemployment. Working with Fr. McDyer, the founder of the co-operative concept, Daithi realized that local people when given the opportunity and direction could manage and improve the local economy, stem the flow of emigration and improve the quality of their own lives.

During his involvement with the venture Daithi also realized that the physical remoteness of the local people from the center of power in Dublin was directly related to the neglect and hardship suffered by them. This condition was further exacerbated by the psychological barrier created by their forced separation from their neighbors in the six counties of Ulster occupied by the British. The experience of directing, working with and observing local people succeed in managing their own affairs, independent of central authority, had a profound effect on Daithi and was responsible for planting the seeds of the Eire Nua concept in his mind. Nurtured by his political ability and his desire to plan for the future, the seeds took root and blossomed into the concept of a new beginning not just for Donegal and Ulster but also for all of Ireland.

Daithi realized that the first step in creating a new Ireland was the reunification of the nine-county province of Ulster. In expounding on this concept in 1969, he wrote:
By creating a provincial parliament for the nine counties of Ulster, within the framework of a new Ireland the partition system would be disestablished and the problem of the border removed. The Protestant people of Ulster would have a working majority and would have immediate access to power. Furthermore, the devolution of power to the local level would ensure for each community the opportunity to foster its own traditions and culture. Each region and community would have within itself the immediate power to deal with its own social and economic problems. Such devolution of power from one central authority to the people is the essence of democracy. The Nationalist population would be of sufficient strength to ensure a strong and credible opposition within reach of power. For the first time in fifty years we would see a normalization of politics with an end to the domination of one community by another and the resultant frustration and conflict.

In 1969 when war broke out again in Ireland, Daithi was deeply involved with the Republican movement. Prior to the onset of internment in August 1971 he presented his ideas of Eire Nua to the Republican leadership and was subsequently given the green light to proceed. On the 21st of August 1971 at the West Ernan Hotel in Monaghan, with over 500 people anxiously waiting outside in the square, the Leadership of Provisional Sinn Fein publicly announced the Eire Nua program. Historians, local and foreign media and prominent people including Sinn Fein delegates from all over Ireland enthusiastically greeted the birth of Eire Nua.

THE LAUNCHING OF EIRE NUA

In 1967 while Daithi O'Connaill was putting the finishing touches to Eire Nua, an unrelated movement was coming to the forefront in the occupied six counties of northeast Ireland. The non-violent civil rights movement inspired by Martin Luther King took to the streets demanding equality in employment, housing, voting rights, police, and civil rights. These demonstrations were met with violent opposition from Stormont, the Northern Ireland Government. They were attacked and beaten by Unionists mobs led by the police (RUC) and B Specials (militia). Their homes and communities were burned to the ground, many were killed and thousands were forced to flee across the border to the Irish Free State.

One of the most significant marches of this period took place from Derry to Belfast. Bernadette Devlin, a student activist, led it. The marchers were set upon by a frenzied mob of Unionists led by the RUC and B-Specials. This was the first time that the outside world saw the true nature of the Northern Ireland State. The Republican movement was not initially involved in events of this period. However, as the state-led violence escalated against the Nationalists, the IRA was asked for help in defending the communities against the Unionist onslaught. During this same period, while thousands were fleeing across the border, the Irish Free State, notwithstanding its promise of "not standing idly by", did in fact stand by and let the onslaught happen. Meanwhile the IRA, acting in a defensive role, was successful in securing the Nationalist areas.

In the meantime, the British Government poured tens of thousands of troops into the north under the pretext of defending the Nationalist communities against the Unionist mobs. However, the role of the British army soon became evident when they ceased playing the role of "peacemaker" and were instead deployed as security forces" in Nationalist areas. To counter the successes of the IRA in defending these areas, the Stormont Government, on August 9th 1971, with the help of the British army introduced internment without trial. The victims of this pogrom were all taken from Nationalist areas.
During this period the civil rights movement became radicalized as a result of the treatment they received at the hands of the Stormont government. They participated in acts of civil disobedience including anti-internment protest demonstrations. It was on one such demonstration in Derry on Sunday, January 30th 1972 that British paratroopers opened fire, killing thirteen instantly and wounding scores of others. This murder of unarmed demonstrators became known as the Bloody Sunday massacre and in effect signaled the end of peaceful protests and the beginning of war.

Aware of the consequences of the approaching war, the Army Council of the IRA endorsed Daithi O'Connaill's plan for a political solution for Ireland. On August IIth 1971, two days after internment, they issued a statement calling for the setting-up of an alternative form of government for Ulster.

THE PROMOTION OF EIRE NUA

The statement of August 11th 1971, calling for an alternative form of government for the nine counties of Ulster, was the official launching of Eire Nua. One week later on August 18th, Ruairi O' Bradaigh, President of Sinn Fein, issued a statement endorsing the proposals. The statement said that the people of Ulster should proceed to set up a Regional Parliament for the nine counties of Ulster. It continued by saying that the settlement of 1921 that set up both the Stormont and Dublin parliaments was unworkable and against the interests of the Irish people. It called for the dismantling of both statelets to make room for the New Ireland. It concluded by calling on the people of Connacht to consider joining Ulster in setting up their own Regional Parliament.

On August 21st 1971, a convention was assembled in Monaghan to consider the establishment of an Ulster Parliament (Dail Ulaidh). Invitations were sent to a broad spectrum of people including elected officials representing various political viewpoints. All nine counties of Ulster were represented. This convention drew both national and international attention and received major media coverage. Amongst those attending were two Westminster parliamentarians, Frank McManus and Paddy Kennedy. Since these were the only parliamentary level officials present, it was decided that as a first step a council would be set up to promote Dail Ulaidh. Paddy Kennedy and Frank McManus were selected to head up the council. Aided by a constitutional expert from Dublin the council drafted structures for local and provincial governments.

The next meeting of major significance was held in Tuam, the old capital of Connacht. Desmond Fennell and Maura Conlon organized the meeting. Various organizations and individuals attended from all five counties of Connacht. This meeting drew national attention and received major media coverage, as did the meeting in Monaghan. A council was set up for the same purpose as was the council in Ulster and Officers were elected to head it up. Follow-up meetings were held in Tuam, Westport and Drumshambo.

In the spring of 1972 a committee was formed at University College Galway to study the implications of and make recommendations for setting up a federal system consisting of the four provinces. The main question considered was whether Eire Nua was to be set up as a unitary system with regional assemblies or a federal republic with four provincial parliaments. The basic difference highlighted by the committee was that a regional assembly could be suspended at will by the central government, as was Stormont by the British government. On the other hand in a federal arrangement there would be a sharing of powers between the provinces and the center. In this situation the Federal government could not suspend the provincial parliament. The Supreme Court would be the final arbiter in all disputes between the provinces and the center. The latter arrangement was selected by the Leadership of the Republican Movement and is today the basis for the Eire Nua program.

GROWING RESISTANCE TO EIRE NUA

The suspension of the Stormont government by the British government in the spring of 1972 created a political vacuum. It provided a realistic opportunity for the political parties in Ireland to put forward their solutions to achieve a permanent peace for the Irish people. The Irish Republican movement stepped into the breach and continued to politicize the Eire Nua program. A further obstacle was removed when on June 28th 1972 a bilateral truce was called between the IRA and the British government. However, the Dublin government and the various political parties who had paid lip service to Irish unity remained silent and instead resorted to undermining negotiations for peace.

On June 28th 1972 a press conference was held at the Ormond Hotel in Dublin to promote the Eire Nua program. The program was based on the formation of four Provincial Parliaments with a federal Parliament at the center. Media representatives attended the press conference from Ireland, Britain and the rest of Europe. Despite attempts to sidetrack the main issue, the Irish Republican representatives managed to highlight their proposal for a new Ireland. They emphasized that their proposals were not definitive or exclusive of other proposals. They also stated that the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom would be incorporated in the domestic law of the new Ireland and indicated that the new Ireland would be a complete break with the past.

Due to the ongoing success and growing interest in the Eire Nua program the Dublin government became fearful of its own position of privilege and power and acted against the Republican movement by banning Sinn Fein spokespersons from radio and television. The result was that while the BBC, UTV and other major European networks carried the press conference live, Irish radio and television downplayed the event, thus depriving the Irish people of the opportunity to judge for themselves the merits of the Eire Nua program. Gradually the noose of censorship was tightened and in 1976, Conor Cruise O'Brien made censorship official government policy.

The media in the United States also applied censorship when on a coast-to-coast television discussion among Unionists, Nationalists and Republicans, broadcast from Boston, John Hume advocated and managed to have Ruairi O'Bradaigh's Eire Nua proposals deleted from the program. However, on returning to Ireland, O'Bradaigh stated that during a chance meeting with Mr. Gerry L'Estrange, a member of the 26-County Parliament, who declared that "nobody could take away from your regional government policy, it is very progressive"

UNIONISTS REACTION TO EIRE NUA

During the bilateral talks between the IRA and the British government in 1972, the late Daithi.O'Conaill presented William Whitelaw with a copy of the Eire Nua program. This action by O'Conaill left no doubt as to whether or not the British government was aware of the Irish Republican Movement's intent regarding the Irish question. However, they refused to give the Movement credit for having put forward a sound political solution to the Irish question. The talks themselves ended in failure.

Despite official censorship in the 26-county state, a Council was successfully set up in Munster to promote Dail Mumhan followed by a similar Council in Leinster. In 1973, a Council of Ireland was launched and a number of meetings were held in Athlone to promote the program. Representatives from the four provinces attended the Athlone meetings. During the same period a number of meetings were held throughout Ireland where leaders of the Republican movement discussed the Eire Nua policy with prominent members of the pro-British Loyalist and Unionist parties

At a seminar held in Galway in 1974, Frank McManus M.P. speaking of Eire Nua, stated "there was nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come" and "the only criticism that can be made of Eire Nua, was the source from where it came and that was not a valid criticism"

In the summer of 1974, during the taping of a UTV talk show Sammy Smith of the UDA expressed his concern to Ruairi O'Bradaigh about the changing population (the lower ratio of Protestants to Catholics) in a nine-county new Ulster. Such a comment by a hard-line Loyalist leader, albeit negative, represented fresh thinking on the part of some leaders of the ultra hard-line Loyalist community. More discussions took place with the Rev. Eric Gallagher, a leading Methodist Minister who stated that political scientists in leading universities had analyzed Eire Nua and found no fault with its systems of checks and balances.

In 1976, the Rev. Billy Arklow, who later became Dean of St. Andrews Cathedral in Belfast, arranged for O'Bradaigh to make a twenty-minute presentation of Eire Nua at Queen's University in Belfast, to an assemblage that included leaders of the Protestant community. The presentation was well received as demonstrated by the number and types of questions asked. Harry Murray, Chairman of the Ulster Workers Council, had commented that the Eire Nua program was similar to the Australian system, which is a federation of states that seemed to work well.

THE UNDERMINING OF EIRE NUA

The steady growth of Eire Nua in the mid-seventies was led by the Irish Republican Movement and endorsed by the IRA. This did not deter' pro-British Loyalists and Unionists from becoming involved in direct discussions on the Eire Nua federal policy with leading Irish Republicans, most notably the late Daithi O'Conaill and Ruairi O'Bradaigh.

In 1974, Desmond Boal added his voice to the growing Loyalist opinion favoring Eire Nua. Boal, who was secretary to Ian Paisley, published a statement favoring a two-state federal solution, comprising the 26-county and the 6-county states. While the Republican leadership realized that it was a major step forward to have Loyalists and Unionists come out in favor of British disengagement and a federal solution of sorts, they felt that the two-state federation would not work as they would be eternally at logger- heads i.e. Czechoslovakia. However, discussions continued with Boal and others until the collapse of the Power Sharing Executive.

The large number of publications of that era indicates that the Irish people recognized that there was a solution and that the Eire Nua federal policy was their first choice. Amongst the most prominent publications were, Towards a Greater Ulster, Ireland as a Whole, Take the Faeroes for Example, The Third Republic, A New Nationalism - Desmond Fennell; Ulster the Future - Frank McManus M.P; Shaping a New Society - Emmet O'Connell; Our People our Future - Ruairi O'Bradaigh.

However, there were undercurrents developing within the Irish Republican Movement due to the influx of newcomers, especially in the North. Emerging from these would be the men and women who would lead the blanket protest and give their lives on hunger strike and wage an all-out war for a united Ireland. However, there were also those with personal agendas who viewed the situation as an opportune moment to take control of the Irish Republican movement. These opportunists, aware that the Republican leadership of the day was highly respected because of Eire Nua, campaigned for their gradual removal by undermining Eire Nua.

At the 1980 Sinn Fein Ard-Feis the Belfast leadership, along with branches in Dublin, moved to have the term federalism removed from Sinn Fein policy and replaced with the term maximum decentralization. Daithi O'Conaill later resigned from Sinn Fein, having become the first victim of political cleansing. Daithi later returned as Vice-President of the newly formed Republican Sinn Fein and authored Towards a Peaceful Ireland and Eire Nua - A New Democracy, the updated version of Eire Nua, prior to his untimely death in 1991.

THE REBIRTH OF EIRE NUA

To recap, the late Daithi O'Conaill, one of the leading military strategists and political visionaries of seventies founded Eire Nua. Along with Ruairi O'Bradaigh, President of Republican Sinn Fein, Daithi opened a dialogue with leaders of Loyalist groups in the occupied six counties. Many meetings were held during the Eire Nua promotional campaign of the seventies, but personal ambitions within the Republican movement and opposition from the proponents of the status quo seemed to have buried Eire Nua. In the meantime, we have been dealt initiatives, super initiatives, and now hyper initiatives by the governments in London and Dublin.

The saying that nothing good comes easy can be applied to Eire Nua as it makes a slow comeback, spearheaded by Republican Sinn Fein in Ireland. Again we see a growing awareness of Eire Nua, manifested by more meetings and media attention. Since then a number of significant events have attested to its rebirth. In December 7th 1993 a press conference was held in Belfast to launch the new bilingual Eire Nua program. At the press conference, Ruari O'Bradaigh, in a message to the Unionists, said: that in the context of an English public undertaking to withdraw, the Ulster identity is a legitimate identity which can find expression in a nine-county Ulster parliament with strong local government. The position of each of the four provinces would be entrenched in a new Federal Ireland in a written constitution with complete separation of church and state and a pluralist society. Channel Four and Sky news in Britain reported covered the press conference as did the Irish Times and Belfast Telegraph.

In June of 2000 Bertie Ahern, the 26-county Prime Minister 'damned the Eire Nua program with faint praise' by stating that while Eire Nua had its merits those who promoted it ie; Republican Sinn Fein were suspect because they did not engage in the 'peace process'. Ruairi O'Bradaigh replied by stating that the British had no problem sitting down to discuss the Eire Nua peace plan at the height of the war in the 70's.




A few points on above by Omar Little Fri Apr 11, 2008 21:52

The article would be more balanced if it noted that Roy Johnston and Sean O Bradaigh wrote a draft document on federal democracy in the mid 1960s, which was then dusted down, called 'Eire Nua' and re-used by provisional Sinn Fein after 1970. David O'Connell returned to the republican movement after August 1969 having been inactive for a period. Those who were around at the time will fill in the details for you.
What about Unionist alienation? by The blatantly obvious Sat Apr 12, 2008 08:52

Hypothetically if the demographics change in the next few decades and 51% of Northern Ireland is Catholic and Nationalist it is not realistic to expect the 49 % Unionist/Loyalist/Protestants agree to a United Ireland.
It is likely there would be fighting by Loyalist separatists against the Garda and Irish Army and bombings in Dublin.
Means & Ends by the fringe man Sat Apr 12, 2008 09:28

Decentralisation is an intellectually appealing concept. It appeals to a sense of fair play for the marginalised. It seems prima facie to show recognition and status respect for majorities and minorities. It seems to draw a balance between unequal economic advantage and ethnic-religious identities. It seeks to enable those on the geographical fringe to come into the ambit of national decision making and disbursment of state financial expenditure, industrial investment and social services. Regional self-definition and determination permeate the humane and humanist philosophy underlying the decentralist concept. I think anarchists, green-leaning politicoes, grassroots democrats, pacifists and other idealists could subscribe to decentralist ideology.

But ends and means are important. Inhumane means can tarnish bloodily, and this happened during the 1970s and the 80s as the Provisional IRA, ostensibly pursuing a liberation war in furtherance of the Eire Nua decentralist programme, shattered the humane ideals underpinning that programme. The provos on the ground killed people and ideas. The Ulster (6 counties) protestants, with a few exceptions like Desmond Boal and John Robb, were repelled by whatever the provos said they believed in. Between the idea and the reality there lies the shadow, according to TS Eliot. Good-sounding ends cannot be justly achieved by violent ends.

I would be intellectually attracted by decentralist visions, but could never associate with RSF people claiming to be advocating Eire Nua documents and proposals. If the Greens seriously took on proposals such as these and worked inside and outside parliamentary politics towards their realisation I'd guess that decentralist aims would gain many adherents. But if it is left to RSF it will stay dead in the water. It is one thing for an interesting intellectual like Desmond Fennell to pen his humanist-decentralist thoughts carefully in thought-provoking pamphlets. It is something bloody else for urban guerillas to plant wretched car bombs in busy streets and at crowded bus stations. Humane ends require humane means.
Breaking the Landlord Class by Cael - Sinn Fein Poblachtach Sat Apr 12, 2008 16:35

fringe man, I think you are going a bit far saying that the IRA planted bombs in crowded bus stations. If that were true we would have had 3,000 casualties a week instead of over 25 years. I agree with you that the ideals of Eire Nua are sometimes in contradiction with the injustice that often happens during an armed insurrection. I dont think this can ever be completely avoided. I dont agree with you that the Greens would do a better job of implementing Eire Nua. I dont think they have that kind of will and determination - just look at the way they caved in at the prospect of ministerial appointments and betrayed Tara. Eire Nua and Saol Nua is about breaking the back of the Landlord class in Ireland and breaking the power of their English Crown backers. This is not a task that the Greens would even contemplate.
Related Link: http://admin2.7.forumer.com/index.php
options and choices by jj o'kelly - fenian Sat Apr 12, 2008 19:11

THE IRA army council backed Eire Nua as early '70. Now take on the full implications of that fact.. when provided with the option of a genine peace -which would be provided by Eire Nua- they choose peace. The Republican leadership was meeting with loyalists, unionist and the Brits themselves - yet who worked against all these opputunities to build a new Ireland? The free staters that who. one of teh biggest crimes committed was when they raided and broke up the feakle talksthey broke up peace talks does that register becuase the outcome of those talks was one in which teh leinster house gangsterswould lose their privledge yet the clown above thinks the green party - a status quo party- would bring such change? the change brought by Eire Nua will be brought in by the Irish people themselves leinster house an institution of corruption BASED on partition cannot and will not bring such change it must be accomplished outside (hence abstentionism)
Eire Nua II? by normal bloke Mon Apr 21, 2008 14:13

We've had a revolution in attitudes here since 1990, and a revised document that reflected the changes would be interesting.

But would mainstream loyalists really want to read something with an "Eire Nua" title? Start with "New Ireland", as Eire Nua will get their backs up before they start to read it.
more than loyalists by the fringe man Mon Apr 21, 2008 15:23

Normal Bloke, it's not only the mainstream loyalists who would be repelled by Eire Nua documentation, and not just because of the Gaelic title. Many more people who are grassroots supporters of Fianna Fail, FG, Labour, the Greens (of which I am not a member) would be repelled by the bloodstained documents of the provo IRA flipside called SF.

A humane political idea of federal decentralisation, incorporating the theologically respectable concept of subsidiarity, has been shunned widely on both sides of the border on account of the bombings, shootings and kidnappings. I don't think any documents promoted by RSF, Eirigi or any other miniscule splinter groups possessing traces of the provo DNA prints are going to get the earnest attention of a wider public. That is why I mentioned constitutionalists like green-leaners (I deliberately didn't say the GP as such) as possible articulators of a political federalism. Only people firmly committed to constitutionalism will satisfy a wider public concerning means towards ends.

Now in nooks and crannies across this tiny tribal parochial island small numbers of disgruntled thinkers may be found who may be receptive to proposals on regionalism and the like - people who in recent elections have switched their floating votes temporarily to assorted Independents and socialists, but who in the last election switched back massively to the huddling group security of FF-FG. These people, in a few elections before the last one, registered temporary disgruntlment with the failure of the political system to respond to their local and regional needs, whether it be health services, community tv masts or falling farm incomes. One thing they won't support is another attempt to mobilise armed struggle.
Fringe Man by Cael - Sinn Féin Mon Apr 21, 2008 17:30

Fringe man, a chara, if people like you would put their backs into the work there would be no need for armed struggle. If you think that Leinster House is going to do anything but perpetuate and defend privilage and property, then you are sadly mistaken - thats exactly what the Brits set it up for.
Related Link: http://admin2.7.forumer.com/index.php
armed struggle & history by the fringe man Thu Apr 24, 2008 00:40

Cael, I don't think I could work on any political project with you. Your preoccupations are with armed struggle and what you regard as the undemocratic origins of Leinster House a.k.a Dail Eireann. You reveal it all with the above riposte:- # ...if people like you would put their backs into the work there would be no need for armed struggle. If you think that Leinster House is going to do anything but perpetuate and defend privilage and property, then you are sadly mistaken - thats exactly what the Brits set it up for. #

You and your associates are caught in a hopeless time warp that cuts you off from the rest of the Irish population. If you could invent a monster time machine maybe you could pack enough of us in and take us all forcibly back to the eve of the Truce in June 1921.
stand up would you by backbone? Thu Apr 24, 2008 00:54

so instead you suggest maintaining the status quo???

that is all that has happened and can happen otherwise . RSF are the only group thinking outside the box - outside the paradigm that was set up by a foriegn power FFS, does no one else believe that the Irish people are capable of organising their own country and break the god damn box?