The article in Scotland On Sunday by Mike Russell is most welcome he writes: It is no longer tenable for any democratic party in Scotland to stand in the way of that right to choose
and as time goes by, the confused signals from other parties indicate that they, too, realise there cannot be an indefinite delay in allowing the people to have their say.
The latest example of that is the internal debate within the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who have now convened a special session at their autumn conference next week to debate the party's stance on a referendum That has come about, seemingly, because of deep disquiet in Lib Dem ranks, especially at the grass-roots level, about the position taken by the party leadership in standing against a vote of the people. It is, indeed, passing strange that a party whose very name proclaims its democratic credentials and which ordinarily favours referenda on a range of issues should have thus far proved so resolutely opposed to a referendum on Scotland's future.
As Scottish Republican Socialists we should back the wishes of two-thirds of the Scottish people to be allowed a referendum on independence. Russell also goes on to say "The London parties would do well to heed the words of Irish home rule campaigner Charles Stewart Parnell, whose observation that no-one "has the right to fix the boundary of the march of a nation" prefaced the Scottish Government's first white paper on the constitution in August 2007.
It is clear the people of Scotland want to have a choice on their future, and we intend to give them the chance to seize the benefits that only independence can bring."
Scottish Republican Socialists most welcome the SNP initiative but should warn that attempts to get the Referendum Bill passed in Holyrood could mean accepting a third option on the ballot paper of more fiscal powers from Calman Commission. Most people including the SNP leader Alex Salmond would be more comfortable with a straight choice Yes/No referendum on independence.
And here lies the dilemma of constitutional nationalism that fights as a minority government in parliament.
What is clear is the next general election to Westminster could mean the Tories find themselves without all out victory but instead a hung parliament while unlikely to have any representation in Scotland.
Interesting times certainly lie ahead in the Scottish and London parliaments in 2010. but as a true republican socialist I will not put my faith in parliamentary politics but remain true to revolutionary politics to effect real change and thus a Workers Republic.
Larry
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Sunday, 11 October 2009
IRSM release statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11 October 2009
Irish Republican Socialist Party
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN
SOCIALIST MOVEMENT
The Irish National Liberation Army and Irish Republican Socialist
Party were formed in 1974 in order to create a 32 County Socialist
Republic. In those 35 years, military volunteers and political
activists have fought with courage and honour and have struck at the
heart of the British military and political machine in Ireland and in
Britain. The INLA is a key constituency within the Republican
Socialist Movement. The INLA recognised that its struggle was based
upon two distinct phases:
1. Armed Resistance
2. Political Organisation
In 1994, the INLA put in place a no first strike policy and in 1998
called a complete ceasefire. Both of these decisions were based on
its political analysis and monitoring of the changing military and
political environment. The recent progress on loyalist
decommissioning can be traced back to the INLA's no first strike
policy of 1994 and the INLA acknowledges this progressive step by
loyalism.
The RSM has been informed by the INLA that following a process of
serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the
armed struggle is over and the objective of a 32 County Socialist
Republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political
struggle.
The RSM agree with this analysis and are fully supportive of the move
to build a left wing party that has a clear objective of a 32 County
Socialist Republic based on the principles of equality, justice,
inclusion, human rights and dignity.
It is within the above objective that the RSM opposed the Good Friday
Agreement and continues to do so. We as a movement believe that the
Six County State is not a viable political entity, which cannot be
reformed and fitted into a flawed two state solution.
The RSM has always aspired to the principle of the primacy of
politics as espoused by Ta Power.
The future struggles are political. We urge all comrades, members,
volunteers and supporters to join the political struggle ahead with
the same vigour, commitment and courage that was evident in our armed
struggle against the British State.
To paraphrase James Connolly, "let us arise," build a left political
alternative in Ireland and support the struggle against global
capitalism.
Ultimately our allegiance is to the working class. Onwards to victory.
###
Irish Republican Socialist Party
Costello House
392B Falls Road
Belfast BT12 6DH
Ireland
Click here for IRSM website
11 October 2009
Irish Republican Socialist Party
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN
SOCIALIST MOVEMENT
The Irish National Liberation Army and Irish Republican Socialist
Party were formed in 1974 in order to create a 32 County Socialist
Republic. In those 35 years, military volunteers and political
activists have fought with courage and honour and have struck at the
heart of the British military and political machine in Ireland and in
Britain. The INLA is a key constituency within the Republican
Socialist Movement. The INLA recognised that its struggle was based
upon two distinct phases:
1. Armed Resistance
2. Political Organisation
In 1994, the INLA put in place a no first strike policy and in 1998
called a complete ceasefire. Both of these decisions were based on
its political analysis and monitoring of the changing military and
political environment. The recent progress on loyalist
decommissioning can be traced back to the INLA's no first strike
policy of 1994 and the INLA acknowledges this progressive step by
loyalism.
The RSM has been informed by the INLA that following a process of
serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the
armed struggle is over and the objective of a 32 County Socialist
Republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political
struggle.
The RSM agree with this analysis and are fully supportive of the move
to build a left wing party that has a clear objective of a 32 County
Socialist Republic based on the principles of equality, justice,
inclusion, human rights and dignity.
It is within the above objective that the RSM opposed the Good Friday
Agreement and continues to do so. We as a movement believe that the
Six County State is not a viable political entity, which cannot be
reformed and fitted into a flawed two state solution.
The RSM has always aspired to the principle of the primacy of
politics as espoused by Ta Power.
The future struggles are political. We urge all comrades, members,
volunteers and supporters to join the political struggle ahead with
the same vigour, commitment and courage that was evident in our armed
struggle against the British State.
To paraphrase James Connolly, "let us arise," build a left political
alternative in Ireland and support the struggle against global
capitalism.
Ultimately our allegiance is to the working class. Onwards to victory.
###
Irish Republican Socialist Party
Costello House
392B Falls Road
Belfast BT12 6DH
Ireland
Click here for IRSM website
'Armed struggle is over' - INLA
Both the BBC and RTE have reported a significant development in the history of the Irish National Liberation Army. This weblog recognises the importance role of Ireland's Republican Socialist Movement towards peace and an end to sectarianism. For improved communities and an end to the drugs problem in society.
The Scottish Republican Socialist Newsletter salute the INLA and RSM for this brave decision.
BBC Report below:
'Armed struggle is over' - INLA
INLA men at funeral in 1996
The INLA has been on ceasefire for 11 years
An Irish republican paramilitary group responsible for dozens of murders during Northern Ireland's Troubles has renounced violence.
The Irish National Liberation Army said its "armed struggle is over".
The INLA said it would pursue its objectives from now on by "exclusively peaceful political struggle".
Its statement did not mention weapons decommissioning, but it is understood talks have begun and the government hopes the process will begin in months.
A small group which proved itself to be ruthless during the Troubles, it has been on ceasefire for 11 years.
The statement was issued through its political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, at an event in Bray, County Wicklow on Sunday.
"The republican socialist movement has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over," it said.
"The objective of a 32-county socialist republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle."
'Deadline'
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said he welcomed the INLA's statement but "it is essential that words are matched to deeds".
Mr Woodward urged the INLA to destroy its weapons before the deadline in February when the decommissioning body is due to be wound up.
Established in 1975, many of its recruits were former members of the Official IRA.
They murdered Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave in 1979 by leaving a bomb under his car at Westminster.
The organisation was also responsible for one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities.
In 1982 it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.
INLA KILLINGS 1975 - 2001
Scene of Droppin' Well bombing
42 civilians
46 UK security forces
16 republican paramilitaries
Seven loyalist paramilitary
Two Irish security forces
Total: 113
Republican figures includes 10 INLA members killed in feuds
*Source: CAIN Troubles archive
Who are the INLA?
In pictures: INLA history
Political reaction
The INLA also murdered loyalist LVF leader Billy Wright at the Maze prison.
Three members of the INLA died in the jail while on hunger strike in the 1980s.
Despite being on ceasefire since 1998, it has carried out a number of shootings and engaged in a wide range of criminal activity.
The group has regularly indulged in bouts of bloody infighting.
In February this year, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.
It is mainly involved in organised crime, such as extortion and robbery.
Last year police investigating the INLA and associates in County Londonderry seized controlled drugs with an estimated value of £10,000.
The INLA has been talking to intermediaries representing the British and Irish governments for several months.
The group is also believed to be engaged in talks with the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain about putting its weapons beyond use.
RTE Report:
INLA ends campaign of violence
Sunday, 11 October 2009 16:17
The INLA has announced that it is to end its armed struggle.
In a statement read out at the commemoration of its founding member, a spokesperson said that it would continue its campaign for a 32 County Socialist Republic through peaceful and political means.
This afternoon in Bray, Co Wicklow, around 60 republicans and socialists gathered for their annual commemoration of Seamus Costello.
Advertisement
He was the man who, 35 years ago, founded the Irish National Liberation Army.
After the traditional wreath -laying ceremony, a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the political wing of the INLA, announced that the organisation had decided to end its armed struggle.
He said that the group had concluded that its objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic was best achieved through peaceful and political means.
The announcement brings to an end a 35 year campaign which has claimed around 150 lives.
After the IRA called its ceasefires in the 90s and eventually ended its campaign, the INLA remained in existence.
The INLA was notorious for the ruthless nature of its attacks and today's decision is both a significant and welcome development.
In recent years it was involved in several murders and has remained active in Derry, Strabane, parts of Belfast and in Dublin.
The PSNI and gardaí often linked it to racketeering and drugs related businesses.
The Scottish Republican Socialist Newsletter salute the INLA and RSM for this brave decision.
BBC Report below:
'Armed struggle is over' - INLA
INLA men at funeral in 1996
The INLA has been on ceasefire for 11 years
An Irish republican paramilitary group responsible for dozens of murders during Northern Ireland's Troubles has renounced violence.
The Irish National Liberation Army said its "armed struggle is over".
The INLA said it would pursue its objectives from now on by "exclusively peaceful political struggle".
Its statement did not mention weapons decommissioning, but it is understood talks have begun and the government hopes the process will begin in months.
A small group which proved itself to be ruthless during the Troubles, it has been on ceasefire for 11 years.
The statement was issued through its political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, at an event in Bray, County Wicklow on Sunday.
"The republican socialist movement has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over," it said.
"The objective of a 32-county socialist republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle."
'Deadline'
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said he welcomed the INLA's statement but "it is essential that words are matched to deeds".
Mr Woodward urged the INLA to destroy its weapons before the deadline in February when the decommissioning body is due to be wound up.
Established in 1975, many of its recruits were former members of the Official IRA.
They murdered Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave in 1979 by leaving a bomb under his car at Westminster.
The organisation was also responsible for one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities.
In 1982 it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.
INLA KILLINGS 1975 - 2001
Scene of Droppin' Well bombing
42 civilians
46 UK security forces
16 republican paramilitaries
Seven loyalist paramilitary
Two Irish security forces
Total: 113
Republican figures includes 10 INLA members killed in feuds
*Source: CAIN Troubles archive
Who are the INLA?
In pictures: INLA history
Political reaction
The INLA also murdered loyalist LVF leader Billy Wright at the Maze prison.
Three members of the INLA died in the jail while on hunger strike in the 1980s.
Despite being on ceasefire since 1998, it has carried out a number of shootings and engaged in a wide range of criminal activity.
The group has regularly indulged in bouts of bloody infighting.
In February this year, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.
It is mainly involved in organised crime, such as extortion and robbery.
Last year police investigating the INLA and associates in County Londonderry seized controlled drugs with an estimated value of £10,000.
The INLA has been talking to intermediaries representing the British and Irish governments for several months.
The group is also believed to be engaged in talks with the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain about putting its weapons beyond use.
RTE Report:
INLA ends campaign of violence
Sunday, 11 October 2009 16:17
The INLA has announced that it is to end its armed struggle.
In a statement read out at the commemoration of its founding member, a spokesperson said that it would continue its campaign for a 32 County Socialist Republic through peaceful and political means.
This afternoon in Bray, Co Wicklow, around 60 republicans and socialists gathered for their annual commemoration of Seamus Costello.
Advertisement
He was the man who, 35 years ago, founded the Irish National Liberation Army.
After the traditional wreath -laying ceremony, a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the political wing of the INLA, announced that the organisation had decided to end its armed struggle.
He said that the group had concluded that its objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic was best achieved through peaceful and political means.
The announcement brings to an end a 35 year campaign which has claimed around 150 lives.
After the IRA called its ceasefires in the 90s and eventually ended its campaign, the INLA remained in existence.
The INLA was notorious for the ruthless nature of its attacks and today's decision is both a significant and welcome development.
In recent years it was involved in several murders and has remained active in Derry, Strabane, parts of Belfast and in Dublin.
The PSNI and gardaí often linked it to racketeering and drugs related businesses.
INLA in BBC report
The BBC have reported that the INLA are to renounce violence. The BBC bourgeois media reports:
Click here for BBC report
An Irish republican paramilitary group responsible for hundreds of murders during Northern Ireland's troubles is to announce it is renouncing violence.
It is expected that the Irish National Liberation Army will say on Sunday afternoon that in future it will pursue exclusively peaceful means.
The INLA is a small but ruthless group that murdered more than 150 people, but has been on ceasefire for 11 years.
The group is expected to decommission its weapons within months.
The INLA was established in 1975, with many recruits being former members of the Official IRA.
They murdered Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave in 1979 by leaving a bomb under his car at Westminster.
The organisation was also responsible for one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities.
In 1982 it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.
The INLA also murdered loyalist LVF leader Billy Wright at the Maze prison. Three members of the INLA died in the jail while on hunger strike in the 1980s.
Despite being on ceasefire since 1998 it has carried out a number of shootings and engaged in a wide range of criminal activity.
The group has regularly indulged in bouts of bloody infighting.
In February this year, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.
It is mainly involved in organised crime, such as extortion and robbery.
Last year police investigating the INLA and associates in County Londonderry seized controlled drugs with an estimated value of £10,000.
The INLA has been taking with intermediaries representing the British and Irish governments for several months.
The group is also believed to be engaged in talks with the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain about putting its weapons beyond use.
My own view is that it is to their credit for holding to their ceasefire for 11 years. The IRSP/INLA have done a lot of good work against drug barons and improving the community particularly in Strabane.
It could be supposition from the bourgeois media. I rather wait for a statement from them.
Larry
Click here for BBC report
An Irish republican paramilitary group responsible for hundreds of murders during Northern Ireland's troubles is to announce it is renouncing violence.
It is expected that the Irish National Liberation Army will say on Sunday afternoon that in future it will pursue exclusively peaceful means.
The INLA is a small but ruthless group that murdered more than 150 people, but has been on ceasefire for 11 years.
The group is expected to decommission its weapons within months.
The INLA was established in 1975, with many recruits being former members of the Official IRA.
They murdered Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Airey Neave in 1979 by leaving a bomb under his car at Westminster.
The organisation was also responsible for one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities.
In 1982 it killed 17 people in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.
The INLA also murdered loyalist LVF leader Billy Wright at the Maze prison. Three members of the INLA died in the jail while on hunger strike in the 1980s.
Despite being on ceasefire since 1998 it has carried out a number of shootings and engaged in a wide range of criminal activity.
The group has regularly indulged in bouts of bloody infighting.
In February this year, the INLA claimed responsibility for the murder of a drug dealer in Londonderry.
It is mainly involved in organised crime, such as extortion and robbery.
Last year police investigating the INLA and associates in County Londonderry seized controlled drugs with an estimated value of £10,000.
The INLA has been taking with intermediaries representing the British and Irish governments for several months.
The group is also believed to be engaged in talks with the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, General John de Chastelain about putting its weapons beyond use.
My own view is that it is to their credit for holding to their ceasefire for 11 years. The IRSP/INLA have done a lot of good work against drug barons and improving the community particularly in Strabane.
It could be supposition from the bourgeois media. I rather wait for a statement from them.
Larry
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