no solution THE fundamental problem for Ireland is the division brought about by the British. Until Britain withdraws there will never be peace in Ireland. One year on, we can clearly say that the Anglo-Irish Accord is a failure. That is inevitable. Such a solution cannot work because the border division is founded on a sectarian head-count in the north aimed at creating a talse majority in favour of union with Britain. The Accord was designed to show that the government in the south recognised the 6 counties. It was an attempt to make the division of Ireland permanent — that is, to take a step backwards. I believe it was also designed, in the longer term, to bring Ireland into closer relations One year of the Anglo Irish Accord:
with the United States and finally to make Ireland part of NATO.
resounding about more violence, not less. Its supporters may have felt that the situation would be alleviated - in relation to the no-jury Diplock courts, strip searching, greater control over the RUC, and so on. But the whole gamut of oppression goes on as before. The changes were just cosmetic. In this context the recent decision of the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis unity is The Hillsborough agreement has brought SUCCE to change its policy of abstentionism in relation to the Dail, was, I believe, the right one.
It is essential that Sinn Fein wins support and brings about changes in the south. Irish La fundamental question for the British labour movement. It is essential that the dialogue which is beginning between the British and Irish labour movement is continued and deepened. And it is essential that the British labour movement recognise the real nature of the Anglo-Irish Accord. It must recognise that no progress towards a solution can be made until Britain withdraws from Ireland - and demand that the Labour commits itself to leaving (national was historic. It voted, by 429 to 161, to end Sinn Fein's refusal to take seats to which it is elected in the sourthern Irish parliament. This decision has sent a shock wave through Irish and British politics. It means for the first time a party dedicated to British withdrawal from Ireland will be challenging the parties in the south of Ireland which have propped up British rule in the North. Because of the historic nature of this decision we are printing the major part of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adam's address to the Ard Fheis on abstentionism. We believe it is one of the most important speeches ever made by an Irish republican leader. TO BEGIN with, I would like to express, on your behalf, from this Ard-Fheis, our solidarity with political prisoners throughout the world and especially to Irish political prisoners in jails in Ireland, the USA, Europe and in Much has happened since we assembled here last year. Sean MacManus, our party chairperson, dealt in detail with many of these developments in his address last night and I will make only passing reference to some of the most important ones here.
Despite all the best efforts of the British Dublin governments, despite all the bluster of Fine Gael or their Northern representatives, the SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party), despite the bullies of the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), Sinn Fein has not gone away.
The IRA is also still around. The Volunteer soldiers of Oglaigh na hEireann (the Irish Republican Army), now 17 years in the field, have demonstrated, time and again in the past 12 months, that they are unbeaten and unbroken.
It is no accident that when Conor Cruise O'Brien was quite properly chased ignominiously out of South Amrica Dy students tney chantea. vic tory to the ANC! Victory to the IRA!' We share their contempt for Dr O'Brien and we also share their solidarity in our common struggles. We extend that solidarity to national liberation armies throughout the world.
You will be asked to consider and support a motion from the Ard Chomhairle (leadership), and from cumainn (branches) and comhairli ceantair (districts) throughout Ireland, calling for a change in our abstentionist attitude to Leinster House.
We are a political organisation and political organisations must, by their verv nature discuss and debate issues which they consider pertinent. We cannot do so properly unless all sides of the argument are articulated, unless all sides are accorded equal respect and consideration and unless all are bound by the democratic wishes of their comrades.
The Ard-Fheis is the supreme authority in Sinn Fein - not the Ard Chomhairle, not the Coiste Seasta, not the president. The assembled delegates of an Ard-Fheis are the authority. You are the leadership.
Many republicans have deep and justifiably strong feelings about abstentionism. I share and I understand those feelings. But none of us, regardless of the strength of our views, has the right to present the establishment and our opponents with the opportunity to project internationally the spectacle of yet another republican 'split'. continued on page 2
Socialist Action 7 Nov 1986