AS SINN FEIN'S elected representatives to the Northern Ireland Assembly have been excluded from Britain by the combined effort of the Thatcher government and Foot leadership of the Labour Party, it is necessary to go to Belfast to interview them. Martin Collins went to the Falls Road for Socialist Action to talk with DANNY Fein.
In Republican News, you have covered both Livingstone's visit and the Ireland's conference on plastic bullets. vou see developino a solidaritv movement in Kri tain? -We think the best development would be a broad movement for withdrawal.
Britain — that just alienates opinion.
When Livingstone says he wants peace, and the best way to get it is through withdrawal, he has had a popular appeal. That way he wins the support of people for agree with Irish self-determination.
Livingstone thinks that the best way for the Party to promote declare its intention to withdraw from within the inal provides a userui starting polnt. How do you view recent discussions on an 'all Jreland forum'?
The FitzGerald government in the South is trying to restore the credibility of the SDLP. we DeSS dangerous project - basically they are sketching out detalls of a tuture Ireland in the absence of the Unionists and making concessions to them in advalle.
Once British withdrawal becomes likely, and the Unionists get forced into discussions, they will feel free to demand further retreats.
We want to get over our view of the future, which is for a socialist republic. We do not support a partitioned or federated state.
The left has chipped away at Labour's bipartisan Irish policy, winning Prevention of Terrorism Act and plastic bullets. This year, the LCI is withdraw support from the Assembly yet you seem to have dropped the campaign.
This was a strong feature in our election campaign, but up until now it nas been diricult to carry 1t through. The Assembly had not acquired a sinister image on the streets. It looked as if the wrangling amongst the Unionists would prevent it getting of the ground, and many felt that the imminence of the Westminster elections with the possible ching of Prior pearing into thin air.
Now the 'Scrutiny Committees' and so on have been established, the project for a restoration of a Stormont-type body is much clearer. Itating a conterence to discuss details of a mass action campaign against the Assembly.
going the IRSP who would participate.
What plans have been laid for a follow up to Ken's visit with a larger delegation?
He has gone back and is taking soundings, working out the best way to proceed. We have made it clear we will fit in with whatever seems tactically best. Obviously the second and third delegations might have a diminishing pre arent ao on receiving delegations until the of the war.
We want to continue the dialogue.
Danny MORRISON of Sinn do We have no interest in quite reactionary reasons the campaign is to life of the next Labour government.
Why else are THE LABOUR Steering Committee Against Witch-hunts Against the Witch-hunt launch a joint campaign to defend the five editors of Militant exnelled hv the Party's NEC last month.
They aim to win wider SUUUl for the stand taken by forty-four Consutuency Labour Parties who have signed an advertisement in Tribune declaring that they will not expe Militant supporters.
Representatives of the two campaigns agreed las Wednesday launch appeal TO] Turne signatories to the advertisement. and a second in stalment of the advertisepublished in early May. ment due be The first advertisement attracted considerable atlenton earler this month because it established that the NEC was likely to experience considerable practical difficulties in carrying through its expulsions. Among the signatories Islington Central Hammersmith North CLPs whose members include editors Peter Taafe. Ted Grant and Keith Dickenson. Delete The GCs of these parties have subsequently confirmed by large malorities that thev wil no1 comply with the NEC's request to delete the names of these litelong socialists their membership recorus. Editors The anti-witchhunt bodies also discussing common activisecure the instatement of the five editors by the next Labour and a broad campaign has also been suggested for the adoption of the Greenwich amendment to the conOfficers, Labour Against the Witchstitution of the Labour This would establish the right of all groups to operate in the party who accept its aims and objec. tives and who do not stand candidates analis elections.
movement bodies individuals wishing to add their name: to the Tribune advertisement when next published should write, enclosing £3, to. Tribune advertisement, I1 Wilderton Road, Lon. don N16.