Why has Carey advocated a more extensive boycott of Britain for its repressive policies?
Why has Moynihan said that the US will not be patient forever" the question of a united Ireland?
All these gentlemen are highly influential. The saying goes that the 'Tip' U Neill slands tor influence presidents. Kennedy came second behind Carter with O'Neill third in a recent public opinion poll in the USA on who was the most powerful American. Moynihan is one of the leaders of the Democrat's right wing while Carey is governor of the second largest state in the USA.
Other American politicians, notably aes have made strenged MeCiovern Mario Biagei criticism of Britain's role in Ireland than have the lour haremen' they are dubbed. But it is influence and power these four have which make their statements mean something. And this raises a further puzzle concerning the role President Carter played in all this.
Spectacle The answer to these and other riddles the ridiculous pectacle of the USA posing as che chandons rights Ireland begins with a recognicion of the state of play in the Six Counties British policy in Ireland is in one big mess. The recently leaked top confirms that the Provisionals have the ability and support to carry on their resistance as long choose.
The electson successes Loyalist right confirms the estant population are as unlikely to endorse a 'compromise' settlement as ever they were. British policy inself S, in American language, a destabilising factor?
If British politicians are reluctant on to face these facts the Americans are nol. When William the Sunningdale settlement ssued public sratements of approval. When Merlyn Rees refused to give in to the Loyalist demands for a return 1o Sornont the issued their strongest criticism so far appeared le be scttlement the American avoided any "human rights" criticism. TaDO Their attitudes changed after two was between Top the Callaghan al which, i has reported, Callachan agreed he had done a deal with the Unionists at Westminster to allow Lahour to stay in power. The second meeting was between Moynilan and Roy Mason after which. the New York Times absolutely duzed. He was quoled as saving of Mason. *He intention of doing anyching, about Northern Ireland excepi keeping Lie British there. there is no political will co seltie The problems such a stance poses was summed up in a pre-clection interview with Kennedy in the Belfast Telegraph, complained Kennedy, "
they 100 march against PTA ProrWhitelaw was "power-sharing" and terror, Kennedy there is a diminished if nothing happens'.
Tour horsemen" Equivocate
attempting some big-wigs J Neill and heen from MoGovern, cheerfully according to Moynihan was had internal to Democratie Party politics. right-wing Democratic Carter's Toreign policy. continues to More than 100 people, including British socialists and Irish Republicans murclied last Saturday against the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
They were on their way to Briston prison to protest the delention of Jimmy Scanion, a beilding worker and member of the IRSP Support Group. Jimmy is being held In Brixion while his appeal against deportation is being heard. personally feel extremely strongly about the need to condemn violence the koeper But our ability to influence and convince people that better way would be united Ireland.
Busily following his policy repression Roy Mason ensured that nothing did happen. But in America realised thal lenders of the 'political initiative" Irish-American lobby were attracting increasing criticism for their silence Catholic Countics such as himself.
threasened to "black' British goods movement pressure can be added the increasing Government. attention Britain was attracting to itself, and by implication the Western Britain There were also factors at work critics Kennedy equivocate on his presidential intentions and O'Neill as the Democratic machine can act as an unofficial spokesperson for Carter. Each had good political reasons to pose as the champions of human rights Ireland. Some may even have an emotional attachment to the idea of a If all this waso't cnough there is the friendship beiween Kennedy and week: John Hume of the SDLP who also the longer Britain's was put off the larger was the loss of influence on the population the reformist politicians The Americans did try and lobby the British on their worries. 'dazed" them was the complete lack the The only option they had left was to go public Ar the centre of their concern. governmental or otherwise, is tha permits an Increasingly unstable sitoation to develop in Ireland from which anything could emerge. It is for this reason that the best informed advisors of the British bourgeoisie in this country welcomed the American's intervention. The Economist described O'Neill's "pohtical football' statement as 'one of the most sensible, speeches abur his oll. forelathers country ever made'. The Financial Times judged the collective intervention as 'no bad thing". situation developing in Ireland. Fo British politicians this might seem Hut US imperialism has learnt the hard way that Tar-off nossibilities come uncomfortably fas Ethey are not dealt with in time. Ireland, and the rights of potentia voters to hear what their candidate has to say *Iwant it to go on record that if 1 am convicted on these spurious charges I will in no way cooperate with the authorities — 1 will pay no fine, nor will 1 be bound over and if 1 am sene to jail, 1 will go on hunger strike untill am released."
A petition demanding the right of free speech on dropping of all charges against Pas will he presented to the Home Office and the Cardiff Chief Constable this Signatories include Lords Anthony Gifford and George McLeod Emlyn Williams (S Wales NUM President), Arthur Scargill and Neil Кіллоск МР.
Liverpool arrests 'DON'T wrile in any left-wing puper about police il-treatment' was th warning given to Colin Maguire and Alf Cotterell when they were releused after two days detention ander the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The two, members of the IRSP support groep in Liverpool, wer arrested after collecting money for H All suffers front cancer of the stomach. But this did not prevent police keeping bim and Colin in isolation cells with lights permanenti)
Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead, has written to Merseyside police and put down a question in Commons demanding explanation of police conduct.
But only action by the labour movement will stop more names being added to those scrulched deep in the walls of the Bridewell isolation cells. Socialist Challenge 14 June 1979 page 7