Fenian Notes

Irish Republicanism has a two hundred year history of honourable resistance to immoral and illegal British rule by coercion in Ireland. The resistance to tyrannical, assumed power by an alien force is a long established right enshrined by the successful rebellion of the American Colonies.

With the defection of various so-called Republican factions since Partition, there have been calls by true Republicans for a restatement of what Republicanism is as established by our founders under Theobald Wolfe Tone.

A restatement is excellent for clarity regarding Republicanism, but we must not attempt to redefine what is solid and secure.

The beauty of true Republicanism is its innate simplicity. The goal of Republicans is the withdrawal of all remnants of British power from Irish soil and the establishment of our own unified state. Again, within its own simplicity, Republicanism does not allow for halfway measures or stepping stones.

The British and their allies are continuing an elitist progression of colonial behaviour through the Partition process. The progressive step is for London to inform the Irish people of their willingness to facilitate an all-Irish solution to an all-Irish need.

America should judge Ireland by first judging itself so that it fully understands the legitimacy of Irish Republicanism, which to a general degree has extrapolated ideas from American Republicanism which was admired by Theobald Wolfe Tone. George Mitchell should not be reviewing the Stormont Agreement, but he should review the American Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson, the author of that revered document noted many times in debate the struggle of the Irish against the British. He viewed it as an international struggle against tyranny beyond borders and saw the American and Irish struggles especially as one.

During the past 30 years of resistance, the British and Irish governments have committed officially sanctioned atrocities that have not been debated in the Partition "Peace" Process. The Process, as constituted, allows them off without rectification and imposes a sudden moral aura around the governments.

George Mitchell’s review is just another way to justify the continued subjugation of the natives by offering them a moral stage on which they will be taken out of barbarism and permitted to ascend to British and American civilisation. This is subtle condescending racism that many feign to see. Now, Mitchell, they say, is a fair man open to all sides and how well that may be, but his brief is ultimately controlled by London.

Senator Mitchell has not opted to include all opinions in his analysis of the options for Ireland. He accepted there had to be a British base.

At the start, George Mitchell announced he was open to all parties, representatives and ideas and we can accept this coming strictly from him as valid.

CO-OPTED

However, as he got deeper into situation, he was co-opted by London, Dublin and Washington to see the target in different terms. The way had been paved and ideas must be limited.

Specifically, Mr Mitchell in a meeting with Republican Sinn Féin representative, Mary Ward, committed to meet a Republican Sinn Féin delegation in Ireland which was later refused.

The Dublin government and SDLP/Provos found out about this and panicked because Republican Sinn Féin maintains Republicanism which further manifests their sell-out.

The Provos claim the process to be a stepping stone, but look at what has transpired. We have a British process, a British regional parliament, a revised British police force with Provo participation, an ultimate British veto on anything proposed and continued Partition accepted by all participating parties.

What was the real reason George Mitchell did not meet with Republican Sinn Féin? It is the same reason that many Republican Sinn Féin leaders are denied US visas and that is fear of the message.

The Provos especially fear the message which is pure ethical Republicanism that incisively manifests the disparity with the Provos-adopted Free State message, which they are touting as the revised Republicanism.

The Provos cannot nullify true Republicanism by fitting bits of it into their scheme for participation in British affairs, politics and government inclusive of the police force.

They are the Free Staters of 1999, joining the descendants of the Free Staters of the 26 Counties and this fact must be admitted by the Provos and their supporters.

We true Republicans must and will stay committed to our agenda in these turbulent times while Gerry Adams becomes an icon for ascendant Free Staters. Where is Mr Adam’s moral justification for causing a rebellion against true Republicanism?

Those who hold true to principle have a mandate to restore a moral order within Republicanism. Those Republicans who have accepted Adams’s Free State-accented Republicanism must not succumb to the dramatic mood swing of Mr Adams and the Free State Provos.

Separate patterns have emerged as the Free State coalition claims power and emerges as the result of the Partition "Peace" process in both parts of the British-divided island.

The Provos pronounce Republicanism but practice Free Statism in their new patterned agenda while true Republicans are lumped as dissidents.

While fooling their own supporters the Provos have achieved their aspired agenda. Let’s look at the truth and publicly point out what the Provos have achieved.

They have first and foremost recognised the authority of the British government over the Six Counties which is anathema to basic Republicanism. They are agreed to be in the British regional parliament at Stormont and on the British Executive.

They are allotted two places on the British Police Authority. They support the British Police Authority. They support the British Partition "Peace" Process demanding the British enforce it. Is this in any shape related to Irish Republicanism?

Trends are on the Provo reliance on the SDLP, Dublin and the Brits to bolster their agenda which is to be part of the Partition Process. The thirst for power by Provo leaders is causing internal conflicts which could turn bitter.

The energy of the Provisional Free State party is into maintaining the status quo and the positions of the leaders who are well paid by the British. When you are bought off by the enemy you have no character and you have sold your soul.

DISGRACE

The support offered to the Provos by Irish Americans is a roaring disgrace that permits elected leaders off the hook to support the Brits where once these same leaders had to criticise the British because of their misconduct which has conveniently been forgotten.

The British leaders are war criminals and should be made to pay a price for their actions. True Republicans must demand retribution or take it, because the British owe a debt by their unanswered atrocities. We cannot visit this issue enough.

After World War II, people of good heart vowed that the callous treatment of human beings perpetrated by the Nazis could not be permitted again. Although on a smaller scale, but still as callous, it has happened again in Ireland and no "peace" process can whitewash it.

What is the proper definition of a war criminal? The modern definition of this vile animal was an outgrowth of World War II created by the USA and its allies after their victory in the war. Criminals are only tried by victors.

The situation in Ireland is one of defeat by the Provo surrender so no Brit will be brought to a tribunal as a war criminal. However, the true Republican has not surrendered and at some point in victory, Brits will be exposed as the criminals they are.

It is possible that a third party nation might accede to convening a tribunal for indicting British war criminals. Why couldn’t we do it here in the United States?

International law is difficult to enforce so it is basically theoretical though quite moral in its prognostications. The British leaders for 30 years have committed grievous human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

Justice should not belong to the powerful, but to the righteous. The Provos have turned their back on justice in favour of "peace" and salaries.

The British leaders, in particular Margaret Thatcher, fills the bill of perpetrators of war crimes. The post World War II Nuremberg Tribunal defines war crimes as violations of the laws or customs of war.

Such violations include, but are not limited to, murder, ill-treatment of civilian population, wanton destruction of cities, towns, villages or devastation not justified by military necessity.

Crimes against humanity are namely, murder and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population, before or during the war.

Margaret Thatcher et al are self-indicted by their crimes which they have tried to justify but such abuse is not justifiable under any circumstances.

There is a price on their heads and the price is enactment of simple long overdue justice. This issue must be stressed to candidates in the 2000 election in the United States.

ASSASSINATION OF CIVILIANS

Margaret Thatcher et al used assassination of civilians as a tactic in the British dirty war against the Irish people. The Republican Movement has a collective conscience while the British never have. By the indictment of rejection of moral responsibility, British leaders are subject to the most grievous sentence. Since there is no international entity to carry out that sentence, the Republican Movement has such a right, if it so chose.

Who gives them that right? Our hunger strikers, our martyrs, our tortured brothers and sisters and the authority and legitimacy as a nation held by the true Republican Movement, until such a time as the ancient Irish nation is unified and free and endorsed by that legitimacy.

As a people, we cannot forget the centuries of abuse of our nationhood by the British. To do so negates any pretence to rule which prima facie destroys the efforts of the Free State coalition of Dublin, SDLP and the Provos.

Support for the Provos on both sides of the Atlantic should end. The wake up call is the so-called peace process itself which direction is toward Partition and a total embrace of things British by the Free State coalition.

Wake up Irish America and see the truth, and make politicians aware we want justice and a permanent peace.
— Peadar Mac Fhínín