“Expose the British Assassins The assassination attempt on Bernadette…”

Expose the British Assassins The assassination attempt on Bernadette and Michael McAliskey has finally brought home the extent of the attacks on the anti-imperialist and minority population in the Six Counties and in particular the H Block/Armagh Committee, There can be no doubt there is plan to eliminate leading militants in the H Block/Armagh Campaign. Their shooting is the latest and most significant incident in the catalogue of horrors perpetrated by the British and their Loyalist allies, There is strong evidence which points to British collusion in the shooting of Bernadette and Michael McAliskey. British troops of the parachute regiment staked out the house for three days. The regiment at present stationed in the area is the Argyle and Southerland Highlanders. The parachutists are from 50 miles away in Omagh. The Brits allowed the assassins to do their dirty work and only then arrested them, The assassins are UDA members, The RUC is calling them Red Hand Commandos in order to protect the UDA. The RUC and Brits provide intelligence for this Loyalist gang, and obviously know where they are to strike next. They left Bernadette defenceless by refusing to allow her to have a revolver, An enquiry would expose elements of British treachery and murderous intent, The H Block/Armagh campaign has had to contend with vicious attempts to harass, intimidate and murder supporters of the political prisoners, The mass mobilisations all over Ireland shocked the British because they assumed that they had beaten the resistance out of us, The only force strong enough to send the British government packing once and for all is the mass mobilisation of the Irish VOL.4 No.1 people, stood this simple truth and was convincing many more, she has been the victim of the assassin's Because Bernadette under- bullet, John Hume and Gerry Fitt have been quick to denounce the assassins.

vain, 12p This is worthless since they denounce nearly everything that comes their way. Their role vis a vis the H Block/Armagh campaign was disgraceful and if anything, helped legitimise attacks on the committee. Hume said it was a "campaign run by paramilitaries", thus giving the impression that those on the committee should expect to get shot. They both attacked Bernadette, Every effort should be made to build the Dump Fitt campaign.

What of the Irish Government? Charles Haughey can sip tea with Margaret Thatcher but he appears unable to openly demand that the British call off their terror campaign. He did not openly support the demands of the H Block/Armagh prisoners despite the fact that the majority of the Irish people wished him to do so, What is he afraid of? Charles Haughey and Fianna Fati must bear a measure of responsibility for the terror unleashed against the Nationalist population and its leaders, Unless the Irish government, openly and without equivocation, calls on the British government to disarm and disband the RUC, the UDR and their allies In the other unofficial loyalist militias, they will stand condemned as cowards and cynics, Ultimately this is the only course which will save the lives they claim they wish to preserve.

Bernadette has shown the immediate way forward; continue to press the H Block/Armagh campaign to a successful conclusion; rely only on our own strength and force those« who claim to speak in our name to do as we want. Whether they be in Fianna Fail, the SOLP or in the leadership of the Trade Union movement, they must be forced to act in our real interests, We must ensure the long suffering prisoners are not forced into any corners. The ball isin our court,

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iF BS PA