IT SEEMS TO ME that cdes Gibbons and Hughes say either too much or too little in their critique of the coverage of Ireland by Socialist Outlook (no.57).
Their criticism of MacUaid/Coen articles is in fact the assertion of an alternative line which the comrades are too shy to spell out.
That line is that we support the republican leadership: support a line of unity with Irish capitalism; support a false choice between a strategy of military adventures or political capitulation:
It means also supporting a line that goes beyond denouncNo information: Gerry Adams ing the present British hypocrisy in relation to talks with Sinn Fein to demanding negotiations in a situation where these will either go nowhere or involve Sinn Fein in renouncing the core of its programme.
And it means supporting "clarification' of a Downing Street declaration that could not be clearer in its restatement of a Unionist veto and in drawing a dagger to the right of the Irish people to self determination.
The comrades call for Sinn Fein to be given space in the pages of Socialist Outlook. I'm sure that Socialist Outlook would welcome the opportunity to debate with Sinn Fein.
As someone who has fought alongside republican militants in many campaigns over the past 25 years I would welcome that opportunity in Ireland also.
Unfortunately I am reduced to attending Sinn Fein 'conventions' that are the antithesis of debate, given that no discussion is allowed and that the central plank of their present policy -the Hume/Adams agreement -remains a secret even from Sinn Fein members.
The democratic deficit in the present round of secret diplomacy is in itself damaging the struggle against imperialism and is grounds enough to repudiate the present policy of the republican leadership.
John North Belfast for ecological alternatives, the new world order and imperialism will also be highlighted.
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