German Solidarity

After an initial period of confusion over the nature of the struggle in the North of Ireland the German Left is now beginning to realise its responsibilities in helping Irish revolutionaries to overcome their international isolation and counter the mystifications spread by British propaganda. News and analyses of the current situation in Ireland can frequently be found in the left wing = press, and actions like the daubing of the British consulate in Hamburg with solidarity slogans on the first anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" mark a definite step forward. The first step towards systematic Irish solidarity work was taken by groups with direct - links with Irish revolutionaries: the German section of the Fourth ‘International, Gruppe Internatlonale Marxisten, which initiated a "Free Ireland Solidarity Committee", and the West German Agency of the Official Republican movement. The Free Ireland Solidarity committee organised a speaking tour of West German universities with Bob Purdie of the AIL and representatives of PD and the © Provisional Republican movement. The Officials were also invited. Hundreds of people turned up at every meeting. Branches of the committee were set up and a journal called "Fretes Irland" launched which carried photos, news and analytical background material plus interviews with Republican leaders. Parallel to these activities, the West German agency of the Officials started publishing "IRA Info" and they also organised a speaking tour with Tony Heffernan of Sinn Fein.

These initiatives have done a lot to introduce the issue of Ireland into German politics, and there is certainly a basis for broad united front activities in support of the Irish struggle. : . Copies of the "Fretes Irland" journal and information about the work of the Solidarity Committee ~ can be obtained from: Freies Irland c/o 6 Frankfurt, Leisnerstr. 14. West Germany. ‘H. Mintoff