DA Assassins The mask slips
Socialist Republic1981Loyalism and unionismThe Southern state and its partiesLoyalism and unionismThe Southern state and its parties
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The most common argument used against the withdrawal of the British fromIrelandis that if such was to occur then a '!bloodbath! wouldensue, TheBritish are there to 'keep the peace!, to separate the 'tribal factions! This argument is developed fur-— ther. Itis claimed that direct intervention by the British gov— ernment in Northern Irelandhas removed the sectarian wrappings of the state and they act impa7— BLOODY CAMPAIGN Such argumentsring very hollow indeed in the face of the continued legal and open exi stence of the UDA. This organisationhascarried outa systematic campaign of terror against Catholicsin the Northin which innocent men, women and children were the deliberate victims, many of them being brutally and sadistically murdered, Its public spokesmen have openly declared their inten110n of Using terrorism and of 10iNg into the anti-unionlst areas ‘eliminating the leaders.
cmbers may drill openly in military uniformand carry out mass intimidation withno fear of hindrance fromthe police ora Yet what is the response to all this? Loyalist leaders like Pais— ley have actively worked with the UDA. The Coalition government gave thema financial grant for community work. The Fianna Fail Government has hada friendly meeting with themunder the guise of the NewUlster Political Research Group. And the British government have acquiesced in their bloody campaign andhave taken a firm decision nat to ban them.
This situation cannot continue. The H-Block campaign, 5of whose members have been mur— dered, must take alead in defence of their campaign. Committees in the North can take positive steps in their own areas anda national political defence could beestablished. TheFiannaFail government must be pressurised to demand action against the UDA. We must make it clear to the British government that not only wil! we not accept their attempt to debase the struggle of the Irish working classascriminal but we will not tolerate their legitimis— ing of an organisation whose reason for existence is the maintenance of sectarianismand the defeat of the Irish working class.
THOMAS L
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC PAGE 3
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tially against all who break the ~ law because their aimis merely to secure justice for all.