Re: IRA and decommissioninng

[Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A fuller reply will have to come from Phil but Sean has at least given us
part of the answer. What we need to do is to ask why the demands for the
IRA to give up its guns. Sinn Fein have given up the struggle against the
British State. They are openly part of the administration of Northern
Ireland and according to news paper reports are enjoying the experience of
being in government.

The IRA have been observing a cease fire but that is not sufficient for the
British.  They seek and demand a total victory over the insurgents.  the
arms = not only the capacity to resist militarily but more significantly
also establishes the legitimacy of an armed struggle against the
bourgeoisie.  That as I take it is the meaning of the Marx quote that Sean
gave us.

There is also the historical tradition of Irish Republicanism which in such
a movement is of great importance.  The IRA never gives up its
weapons.  Throughout all the retreats and defeats they have held on to
their arm caches.  For Adams to deliver the guns to the British, as no
doubt he wants to, would be to put an enormous strain on his hold over the
republican movement.  It is important to note that recently he haws been
promising Irish unity i.e. victory over the British by 2016.

Got to dash off and hand out how to vote cards for the Greens -God forgive
me! From the sublime to the ridiculous.  Will return to this when Phil has

regards

Gary



  At 11:23  4/02/00 +0000, you wrote:
>Can anybody furnish a comprehensive answer as to the IRA will not
>surrender their
>munitions.
>
>Warm regards
>George Pennefather
>
>Be free to check out our Communist Think-Tank web site at
>http://homepage.eircom.net/~beprepared/
>
>Be free to subscribe to our Communist Think-Tank mailing community by
>simply placing subscribe in the body of the message at the following address:
>mailto:rev-commies-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx
>
>