AGM-32 COUNTY SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT-2008
Address to AGM by National Chairman Mr Francis Mackey
Friends, Comrades, Fellow Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
11 years ago Republicanism faced into the depths of the reality of Britain’s murky role in Ireland’s struggle for freedom, independence and justice.
The British Government were near completion in defeating republican leaders in moving them from challenging British Parliamentary Activity in Ireland to administering that activity with a promise that one day unionism might agree to ending British rule in Ireland.
The fatal flaw in that position for republicans is that it de facto conceded the legitimacy of the British presence whilst simultaneously criminalizing republican efforts to remove it.
What was also accepted by the Irish negotiators is that any Irish claim to sovereignty over the entire island was an illegal claim to part of Her Majesty’s territory and until such time that such a claim was removed ‘normal’ relations between London and Dublin could not be entered into.
The removing of Articles 2&3 were excused by claiming that they were meaningless empty gestures but the extent to which both the British and Unionists sought their removal suggests otherwise. Once removed it meant that the British Government determined the constitutional status of the Dublin government as it related to the island of Ireland.
11 years ago the true analysis was produced by the 32 CSC later to become the 32 CSM, whereby the issue of Irish National Sovereignty was the real issue and it was clear that the engagement between the Irish and British Government was only an exercise in harmonizing Partition with British Rule.
At no stage was the British position challenged.
Following our inaugural meeting in 1997 the 32 CSM lodged such a challenge at the United Nations in America and as a result of influence from the British we were banned from entering America to follow up our challenge.
Following on from this we attended the Human Rights Commission of the UN in Geneva and put forward Ireland’s case as a violation of the rights of the Irish people and a denial of our right to National self-determination.
Over those years we have had our successes and we have had our failings. We witnessed enthusiastic interest and we seen it wane.
There is no doubt however the last 10 years belongs to those wedded to the failure of Stormont. Of course they have the advantage of a compliant media to peddle their lies and have been financed from the British Government and with tax payer’s money to continue the lie.
That said we must recognize our own success, at a time when the republican base was so demoralized by what was happening, it has taken time to come to terms with it.
We continues to press ahead with our own organization and it is clear when we concentrated on setting up properly constituted structures our presence and activities grew in strength.
I would like at this point to pay tribute to everyone involved for their hard work and endurance in the face of adversity to survive and get our message out.
Such activity has produced success in areas were we are organized.
Following today’s historic meeting here in S/Armagh I urge everyone when you return to your own areas to hold your cuman AGM’s in line with the constitution.
Keep these structures going because I believe republicans can set the agenda for the next 10 years. When we have functioning structures we see our progress, success breeds success.
The Republican Forum for Unity which has just been launched is a result of our success in coming together with other republicans and cooperating on areas of agreement.
We have been to the forefront of this from since its inception and I am absolutely convinced it’s potential is already having an impact on our opponents. (Look at the Irish News last Monday).
3 weeks ago in Derry 400 hundred people attended the first public meeting of the forum and I was greatly impressed with the positive contributions coming from those in attendance.
The Forum is a tool for republicans to fashion a new way forward. We cannot leave it to the forum alone to direct republicanism because it can only go where we agree to take it. It’s not self sustaining but requires constant input from all its members and our efforts in producing this political input will contribute to its success.
The drafting of these ideas is the task of all of us in the Sovereignty Movement. I urge you all as equal members in this Movement to submit your ideas and debate them freely. Republican Unity begins at home.
We need our structures, we need you to be directly involved so that when activity is planned we can demonstrate our support for it and by showing that strength, we demonstrate to others our genuine intentions to promote and direct the forum with a good analysis, a good vision and a positive outcome.
We have submitted our document “Dismantling Partition”. It is a good document with vision and a strategy and I believe that document, in the absence of other proposals, could become the template of influence in developing the forum. And on areas of agreement we can all return a confidence to the republican base, confidence that republicanism is not defeated as our opponents would have us believe, confidence to support an analysis, support a strategy and support an action.
That is the task facing all of us, I have no doubt we can deliver it, we can make change and we can make a difference.
At this point I would like to pay tribute to the IRSP, RNU and non aligned republicans who have had the courage of their convictions in coming together with us to found the Republican Forum for Unity.
I would encourage other organizations who for whatever reasons have not seen the merits of republican unity to seriously consider their positions. Look at the potential such a forum has for coordinating republican activity, maximizing the benefits for everyone as opposed to a plethora of small marginalized factions all stating similar sentiments with no progress.
Such a scenario only suits our opponents and I have to question if there is not a hidden agenda preventing such unity and cooperation.
However, I have an open mind and I believe if people are serious about progressing the republican analysis with a challenge then republican unity is the best option for success.
Elitism can only take republicanism round in a circle and back to the 1998 position or it can keep republicanism stagnant, neither are options for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
2008 ACTIVITY
Our activists ensured that to the best of our abilities our core message was on the streets of the 32 Counties throughout the year.
We targeted censorship in a protest outside the offices of the Irish News in Belfast.
Our anti drugs stance saw the uncovering of illegal drugs in Tyrone.
Our activists in Cork ensured that attempts to normalize partition by extending visits to Ian Paisley and John Major did not go unanswered.
In building the Republican Unity Initiative the 32CSM took part in a National Easter Commemoration alongside other republican and socialist comrades.
On an international level our activists engaged in activities in Sweden, we attended an audience with the Cuban Ambassador and we marched in support of Palestinian solidarity. We were also imprisoned for protesting against the International Arms Trade.
Our comrades in Derry have been to the fore in organizing protests against internment and in support of those interned. They have taken up the mantle of social involvement by a series of initiatives aimed at anti social activity. Their efforts are an example to republicans everywhere.
The 32CSM also mounted an impressive campaign against the Lisbon Treaty. Our campaign was evident throughout the state and it opposed that treaty on the issue of sovereignty and partition. And needless to say our efforts will no doubt be required again as Dublin seeks to re run the referendum solely on the basis that they lost the first. We are ready for that also.
Our activists in Dublin have been highly active in the fight against College Fees and are well prepared to continue that campaign into the new year.
In Belfast our activists have ensured that the PSNI will never be an acceptable police force in Ireland. They have continually picketed DPP meetings which like the visits of Paisley and Major are designed to normalize the status quo.
These are but a sample of our activities throughout the year and I commend all our activists for the political diligence. Obviously some areas are weaker than others but such campaigning as we have witnessed only serves to demonstrate what can be achieved if aspired to. I am confident that 2009 will see such aspirations translated into reality.
PUBLICITY
Turning now to publicity, despite our efforts to get statements and our analysis published, the compliant establishment media are content to ignore us except when they want to portray negative propaganda to bolster the flaw in the arguments of our opponents.
Therefore our paper “The Sovereign Nation” is the best vehicle to get our message out in local areas.
On a wider level our website fulfills this function and I would pay tribute to our publicity people and webmaster for their tireless commitment in having our site managed and up to date. Equally our PRO in preparing our paper and getting it out. There have been problems with this and I think we must all look at our own efforts to assist the editor with articles etc.
Also I believe the incoming National Executive will have to address the distribution and returns on our paper.
As we develop our paper should stand alone and it should finance itself.
Another invaluable source of publicity has been the launching of local 32CSM Newssheets, the Beir Buas, which serve as a direct conduit between our local organization and the people of their area. To date the following areas have produced Beir Buas to a reasonable standard of consistency: Derry, Dublin, Cork, Monaghan, Galway and Kerry. Our aims should be twofold, increase the consistency of existing newssheets and launch new publications in other areas. There is help and printing assistance available in our PRO department and I urge all areas who feel up to the task of launching a Beir Bua to make contact and avail of this help.
FINANCE
On the issue of finance, our finance officer does need assistance to meet the increasing demands and like I said earlier if our structures are in place and functioning with someone responsible for finance in each area then our specific needs can be addressed locally by each cumann.
The Nat EX members are basically contributing to costs out of our own pockets. When we hold a meeting those attending contribute to the cost of the room every month. Reality must be a factor otherwise we will burn ourselves out. Your assistance is vital in this.
IRPWA/POW’s
Likewise the POW situation and I know it is the same people a lot of the time who are involved in raising money for the IRPWA every month. This must become more regularized, it must be focused and no money should be paid out except through the appointed persons.
Val Lynch has done an excellent job with finance but he does need more assistance and more regular contributions coming in.
At this juncture I would extend our solidarity to the POW’s at home and abroad and wish their speedy release.
Both governments and the establishment parties are involved in intensifying the criminalization of people involved in political activity.
Political activity, which does not suit the establishment, political activity which upholds and protects the sovereignty of the Irish Nation.
Such activity is criminalized and demonized, this can be overcome by us all working together, intensifying our activity with well planned and organized events.
We will never allow our comrades or our struggle to be criminalized
The Derry 4 are a typical example of such criminalization. They are interned. Our campaign will not stop until they are free.
The conditions in Lithuania under which Michael Campbell is held is another example of the deplorable conditions he is forced to endure and how Irish political prisoners are treated. He is in a cell with others who do not speak English. The court system has banned his family and friends from attending. He is now held for 9 months without a charge. It is evident he is held hostage.
The campaign for his freedom has to be more visual and vocal. Well planned events with leaflet drops starting in his home area, spreading across the country culminating in a mass demonstration will keep the pressure on the authorities to have this man released and returned to his family.
We extend our heartfelt greetings to him and his family at this time.
BRITISH POLICING IN IRELAND
On the issue of British policing in Ireland, Hugh Orde has been forced to admit the PSNI are not acceptable to everyone. Indeed I would say they are not acceptable to any republican. He has directly involved himself in the politics of Stormont and is using it’s failure as an excuse for poor policing.
The PSNI could never be acceptable policing as it is the armed wing of British rule in Ireland.
This was also conceded recently when Martin Mc Guinness and Brian Feeney attempted to say republicans wanted the British army back on the streets.
This begs the question did the British government need Mc Guinness and the rest of them to send a clear message to the Irish people when they agreed for the British army of occupation to march through the streets of Belfast?
This was the British government reasserting their position towards Ireland, showing off their army in defense of their illegal sovereign claim.
This was a clear portrayal by the British government to attempt to legalize their claim to part of our country backed up with their army of occupation and with it the implicit threat of violence against the people of this nation.
The British army will never be acceptable in Ireland and likewise the PSNI could never be an acceptable police service.
That said republicans recognize the need for a proper police service but this was lost when the Irish negotiators accepted the RUC with a name change.
Never before has republican activity been more closely monitored with surveillance from the Brits and now the poacher turned gamekeeper is involved. The latter has called on the nationalist community to report republican activity to the PSNI as a cover for their agency work for the Brits. SHAME
Finally may I say a sincere thank you to the outgoing National Executive for not alone the support they have given me over the past year but for their ongoing selfless steady commitment to making this movement work.
That commitment has shown small but sure steps forward and I believe with that same steady progress in the year ahead significant benefits will be accrued for the republican base and the Irish people.
It can only come to fruition with every ones involvement.
Let us rededicate ourselves to ensure our progress with the commitment and dedication needed to put our structures in place, to set up a recruitment drive so that we can meet the demands being placed upon us.
I know we can achieve it with the work and determination I have witnessed in the past year, let us not sit back now but push ahead, the next decade we can set the agenda. Let us make it ours.
Go Raibh Maith Agat.