South!

The Tories of Wesiminater, Stormont and Lenster Howse are moving tapidly towards a “political solution” to the Six Co. crisis, But before auch a compromise can be agreed upon the [RA must be detached from its popular support ond defeated, As its contribution the Fitona Fail Government i: petting teady to clamp down on the Republican Movement in the South.

The P,P. Ard Peis pot the matter beyond all question. The threat to return certain people for trial, to place restriction on bail, and to use military courts and internment as “‘a last resort” Je the first stage in this attack. Ones the soa] of public opinion has been softened the government will dig in.

Already, almost without notice, the use of the Offences Against the State Act is being increasingly used, Early in January Grardui raided the Sinn Fein Offices in Gardner Place. Six Provisionals were arrested under Section 21 and more recently we are witnessing a eystematic countrywide campaign of arrest and harrassment of members of the Official Republican Movement, COLLABORATION it is budicrous for the government to claim that this last action was carried. out in view of the Aldershot explosion. In the light of TuInY récent speeches and statements such a move was to be expected. All that was required was a pretext, and like the hypocrites that they are, they seized on Aldershot. Mo, it-was nota revulsion at Aldershot but part of the Tory-FF plan which dictated this action.

NORTH AND SOUTH This brings home, once mare the vital ased to link the struggle North and South, The illuston still exists in some places, especiuliy among the Provisionals, thal as long as the Free State Goremment is not bothered it will return the favour, This ia an attitude on the one hand which refuses to draw any leasons from history, lt forgeta about the behaviour of the Fianna Fail regime during the 1956-62 campaign, during the Forties and the Thirties. On the other hand, it fails to understand what makes the. Free State move , ic. the money strings manipulated at Weatednster by Ted Heath. Fianna Fail and the social forces which hack it aré so dependent on British capital that they hove become the agents of Britieh polley in freland. Conaequently, any fight ugainst Brtish imperialism must automatically become 8 fight not only against the Unionists but also againat Fianna Fail, SOLIDARITY Al the moment the Unienists and Fianna Fail have already joined forces in a joint campaign of repression. Sacialicts and Republicans are now obliged to weite and fight back. The atruggle mast be extended inta the South: a campaign toexpose the Fiano Pail quislings is a precondition for siding the people in the North aod defeating British Lovperialiam.