The article on "Bombings - who's to blame?' (Red Weekly, 1 April) was very principles on which a movement in solidarity with the Irish revolution should be built. However, I felt it was very evasive on what specific attitude socialists should adopt towards a Republican bombing campaign in Britain.
opportunist nature or une internationa Socialists, who tie 'Troops Out' to the planting or bombs in britain and pay only lip service to the principle of self-determination. It also correctly nit on the dilemma of the Provisionals - their complete lack of political strategy in turning to a bombing campaign that rejects any role for the British working class in the struggle for irish freedom However, the article was very loose on wnat we snould arque tor when the bombs start in British cities. It is not enough to say that what we have to do is build a movement based on 'Troops Out - Self-determination for the Irish People'. We have to say that we defend 100 per cent the right of the Irish people to bring the war over to Britain After eight centuries of national oppression, 50 vears of Orange rule internment, harassment, and denial of pasic riguis by the britisn over tne irish they have every right to bring the war over to britain. useful as regards the correct revolutionary The article correctly pointed out the record).
We do of course say that the tactic of bombing the British working class into a 'Troops Out' position is mistaken. Were we on the Army Council of the Provisionals, we would vote against employing such a tactic, but alas, we are not in such a position, and have no right whatsoever to insist that the Irish struggle is fine and should be supported only so long as the Irish keep it to themselves.
This, of course, does not mean that we should capitulate to every twist and turn of the Provisional leadership. We should polemicise with them at all times. But this can only be on the basis of genutnery snowing in action that wi solidarise with their struggle (something on which Red Weekly does have a proud This also should not mean that the only campaign we build on ireland is one of pure principles and on a 'solidarity position'. It is absolutely correct to build a movement on Ireland which draws in the widest torces possible, and the latest Troops Out Movement campaign based on simply 'Britain out of Ireland' is an absolutely correct way to progress However, within that movement we do have to explain exactly what should be the correct revolutionary position. I feel that Red Weekly was very evasive on this in the article on the bombings -IO Soviet Union an interview A. In fact, there are certain signs of a
for it. First, the very severe repression of the opposition by the KGB, a repression that began in 1968 and was stepped up ian resistance has in fact been crushed, but I don't think it will remain so for very long.
The second reason is the gap that exists between certain currents and the Red Weekly 15 April 1976