THE FIFTEENTH anniversary of the troops being sent into Northern Ireland was marked by TV images of the most appalling brutality of the RUC. A symbolic gesture if you like to underline the irreformability of the sectarian Six County state.
Even Official Unionist remarked 'our police force needs investigation and enquiry like they need a hole in the head'. Confirmation of the armed struggle from an unusual source!
Liberal opinion at least has the merit occasionally being able to see what is going on when on peak time David Steel respondimmediately with the this charte illal was rolice riot. Even Shirley Williams had comparisons to make with the murder peaceful protestors some time earner Peterloo.
There is no solution to the 'problems of Ulster' to be found inside the gerryrandered North. Only the die-hard loyalists of the Militant tendency persist in the idea that the copWIll lie down' bigots will evolve into acmocrats. Belatedly supporting the campaign plastic bullets, their response to Sunday's carried the acidic sting which laid the blame for Sean Downes' death at the door of Sinn Fein on the grounds that their provocalve stance did nothing to ease sectarian LensIon.
The publication in the Guardian of Benn's draft Withdrawal Blll Is to be welcomed. cuts ali use manoeuvrings the Tories and Labour's 'not-so-bipartisan-as-we were-before' front bench Icalll Cuisule 'new' Ireland which is just as subservient to the international bankers and investors as ine present.
It says what the far left have been saying since 1969 - there can be no Thomas Passmore British solution as a whole must decide its government and structure. It dismisses Lne so-called tional guarantee to loyalist without ascchuall y backward glance, and is well timed stimulate debate in the movement.
There are those who wish delay phase withdrawal; there those who think that government should set about disarming Ine sectarian state apparatus its predecessors have crealea. WHol should the to Ireland's jails be handed? What future is there for the trade union movement Ine chooses to affiliate to London rather than Dublin?
Such questions are for the irish to answer. It 1s thanks the Committee on Ireland that will have the opportunity for discussion with them. With visits of Sinn Fein no longer arousing national headlines, the barriers to dialogue are being lowered. chance to hear Irish TeC The TUC will have leader Matt Merrigan explain Irish unionists are in favour of Irish reunification and independance. Labour Party conference will be hearing the views of the Republican movement, the movement and unions in Ireland. We should listen well.