Anti-Imperialist line put to the test

Peoples Democracy has always siid that the Acid Test for Irish socialists is how they respond to the National Question. For us the first task for the working class is the unification of the country and the ending of British economic and political control. Replacing Britain with a Workers and Small Farmers government is the only guarantee — of real independence. This question is hotly debated on the left and there are a couple of other organisations on the left wha would agree with our general proposition, paths diverge. The attitudeool! the Communist Party of Irelanal, The oldest organisation of the Trish far left, towards the H Block/Armagh Campaipn is a gruphic example of our practical and strategic differences. This article contrasts the different roles played by PD and the CPI in relation to the prisiners.

First ao outline of the role played by PD. Forgas the importance of the struggle to win the demands of che pris oners was recognised righl from the start, When the British withurew Politicu] Status on March Ist 1976 #1 immediately launched a petitiun in the calholic phertocs in Belfast prestcating its remeval and calling for anti Ini perialist unity iia the face of British attacks, The Relatives Action Comm: itters were then formed ter defend the prisoners abd give them dermarus a basic hard core sopport on the cutside. PO was unique in its uoderstanding of the weod Forni: and in the aractiral movement faced wae the position of the Republican Mowemene who att. empled to make support for their military campalen a precondition far all opposition to Britwin.

From this initial step there have been many milestones on the read to the unity of the anti-lmperialist forces which PD either initiated or strongly supported. The most important ones were: the Coslisland Anti Repression Conferences ia late $977; the Bumtolle| Commemoration march in January 1979) Bernaderts MacAliskey’s Euro Election campaign in June 1979; finally culminating in the Green Briar Conferences in September 1979 where the National H Block/Anmagh Comm ittes was founded.

MASS ACTION We saw our role to be that of persuad: itp the Republican Movement, as the hrgest anti-lmperialist organisation, of the need for unity around apréed deniwuls, We did this by going directly to the Nationalist population and launehing successiul initiatives. The Republic an. condemnation of thes: initiatives wis plainly sen as sectarian by ever the Proves most ardent supporters, Vehen the Proves did change their line in September “79 the way was agen to launch a mass campaign. PE fully leva We areued for the need to chall- piricipated in this campuipn at every enge Pinna Fall and the SDLP, for demecricy within the campaign atid the irmpurtacnes ef workers aeLiuer. We were the first to propose the use of Lhe elestion tactic by challenging and defeating Paddy Devlin ane Crerey Fite in the Six Ceauity Local Gewerrmetit defeated the Republican Clubs whe Council, In the engucing &euthern Party anit pat 145000 votes compared to 252 for the CPT candidarce. CPI ROLE it came to puttiog forvard a strategy party's policy turoed oul to exist on paper only with no practical effect.

In 1979 the party even went to the cott of the Buro Elections. In thls was #81 up the CPT refused to join by should wot participate ino campaign lr defend Republican prisoners!

of the CPT. Incidentally Joba Aura ing the Committees, Chur view vraa and is that the the Committe should the Five Demands, The guestion of browlening the campaign should be aceo in that context. The CPP posit jon is pusswhaoting abstentionism. REFORMIST POSITIONS The basically reformist positions of the CEL is-at the base of ils refial to lost all representation on Belfast City General Election one of our two caotidates came cul on tes of the Labour The role of the CPLon the other hand, slowed it totally beret of ideas when fear winning back Politicol Stalus. The movement in P72.

None of the initiatives which Jed up to the setting up of the H lock Annagh Committee were supported by the CFT ultra-left extreme of calling fora boythey were at one with Sinn Fein. Yer when the A Black|Acmagh Committee slstineg “The Connmittes is dominated by the Povos”, The lopic of this sec tartan position is that the Republicans Whine prisoners are in Long Kesh any way? They are certainly nol mernbers gave the same ceasen for ot support be supported by all those who support te Partition).

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