Argentine Lawmakers Mass Brawl Televised

Argentine Provincial Presidential Election Meeting Descends into Mass Brawl

A meeting of Argentine lawmakers to elect a new president in a northern province (Chaco) descended into a mass brawl. At least 10 legislators were injured following the chaotic scenes of pushing, punching and chair throwing which was recorded for local television.

The violence erupted when governing party officials attempted to stop opposition members from entering a session after electing the new president of the northern province of Chaco (approx 600 miles of the capital Buenos Aires)

José Mujica Wins Uruguayan Presidential Election

Uruguay Elects Broad Front (Frente Amplio) Candidate as President

José Alberto Mujica, (Pepe), is the newly elected President of Uruguay, and for many Uruguayan’s his selection is just reward for Mujicas' 50 dedicated and arduous years at the coal-face of his country’s struggle for socialist reform. 

The charismatic Mr Mujica (74), (a former Tupamaros guerrilla) will succeed the current President and fellow Broad Front (FA, Frente Amplio) coalition party member, Tabaré Vázquez, in March 2010, The smooth transition of power was assured by the selection of former Economy Minister Danilo Astori as the vice presidential candidate. In a tightly fought runoff election, with captivated the Uruguayan nation, Mujica returned 53 percent of the electorate compared to 43 percent for former President, Luis Alberto Lacalle, of the National Party.

His sweep to victory was aided by the success story of the current President Tabaré Vázquez, who has a current approval rating among the electorate stands at 70%. His government has been internationally accredited with navigating Uruguay’s economy through the unchartered waters of the ongoing economic global crisis. Since taking office in 2005, President Vásquez has overseen the country’s unemployment rate be significantly reduced from 12.3% to 7.3%, whilst the country’s Central Bank reserves have quadrupled as a direct result of a 7% annual growth rate during the corresponding period. Consequently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that Uruguay will be one of the few Latin American countries to experience GDP growth this year. However, Vazquez also pursued a progressive income tax policy in tandem with the economic growth policies to fund social programs that have significantly reduced Uruguayan poverty. The country itself is dubbed the ‘Switzerland’ of Latin America due to the social benefits afforded to its inhabitants.

Uruguay’s economic structure is under pinned by a strong agriculture which has been buoyed in recent years by strong beef exports. Mujica was appointed as Uruguay’s Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries in 2005 (until 2008) and during this time he successfully intervened to keep down the price of beef, a staple of the Uruguayan diet, in order to make it easily affordable to those on low incomes. This intervention became widely known throughout Uruguay as “Pepe’s barbeque”. The government did not however become over dependent on its strong agricultural base but embarked on enticing huge amounts of foreign investment into its expansion with the result that it remains one of the key fulcrums to Uruguayan economy.

At the age of 74, José Mujica, adopted a ‘No Frills’ approach as he went on his election trail for the Presidential race. Whilst conducting his Presidential Campaign he utilised local transport networks with nothing more than a ruck sack on his back. This ‘man of the people’ no nonsense style helped him capture the imagination of the young and the workers alike. The selection of Danilo Astori as his running mate allayed the fears of the middle classes that a radical leftward swing in economic policy (Hugo Chavez style) would follow his appointment. Rather, he promised the electorate that he would try and emulate Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Latin America's leading moderate leftist. Also, his decision to lower the beef price as Agricultural Minister, to make it more economically accessible, reflected his pragmatic approach to policy judgement. He promised his supporters;

“I'm not the apocalypse nor the promised land,...............This is an election, not a war. Whatever happens, the country will continue moving ahead."

The very fact that this former guerrilla fighter has become democratically chosen by Uruguay’s electorate is testament to the courage and determination of José Mujica to persevere on the revolutionary path and socialist vision that he had for his country almost 50 years ago!!

In his address to the thousands of loyal supporters he said;

"We have won because of your government and we will continue it.''

RTE's Pat Kenny Frontline Audience Attack

Pat Kenny Faces A Frontline Attack!

For Pat Kenny, host of the RTE's current affairs programme, 'The Frontline', the latest televised episode definitely lived up to it's name!! Pat found himself at the receiving end of a barrage of personal attacks from a rather irate member of the audience.


The central theme running through the 3 minute lambasting focused on Kenny's massive wages he receives as one of RTE's best paid presenters. 

Enjoy............

Dissident Tyrone Sheep Demand Irish Unity

Sectarian Sheep Painting Northern Ireland

BREAKING N-EWES:  

'Norn Iron' Sectarian Ewe Turn!

A remote field in Arboe, Co. Tyrone has been the scene of a SHEAR DYE-abolical sectarian attack on innocent sheep as they passively grazed in the Irish Republican heartland.  During the night 6 sheep were unsuspectingly spray painted with the Irish tricolour by presumably DYED IN THE WOOL Traditional Irish Republicans!  Undoubtedly, the RAM-ifications of such a SHEEPISH act will lead to a thorough investigation by the PSNI who will be careful to avoid having the WOOL pulled over their eyes on this 'THORNY' issue.!!

Whilst we may find the funny side, the farmer and the local DUP councillor were less than am-EWE-sed as they painted a grim picture!!!  Willie Frazer was eager to HOGG the limelight and re-iterate the plight of the rural border community for which he tirelessly campaigns.  He even found the time to produce a EWE Tube broadcast which included CLIPPINGS of the whole LAMB-entable episode!! 

Not to GLOSS over such an incident but due consideration must be given to the lack of scope for young rural Traditional Irish Republicans to develop their artistic talent.  This is in strong contrast to their urban comrades who have endless scope to perfect their wall mural painting skills.   Indeed, we must appreciate the high degree of stencil like accuracy required to skillfully paint the Irish tricolour on such jittery subjects!!  Very rarely do we witness such fine examples of the spray painting of moving targets which no doubt even the world renowned Banksy would be envious off!!

Furthermore, given the high media profile that this episode has already received, it would not be inconceivable that the proud owner of these NOW Traditional Irish Republican (Fenian) sheep should seriously consider entering them as an exhibit for the Turner Prize 2010.  The massive media attention would surely have the crowds FLOCKING to the Tate Britain in London next year!.  The potential £25,000 prize money would definitely off set any loss of earnings incurred by showing such fine specimens of Traditional Irish Republican (Fenian) sheep in potentially hostile 'Norn Iron' livestock markets!  The proud owner should be aiming to emulate Damien Hirst who was the victor in 1995 with a pickled sheep in formaldehyde.  Such an opportunity should not be missed especially since the markings will have to be retained on the sheep until next May well after the closing date for next year's competition!!

Tiocfaidh ár Baahhhh....
  

Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams Martin McGuinness, Irish Republicanism

Adams And McGuinness Asked to Resign

This a guest post from an Irish American blogger http://irishblog-irishblog.blogspot.com/ on Irish Republicanism as represented by the current Sinn Fein leadership in Northern Ireland.

A Chairde,

Many republicans, myself included, subscribed to the view of achieving a 32 county republic first and then developing a Socialist Republic later. It seemed at the time that we had not the luxury of time for a proper debate on socialism and it would create further possible divisions. With the benefit of hindsight this would now be recognized by most as a serious mistake, hindering the development of a truly accountable liberation leadership in the learning curve of struggle.

The primary part of British strategy always in Ireland and elsewhere has been, divide and conquer. Wheteher we like it or not, we must admit they have been extremely successful at it. We must try and unite as far as possible, still keeping basic principles of Republicanism and Socialism, because as we have witnessed over and over, united we stand, divided we fall.

One of the basic tenets of republicanism is equality, which is simply not possible under any form of monarchy, a system based on inherited privilege, hence McGuinness as an acting minister of the British monarchy in Ireland, is irrelevant to the future progressive development of Ireland. He is however along with most of his colleagues, another reminder, of the absence in developing a truly revolutionary political leadership with revolutionary policies in the course of a struggle. Both are equally important to the struggle itself, for two principal reasons. Developing proper leadership and policies for the success of any revolution in the interests of its ordinary citizens and working people.



Ruairi O'Bradaigh during the course of the struggle used to talk of a particularly Irish form of socialism, which the left in general never gave serious consideration and which hindered the development of truly revolutionary leadership colleagues, who were busy with the day to day immediacy of a guerrilla war with Britain, forgetting the true interests of ordinary people in Ireland during the course of struggle. Adams and McGuinnese now speak of a vague form of pink socialism which is frankly an embarrassment, to more than 30 years of struggle. It has not been properly developed and it is simply for populist purposes, in the pseudo politic of a corporate media driven illusion of democracy and the consumerism of immediate individual greed.

There are several indications however in the 21st century, that O'Bradaigh's Irish form of socialism may have been after all a correct analysis. After the recent collapse of the international money markets, it has become much clearer to more people that the pyramid of capitalism, as Marx explained, does have a point of in-built collapse. It is important that Irish Republicans recognize that it is not a question of choice but the inevitable progression of the greed of globalization. Like the many lessons of another failed republican leadership in our struggles of the past, it is important that the historical lessons of socialism elsewhere are honed and developed, so that we have a truly revolutionary leadership in place, at critical points in our history, to protect the interests of ordinary working people, to prevent further exploitation by colonialism, neo-colonialism or international banking in Ireland.

It is important that we recognize this as part of our development, that none of us has a monopoly on the solution, indeed that we in Ireland need to unite with other international movements of liberation. We must surrender our ego's in debate in a united search for solutions and in a spirit of comradely learning what are truly progressive solutions. We do not have the luxury of personal attacks or years of bickering and division, as a distraction from the goals of removing both colonialism and corporate fascism from Ireland. There is a balance between principled policies and sticking together to defeat our enemies. It is imperative for our success.

When McGuinness publicly referred to other long standing principled republicans and socialists as traitors, it was confirmation of his lack of leadership qualities at this critical times. We simply cannot afford the luxury of such wild public inflammatory statements from any quarter.

He should retire immediately before he does anymore damage to Ireland and its people. Adams publicly stated wishy/washy pink socialism for the promotion of career politicos, is a disaster for Ireland at this critical time. Again I would ask them both to retire immediately for the greater good, so that we can all try to wish them well without creating any further ill feeling or division.

I believe that the majority of those actually engaged in the struggle itself, as opposed to some recent political recruits for careerist purposes, at expense of the ordinary Irish people, would support my statement. I say this with the utmost respect for all principled republicans and socialists from whatever quarter, in the interests of a genuine united liberation movement of the people, for the people.

I present the following link as a basis for discussion on the way forward in Ireland.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article23708.htm

Beir Bua

Brian O'Cleirigh

Irish Republicanism, Sinn Fein And Eirigi

Libyan Lockerbie Bomber Welcomed as Hero

al-Megrahi Receives Hero's Welcome in Libya  

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, (57) has returned home to his native Libya to a hero’s welcome after being released from a Scottish prison on ‘compassionate grounds’ for his role in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988. He was sentenced in 2001 for the murder of 270 people including 243 passengers (189 Americans), 16 crew members and 11 Lockerbie residents. 

Defending his early release from HMP Greenock Prison the Scottish justice minister, Kenny MacAskill, explained to reporters that; “He is a dying man, he is terminally ill,...........My decision is that he returns home to die.” The decision to release Megrahi was strenuously opposed by American officials including Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama who described it as a ‘mistake’. 

As the terminally ill former Libyan Intelligence Services Officer, disembarked from the private Afriqiyah Airways jet at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport, he was accompanied by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, Seif al-Islam el- Gadhafi, and was greeted by several hundred Libyans holding banners inscribed with Libya’s National Youth Association emblems whilst some were also waving Scottish flags. This has incensed relatives of the victims and American governmental officials, who were under the impression that his return would not “go back to a hero’s welcome”. In a direct response, Barack Obama, has called upon the Libyan government to place al-Megrahi under immediate house arrest.

The consternation regarding the release by US victims is in contrast to those of the Lockerbie families who were not entirely convinced of his involvement. An appeal into his sentence had been lodged into his conviction but was withdrawn by his legal representatives in anticipation of his release. Whilst for this may draw a line to the 8 year saga it will leave many dismayed as they are left no closer to the truth.

Blair’s Infamous ‘Deal in the Desert’

Many believe that the seeds of his release were sown at a historic meeting 2 years ago between Tony Blair and Colonel Gaddafi in what has been dubbed as ‘The Deal in the Desert’. 
 
Former British PM, Tony Blair, has been thrust into the Megrahi release controversy amidst allegations that Megrahi’s release was part of a ‘blood money’ deal involving BP being permitted to tap into Libya’s massive oil reserves. Directly after the infamous meeting BP’s chairman announced a €900 million (£545 million) oil exploration contract. If Libya’s potential oil reserves are fully realised the deal could eventually be worth £13 Billion. This oil deal paved the way for Royal Dutch Shell to approach the Libyan government for a share of the oil assets. In addition BAE Systems are also thought to have been very keen to offer their expertise in helping tore-equip Libya’s aging armed forces following years of heavy sanctions.

Significantly, the ‘Deal in the Desert’ sowed the seeds for the gradual re-introduction of Libya in from the international cold following years of tough sanctions and alienation. This was sanctioned on the premise that Colonel Gadhafi halted his nuclear ambitions in exchange.

Gadhafi under his control was linked to a litany of terrorist outrages throughout the world since taking control of Libya under a military coup 40 years ago. The highest profile of these has been;

• Funding of the Palestinian Black September group involved in the 1972 Munich Olympic Massacre
• Sponsorship of ‘liberation’ groups in Liberia and Sierra Leone
• The 1985 murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in London
• The bombing in 1986 of a West Berlin disco filled with American service personnel
• The Libyan financed arms shipment to the IRA in 1987
• The killing of 170 passengers on board a flight from Chad to Paris in 1989

It was backing for the Bush-Blair ‘War on Terror’ on Al Qaeda that provided the opportunity for the thawing of relations between Libya and the West. In 2004 Tony Blair announced that long standing sanctions imposed on Gadhafi’s regime would be lifted.

SNP Left in a Pickle!

The controversy regarding the Megrahi’s release cannot be left at the door of Scotland’s devolved government mainly because the decision to release him had been agreed in principle prior to Scottish devolution. As part of ‘The Deal in the Desert’ Blair and Gadhafi had thrashed out The Prisoner Transfer Agreement (PTA) which permitted the transfer of a prisoner to serve the remainder of his sentence in their native country.

The official release of the above mentioned arrangement between Britain and Libya was timed to coincide with handover of Scottish devolution to Alex Salmond’s SNP and resulted in the first serious rift between the two. In a letter expressing his concern over the Prisoner Transfer Agreement, Salmond is reported to have described Tony Blair’s actions as “unacceptable”!

The diplomatic rift between them was quelled when Blair’s government re-assured the SNP that the PTA did not extend to Megrahi and that Scottish ministers would have a veto over any decision.

In 2007 the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission decided to send the case back to court because of the potential grounds for miscarriage of justice regarding his original trial. Following subsequent hearings at the High Court in Edinburgh a bail request was lodged for al-Megrahi on health grounds (prostate cancer) which was which was declined because of the ‘gravity’ of his crimes.

As his condition considerably worsened his defence lawyers asked for his appeal to be brought forward and in April of this the first the appeal hearings began in Edinburgh. At the same time Westminster were following an alternative course of action regarding the ratification of the PTA which was completed on April 29th. Within a week the Libyan government had submitted a request for the repatriation of Megrahi which automatically placed the Scottish executive in a diplomatic quandary.

The spotlight was to be directly on Scotland Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, who had sole responsibility of passing judgement on the request. He then embarked on a consultation exercise with all ‘relevant parties’ in order to come to a unanimous decision. However, he faced a major problem regarding directly opposite sentiments held by American and British relatives with the latter in favour of al-Megrahi’s release.
Faced with these diametrically opposed opinions Mr MacAskill’s ‘Catch 22’ situation was further exacerbated by a further release application on July 24 by al-Megrahi, this time based upon ‘compassionate’ grounds.

Following this request he then took the unprecedented step of visiting the Libyan in prison defending his decision by stating that under the terms of the PTA the defendant had the right to proper representation. However, this provoked stern criticism and widespread debate as opponents argued that his legal representation would have sufficed.

Shortly after the unheralded meeting al-Megrahi’s legal team withdrew their appeal request which has resulted in sneaking suspicions that a deal had been struck between both parties during their face-to-face meeting in HMP Greenock. However, this claim has been vehemently denied by the Scottish Justice Secretary.
This domestic row developed into a full scale international one after the BBC reported that Megrahi was set to be returned to Libya. Mr. MacAskill headache was to quickly turn into a full blown migraine as the US Secretary of State expressed her distaste at the alleged proposals and their potential adverse effects upon the relatives of the US victims.

The only course of action left for Mr. MacAskill was to release al-Megrahi on ‘compassionate’ grounds and incur the wrath of the Obama administration.

MacAskill Defends Decision as a Moral Action

The diplomatic fall-out from this affair will most definitely reverberate for weeks and months to come. The Obama administration has automatically requested that Libya place al-Megrahi under immediate house arrest and the scenes of him returning to a hero’s welcome will not have eased diplomatic tensions.
Barack Obama has described the Scottish government’s actions a ‘mistake’ in a press interview following the Libyans arrival in Tripoli.

MacAskill has resorted to defending the moral high ground of his ‘compassionate’ judgement by saying;

"In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic,........................The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live. Mr al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. [But] compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs we seek to live by, remaining true to our values as a people, no matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated.”

SDLP Claim Sinn Fein ‘Hijacked’ Hunger Strike Commemoration

SDLP Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell Lambasts Sinn Fein use of GAA Ground

Controversy surrounding the recent Hunger Strike Commemoration in the Irish Republican heartland of Galbally, County Tyrone has been cranked up another few notches this week by both SDLP and DUP members. The latter condemnation has been a further instalment from Northern Ireland Culture Minister Nelson McCausland calling for the GAA to hold an internal investigation into the proceedings. This has followed his outspoken views earlier in the week when he describe the ’81 Hunger Strike as an offensive episode!

The SDLP Deputy Leader, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, has lambasted the Sinn Fein leadership by accusing them of “hijacking” the commemoration for their own political expediency. Following a meeting with several leading GAA officials Dr McDonnell endorsed McCausland’s argument that the Cappagh Commemoration for the '81 Hunger Strikers that was lead by Bobby Sands, was in direct contravention with Rule 7a of the GAA’s Official Rule Book. He claims that the;

“Provos had hijacked a GAA premises to cynically deflect attention from Sinn Féin’s internal problems”.

Without mincing his words he decided to go straight for Sinn Fein’s jugular by accusing them of using the event as a diversionary tactic to deflect Irish Republican scrutiny regarding allegations that elements with the Sinn Fein leadership in ‘81 were guilty of “allowing a number of the hunger strikers to die” to advance their own political goals.

Of course this is a direct reference to claims made most notably in Richard O’Rawe’s controversial book, ‘Blanket Men’. Dr. McDonald’s comments will definitely re-ignite the embers of this moral debate which had recently subsided.

But as with every controversy within the Northern Ireland political arena the issues on the table are rarely black and white. Irrespective of whether or not the SDLP Deputy’s Leader’s comments are right or wrong they smack of political opportunism and have a whiff of jumping on the band-wagon of disgruntlement currently coursing through the veins of the Sinn Fein rank and file and the wider Irish Republican community. As regards the Sinn Fein leadership permitted five of their Irish Republican comrades to die in order to perpetuate their own political aspirations, remains highly contentious.

Unravelling the Truth Behind the ’81 Hunger Strike

No other event engulfed modern day Irish Republican sentiment towards Irish Unity, and the whole episode represented an unprecedented nadir in Anglo-Irish relations. The aftermath of the 1981 Hunger Strike, provoked a shock wave of revulsion and anger vented at the intransigence of the British establishment. In essence, it provided the fulcrum for the enigmatic rise of the modern Sinn Fein movement, and culminated in the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and our perceived peace as we know it today.

For over 25 years the 1981 Hunger Strike was afforded celestial status and any attempt to question the Sinn Fein strategy or motives was perceived as blasphemous! However, in 2005, one Irish Republican prisoner, Richard O’Rawe, dared to pose the question if the last five hunger strikers sacrificed their lives purely for Sinn Fein political expediency? Indeed his absolute assertions were viewed as a direct assault on the foundations of the legitimacy of the current Sinn Fein movement’s strategy.

The explosive revelations were made in his book, Blanketmen: an untold story of the H-Block Hunger Strike (2005), still threatens deep divisions within Irish Republicanism over the legacy of the ’81 Hunger Strikers. Allegations made by O’Rawe continue to shake the very fundamental foundations of modern Irish Republican Ideology, and in doing so, casts a question mark over Sinn Fein’s alleged political manipulation of the Hunger Strike.

Richard O Rawe was the number two IRA leader and Public Relations Officer in the Maze prison during the 1981 Hunger Strikes, and hence was in a highly authorative position.

The current intrigue and wrangling over the issue focuses upon one crucial bone of contention. It is the absolute assertion made by Richard O'Rawe that the 1981 Hunger Strike was resolvable prior to the fifth hunger striker Joe Mc Donnell's death. According to Mr O’Rawe a proposed ‘deal’ or an ‘offer’ from the Foreign Office was made to the Hunger Strikers on July 5th 1981. It essentially conceded three of the Hunger Striker’s five demands and effectively conceded a fourth.

He claims that, Brendan ’Bik’ McFarlane, pushed a document containing these proposals along a pipe to his cell, who had received them from Danny Morrison. A discussion then ensued between them on the intricacies of the proposals and according to Richard O’Rawe they reached a unanimous agreement that the Hunger Strikers would accept the conditions.

However, events were to take an unexpected and tragic turn. Upon informing their command of the unanimous decision that the deal on offer was acceptable, the IRA Army Council – then advised and guided by Gerry Adams – proceeded to reject the settlement on the grounds that the ‘tone’ was unacceptable.
O'Rawe claims that it was rejected in order to prolong the strike until after the by-election in Fermanagh-South Tyrone, thereby securing the election of Owen Carron. Effectively, given this scenario the Hunger Strike was prolonged to catapult Sinn Féin into the North’s political spectrum.

Initially, the Sinn Fein leadership vehemently denounced O'Rawe's version of events in a blaze of nasty innuendoes and smears, and he was systematically portrayed by the SF leadership as a lone maverick. However, as time passed the accusations failed to dissipate but rather gathered momentum and hence credibility until this day. Sinn Fein’s attempts to rubbish his claims ended up in a semantic cul de sac.
One blatantly obvious and indisputable fact is that the events in the Maze prison in ’81 did pluck Sinn Fein from political obscurity and propel them to their lofty position of power-sharing in Stormont under Sunningdale Mark II today. The ultimate sacrifices of these iconic 10 Irish Republican martyrs not only gave SF political legitimacy in the North but more importantly handed them the puissance to dictate to Irish Republicans their future political strategy for Irish Unity.


Understanding the 1981 Hunger Strike Conundrum?

This whole ’81 Hunger Strike conundrum serves only to rake up a host of awkward and potentially catastrophic ifs and buts which will only fester in the minds of many Irish Republicans if not unequivocally resolved by the Sinn Fein leadership. Every Republican’s reasoning behind the Sinn Fein leadership decision making during the negotiations will directly correlate with their individual scepticism regarding their motives. Subsequently, an individual’s level of scepticism will only be dissuaded by the strength of the argument put forth to refute these allegations.

Furthermore, to gain a proper understanding of this murky issue, any observer must try and envisage;
The remarkable conviction shown by 10 Irish Republican Prisoners who gave the ultimate sacrifice to the cause of Irish Freedom;

• The phenomenal stresses endured by the Sinn Fein/IRA leadership, Irish Republicans on the ground and most importantly the hunger strikers and their families
• The roller coaster of emotions that would have undoubtedly manifested itself during British government negotiations
• The unique negotiating decisiveness required to distinguish whether any deal offered by the British government would be honoured, given previous failures

These are just some of the extenuating factors that anyone hoping to fathom this whole debacle must try and comprehend before making an impartial judgement.


Northern Ireland Political Point Scoring

Whether Dr. McDonald sweeping accusation has any real substance may have unwittingly placed him in a similar predicament to that of Gerry Adams in this sorry affair. If indeed the SDLP Deputy Leader’s accusation that the death of 5 Irish Republican Prisoners was in fact to further Sinn Fein political expediency then he will have surely dealt a severe blow to SF’s credibility.

Conversely if the unfurling of future events prove that his accusation is unfounded then his comments may be seen as a mere pathetic and cheap shot at political opportunism whilst using the self-sacrifice of 10 Irish Republican’s to gain the moral high ground.

Gerry Adams faces an even worse dilemma because of his pivotal role during negotiations and his current position as Sinn Fein President. Had the political catalyst of the ’81 Hunger Strike and his party’s subsequent political strategy proved dividends á propos Irish Unity would these initial allegations have been publicly aired? Undoubtedly, if we were now in a 32 County scenario then the political fallout may have been minimal and privately construed as a calculated political gamble worth taking (whilst regrettable). Paradoxically, if this calculated risk was to fail then the decision would be deemed as a nothing but a callous and self-perpetuating act of political opportunism. However, the sad and undeniable fact is that a 32 County scenario does not exist and is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

Essentially, this whole issue may place SF in a further ‘Catch 22’ situation. Sinn Fein issued a defiant response essentially challenging Dr. McDonnell to “produce a shred of evidence to back up his bogus claims about the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths as none exists”. Whilst, this statement clearly refutes his allegations and describes them as unfounded, the reality for the Sinn Fein leadership is that until they provide irrefutable evidence to the contrary then the debate will continue.

Nobody can deny that the ultimate sacrifice by 10 Irish Republican martyrs still has the power to shape both the North’s political landscape and Irish Republican sentiment, and will continue to do so for future generations!

National Hunger Strike Commemoration 2009

Was the selection of Cappagh a Cynical Sinn Fein Ploy?

'Provos had hijacked a GAA premises to cynically deflect attention from Sinn Féin’s internal problems'

~SDLP Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell~

The selection of Cappagh as host to this year’s National Hunger Strike Commemoration including the ’81 Hunger Strike led by Bobby Sands, is as strategic as it is poignantly symbolic. Strategic in that it can be envisaged as a concerted attempt by Sinn Fein to re-consolidate their grass root Irish Republican support, in an area not averse to vocally showing their disaffection with the party’s recent political decision making on the island of Ireland.

Last year the Sunday World newspaper claimed that members of Sinn Fein were asked to stay away from 1916 Easter Rising commemorations to be held in Galbally and Edendork. According to the newspaper, local people were incensed by an alleged Sinn Fein attempt to dictate the content of graveside orations normally controlled by the independent National Graveside Association (NGA est. 1867). The Sunday World reported that the row was initially sparked by a Sinn Fein representative allegedly demanding that a pre-written statement signed by P. O’Neill be read at the 1916 Easter commemorations in East Tyrone held this year. This incensed NGA members in attendance as they construed the SF demand as a deliberate attempt to undermine the self governing ethos of their organisation.

Furthermore, in an unrelated incident in East Tyrone prior to this row, it had been reported in media circles that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were both asked to leave a prearranged public meeting in Cappagh.

Given these recent heightened tensions in the area regarding the recent political strategy adopted by the Sinn Fein leadership, the fact that Cappagh was chosen may reflect that some of these issues have been internally resolved or is a veiled attempt to do so. Also, it is very doubtful that Sinn Fein would use the hosting of such an event as a cynical and shallow diversionary tactic to simply appease local Irish Republican disaffection. Surely, they would be well aware that such a fool hardy strategy would be quickly sussed by the local Irish Republican community to their detriment. Especially given the historic Irish Republican symbolism encapsulated in East Tyrone and the fact that Cappagh lost one of its own sons, Martin Hurson, during the ’81 Hunger Strike.


Recognition of South Tyrone’s Contribution to the Struggle for Irish Unity

The symbolism of hosting the event in Cappagh can be found by reflecting upon the contribution made by East Tyrone to the political and military struggle for Irish Unity. During ‘The Troubles’, this rural area became the bedrock for the notorious and indomitable East Tyrone Brigade of the IRA. However, this formidable defiance against British presence in Northern Ireland was to come at a heavy toll for the IRA unit and their local community.

Ed Maloney in his book A Secret History of the IRA, recounts that the East Tyrone Brigade lost a total of 53 volunteers during ‘The Troubles’. 28 of these killings occurred between 1987 and 1992. The heaviest single loss of life inflicted upon the IRA unit occurred at Loughgall RUC station on 8 May 1987 (The Loughgall Massacre). A total of 8 IRA volunteers (Loughgall Martyrs) were gunned down by a 24 man SAS unit as they detonated a bomb outside the perimeter of the unmanned RUC barracks. Among the 8 massacred were Jim Lynagh (who devised an Irish adaption of the Maoist military strategy), Patrick Kelly (Commander of the East Tyrone Brigade), Pádraig McKearney (one of the architects of the "third phase" of the IRA’s armed struggle),Gerry O’Callaghan, Eugene Kelly, Tony Gormley and Seamus Donnelly the youngest volunteer at just 19.

Many perceived this largest single killing spree of Irish Republican volunteers by the SAS as the decimation of the East Tyrone Brigade. But the subsequent years this IRA unit would continue their armed struggle undaunted and suffer further casualties in the process. The SAS/NI Security Forces/loyalist paramilitaries were to inflict further causalities in the following years including;

• Gerard Harte, Martin Harte and Brian Mullin in August 1988 (SAS)
• Lawrence McNally, Peter Ryan and Tony Doris in June 1991 (SAS)
• NI security forces killed Peter Clancy, Kevin Barry O'Donnell, Sean O'Farrell and Patrick Vincent in February 1992
• The nationalist community in East Tyrone also had to contend with the threat from Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) who killed 40 people in the area between 1988 and 1994.

Against this backdrop in a week that witnessed the 40th Anniversary of ‘The Troubles’ it is only fitting that this year’s National Hunger Strike commemoration should have been celebrated in Cappagh!

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Ireland Reports Second Swine Flu Death

Swine Flu Claims Second Irish Republic Victim

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) has revealed that the second fatality from Influenza A H1N1 virus in the Republic of Ireland did not suffer from any underlying health problems. The 55 year old male was being treated in a Dublin hospital intensive care unit for a number of days prior to eventually succumbing to the virus on Monday. This Swine Flu fatality was unlike the Republic’s first 18 year old female victim who had been suffering from cystic fibrosis prior to contracting pandemic H1N1 flu.


The HSE’s head of health protection, Dr Kevin Kelleher, explained in today’s Irish Times that whilst 90% of people who contracted the disease would recover without hospitalisation, Swine Flu would claim the lives of a small number of cases who had no underlying health problems. To date, 50 H1N1 flu cases had been admitted to Irish hospitals and current contraction rates for the virus stood at approx. 1,400/wk.

The HSE has also urged schools to open as normal for the new school term in two weeks time. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) are due to meet today to discuss the current status of Ireland’s Swine Flu levels and its possible impact on the forth coming school term.

Topics on the INTO’s agenda for today’s meeting with Irish school bodies and the Department of Education include ; provision of practical Swine Flu advice for both children and teachers with underlying health conditions, specific guidelines for pregnant teachers as well as prioritising teachers as frontline staff in any future Irish governmental vaccination program.

Meanwhile, the World Health has called for extra vigilance against the H1N1 virus right across the Northern hemisphere as the winter months approach.

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McCausland Offended By H-Block Episode

Galbally 1981 Hunger Strike Commemoration Controversy

"It cannot be right that a sports ground should be used for commemorating and celebrating something as offensive as the whole H-Block episode."

Northern Ireland Culture Minister Nelson McCausland as resorted to using the GAA’s Rule 7a to launch a stinging attack on an Irish Republican Remembrance event for the 1981 Hunger Strikers.


Martin Hurson was the 6th Irish Republican martyr to die on hunger strike during the battle for Irish political prisoner status (The Five Demands) in the Maze prison in ‘81. He gallantly stepped forth without reservation to replace South Derry IRA prisoner, Brendan McLaughlin, who at the time was suffering from a perforated ulcer. His ultimate and iconic Irish Republican sacrifice ended after forty-four days on Hunger Strike at 4.30 a.m. on Monday, July 13th, 1981.

In November 1976, Martin Hurson was arrested and subsequently convicted for three IRA landmine attacks against British forces of occupation in Northern Ireland for which he received three concurrent sentences of twenty, fifteen and five years for his involvement. During 'The Troubles' he was a member of the legendary East Tyrone Brigade of the IRA, one of the most formidable units active during this period of Ireland’s quest for Unity.

Democratic Unionist Party Opportunist Rhetoric 

This recent politically opportunist event that presented itself to the DUP’s Nelson McCausland was a recent Irish Republican commemoration for Martin Hurson in his native Galbally, County Tyrone. The newly elected NI Culture Minister has done little to endear himself to the GAA community since taking office in Stormont under Sunningdale Mark II. This incident is just the latest example of the GAA being thrust into the Northern Ireland political spotlight.
 

McCausland first sparked sectarian controversy after taking up the NI Executive post in July by categorically claiming that due to his own religious convictions he would not be attending NI official functions in Roman Catholic churches. He continued to further infuriate Irish Nationalist and Republican sentiment by publicly admitting that he pertained to know little about the biggest group of spectator sports (Gaelic Games) native to the island of Ireland.

As reported on the BBC, Nelson McCausland in his official capacity as Northern Ireland DUP MLA, said regarding the Galbally Hunger Strike commemoration;

"People will be disappointed to see a sports ground used for such a political event which glorifies Irish republican terrorism,...............The event in Tyrone was a retrograde step and I think it has reinforced division and political sectarianism." 

Is Nelson McCausland Adopting the More Inclusive Approach Required by his NI Ministerial Position? 

One shining light from this latest debacle for an eternal political optimist could be the notion that Mr. McCausland has conceivably taken time out from his demanding role as NI culture minister to spruce up on the finer intricacies of Gaelic Games. In fact, could we push the boundaries of fantasy to such an extent that he has seemingly taken the personal time and effort to familiarise himself with the GAA’s official Rule Book! If conceivably possible, this indeed must be heralded as a welcomed monumental step given his rather one dimensional self-professed sporting knowledge directly after taking up the post as NI Culture minister for the wee six counties;

“I have no knowledge of the game in terms of who has won what league or who is playing in a particular league, any more than I have a knowledge of who the Northern Ireland champion is in Lacrosse or squash or many other sports,”

Within this realm of possibility, Nelson McCausland (if I may be so bold!) could be congratulated in his ostensive ability to overcome challenging personal religious ideology in order to prove his procrastinators wrong. Back in July upon being appointed to his new lofty NI ministerial position, he was unashamedly clueless to how Gaelic Games are interlaced into the fabric of Irish culture North and South.

These remarks caused much consternation among the Irish nationalist section of Northern Ireland’s political establishment. Mr McCausland was accused of showing a glaring disregard for the impartiality associated with his new NI ministerial post. His appointment by NI First Minister, Peter Robinson, was deemed by many political pundits as an attempt to win back hard line party elements who had defected to Jim Allister’s TUV in the aftermath of the North’s recent European Elections. At the time of the furore the SDLP's Declan O’Loan was quoted in The Irish Times;


“Nobody can expect a minister to be fully conversant with all aspects of language, culture and sport that we have here. It is important, however, that he shows himself respectful to all. He seems to ignore his duty in that regard.”

This latest contribution by Mr McCausland to the promotion of Northern Ireland cultural diversity has again focused attention on the GAA heartland of County Tyrone. Ironically, it was his initial public admission regarding his ignorance of a decade of Tyrone’s achievements in recent successive GAA All Ireland Football Championships that initially sparked the controversy. In this short space of time is it imaginable that he has acquainted himself with both the GAA Rule Book and the numerous Gaelic Athletic Club’s within this very county, specifically Galbally Pearses Gaelic Athletic Club?

During his recent rant against all things Gaelic he was able to quote that the 1981 Hunger Strike commemoration in the Irish Republican heartland of Cappagh in his opinion, was a direct contravention to the GAA's Rule 7a which stipulates that;

"The Association shall be non-party political. Party political questions shall not be discussed at its meetings, and no Committee, Club, Council or representative thereof shall take part, as such, in any party political movement"

However, whilst Rule 7a does in fact clearly prevent the GAA from political affiliation this specific rule does not ban the Remembrance of Irish cultural or historical events such as the 1981 Hunger Strikes.   However, we could forgive him this minor mis-interpretation given that he is a relevant new comer to the complexities of the Gaelic Games very own'Bible'.


Could the NI Culture Minister Help Turn the Tide of Sectarianism?

Sectarianism has been a cancer that has dogged Northern Ireland society for more than 30 years and its re-emergence has threatened to rear its vile head again. Conceptually, in the face of the recent escalation of Sectarianism in the North, would this optimistic and hypothetical softening in Nelson McCausland’s tolerance of all things Irish culture related help ease sectarian tension?  For example, in his official capacity as Northern Ireland Culture Minister would he cordially welcome and officiate in any possible future visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the North? If such a Papal visit to the North was to transpire with the NI Culture Minister's blessing (of course!), then it would represent a much vaunted U-Turn of biblical proportions given the strict religious convictions of Mr McCausland who recently revealed;


“I have personal views regarding worship and I would not attend a service in a Roman Catholic Church.”

Within the confines of the above scenario, a few HIGHLY optimistic and tentative steps by McCausland to perhaps subconsciously embrace Irish Gaelic tradition as Northern Ireland Cultural Minister could pay due dividends in the months ahead!  Could this hypothetical scenario ever become reality? OR. IS IT.........

Berlin Witnesses 1970s Style Leftist Violence

Berlin Fears Resurgence of Radical Leftist Violence

Berlin has witnessed a spate of arson attacks targeting exclusive cars including Mercedes-Benz, Porsches and BMW’s. The German police have warned that these attacks could signify a potential return to leftist and anarchist violence which ravaged the country during the 1970’s. Berlin have prompted police to warn of a resurgence of the leftist and anarchist violence that terrorised Germany in the 1970s.

Head of the German police union, Rainer Wendt, compared the arson attacks to;

"a renaissance of the leftist terror of the 1970s, borne by hatred of the state and its system, directed against the people who represent it".

History of the Red Army Faction

Germany has not witnessed such wide spread anarchy since the infamous Red Army Faction (RAF), founded in 1968, created havoc during much of the 70’s. The radical leftist group were also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, named after two of their founding leaders, Andreas Baader (1943–77) and Ulrike Meinhof (1934–76).

The Red Army Faction were the first leftist organisation to conduct a sustained armed struggle to combat anti-imperialism in the West. The organisation was steeped in Marxism-Leninism revolutionary ethos and existed for close to 28 years. The RAF affirmed their commitment to violence in pursuit of their anti-imperialist agenda in its first Manifesto entitled ‘The Concept Of The Urban Guerrilla’. This document concluded by stating;

‘To carry out urban guerrilla warfare means to lead the anti-imperialist struggle offensively. The Red Army Fraction creates the connection between legal and illegal struggle, between national struggle and international struggle, between political struggle and armed struggle, between the strategic and tactical position of the international communist movement.’

Between May 11th and May 24th 1972 the RAF embarked on a bombing spree targeting symbols of Western Imperialism including an American military base, a German Police head quarters in Augsburg, the US Armed Forces European Headquarters based in Heidelberg and Springer Press in Hamburg for printing what they regarded anti-left propaganda. Also, they murdered a Karlsruhe federal court judge, Buddenberg, in direct retaliation for alleged mistreatment of RAF prisoners.

However, within the first two weeks of June ’72 the majority of RAF members had been rounded up by German authorities and imprisoned. Undeterred the leftist faction re-organised their strategies and perspectives whilst in prison awaiting their trials. RAF militant activity was to resurface in 1976 when they seized the German embassy in Stockholm. They demanded the release of imprisoned RAF members in exchange for attaches that they were holding hostage. The siege ended when police stormed the building killing two captors.

Ulrike Meinhof was found murdered in her prison cell in September 1976. Following her death German authorities arrested and imprisoned the principle lawyers representing RAF prisoners and their supporters under anti-terrorism laws.

1976 also witnessed the highest number of 2,956 public demonstrations (2,956) in its history which formed the back drop for the now infamous ‘German Autumn’. It is the collective name given to a chain of events which began with the RAF assassination of Chief Federal Prosecutor Siegfried Buback, this killing signalled a significant shift in tactics by the organisation. Previously, the majority of their attacks were confined to western imperialist symbols whilst this killing signified a shift in emphasis to imperialist figure heads. Within 3 months of this attack the RAF struck again this time turning their attentions to Jurgen Ponto, the President of Dresdner Bank. Punto was one of the top five influential businessmen in Germany at the time and represented German interests in NATO and around the globe. However, it emerged that Punto’s assassination was a kidnap attempt that went drastically wrong. In September of ’77 RFA embarked on their most audacious kidnap attempt of their existence.

There target was Germany’s most influential capitalists of his generation, Hans Martin Schleyer, who was both President of the Federal Association of German Industries and the Federal Employers Association. Schleyer was a former Nazi SS officer and was perceived by many as a link between the Third Reich and the post-war Germany. Almost immediately having kidnapped their victim RAF demanded the release of 11 of their members from prison. As the stalemate continued a Palestinian group “Commando Martyr Halimeh” in solidarity with RAF hijacked a Lufthansa airliner and demanded the release of the 11 RAF prisoners and 2 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) being held in Istanbul. During the following five stand off the prisoners were refused all communication with their lawyers and media under emergency drafted legislation known as ‘Kontaktsperre’.

On day 5 of the hijacking German Special Forces, GSG-9, stormed the aircraft in Mogadishu, Somalia, killing 3 of the 4 hijackers. In retaliation, RAF killed Schleyer. That same night Gudrun Ensslin, Jan-Carl Raspe, and Andreas Baader were killed in suspicious circumstances whilst in their prison cells. Initially regarded as a suicide pact this was related refuted with medical evidence.

Sporadic violence followed until March 1998, when the Red Army Fraction (RAF) announced its dissolution after 28 years of armed struggle.

Are We Witnessing a Re-Emergence of Leftist Revolutionary Action

Regarding this recent resurgence in violence Rainer Wendt was remaining coy regarding any potential escalation saying;

"It cannot be ruled out that in the next level of escalation, politicians could again be back in their sights,"

German Conservative politicians have denounced Berlin’s left-leaning government of showing undue leniency towards the culprits. No comment has been forthcoming from Germany’s Federal government.

Left-wing protests have witnessed an upsurge in violence so far this year with 479 policemen injured in running battles with agitators at a Labour Day riot in the anarchist heartland of Kreuzberg.

Time will tell if this violence will dissipate or will manifest itself in more radical action.

Sui Kyi Verdict Causes UN Serious Concern

United Nations 'Water' Down Response to Suu Kyi Verdict

‘The members of the Security Council express serious concern at the conviction and sentencing of... Aung San Suu Kyi and its political impact.’

 ~UK Ambassador John Sawers (UN Security Council President)~

The United Nations Security Council have expressed serious concern at the 18 month house arrest extension of the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The sentencing during what has been described internationally as a ‘SHAM’ trial has signified a cynical attempt by the military junta to remove Suu Kyi from Burmese national elections due to take place in 2010.

Prior to the conviction, numerous world leaders and international human rights organisations including Amnesty International had implored the Burmese military junta to show clemency towards Suu Kyi. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon recently travelled to Burma to meet Senior General Than Shwe but to little avail and was prohibited from even visiting Suu Kyi in jail.

The statement released by the UN had been ‘watered’ down from the original more hard line version which would have un-equivocally ‘condemned’ the military junta’s action and demanded the immediate release of Suu Kyi. The original statement was rephrased due to reservations expressed by Russian and Chinese Security Council representatives. China is a dominant member and has close trade ties with the ruling military junta in Burma.

During the official announcement of the statement John Sawers acknowledged the difference in opinion from some quarters of the 15 member council saying: “We all know that different members of the Security Council have different views.” Whilst his statement fell short of demanding Suu Kyi’s immediate release it did emphasise the requirement for ALL political prisoner release from Burmese jails.

In a separate development the European Union has decided to toughen its stance on Burma by extending its current sanctions to include members of the judiciary that had imposed the house arrest extension on Suu Kyi. Those members of the Burmese judiciary involved will now have their assets frozen and will be prevented from traveling to the EU with immediate effect.

Human Rights Watch White Flag Report

When A White Flag Becomes A Target!

"The Israeli military is stonewalling in the face of evidence that its soldiers killed civilians waving white flags in areas it controlled and where there were no Palestinian fighters. These cases need thorough, independent investigations."

~Joe Stork (Deputy Director) Human Rights Watch (Middle East)~

Human Rights Watch has released the latest in serious damning reports on human rights violations during the 22 Day war in Gaza. Each report has scrutinised various accusations of IDF troops flouting international human rights interventions including White Phosphorous use, Israeli drone attacks, indiscriminate Israeli fire and Hamas rocket attacks into Israel.


Their 6th report (63-pages) entitled, "White Flag Deaths: Killings of Palestinian
Civilians during Operation Cast Lead”, alleging blatant disregard to rules of engagement during Israel’s recent 22 Day Invasion of the Gaza Strip. Yet again this report alludes to the perpetration of potential war crimes upon innocent Palestinian civilians.


Their previous 5 reports along with those compiled by the International Red Cross and Amnesty International, have been discounted by Israeli authorities as being pro-Palestinian. However, ‘Breaking the Silence’, an Israeli organisation produced a report based upon the testimonies from front line Israeli troops actively involved during the 22 Day bombardment. The intricacies of their findings and how they correlated to those of those of the fore mentioned human rights organisations have already been examined by the Rebels Yell in two previous posts ‘Breaking The Silence’[Part 1] and [Part 2].  In a bid to stem this wave of negative criticism Israel released their own counter report called "The Operation in Gaza - Legal and Factual Aspects," which the Rebels Yell also scrutinised here . It is suffice to say that the central recurrent theme of all these human rights reports has been the allegation of IDF troops war crimes against residents of the Gaza Strip.

This meticulous document explicitly probes into 11 civilian fatalities during Operation Cast Lead where innocent Palestinians were gunned down whilst waving white flags. In all cases examined the civilians were explicitly attempting to distinguish themselves from combatants in the war torn enclave. During the course of the Human Rights Watch investigations the Israel Defense Force (IDF) refused numerous invitations to meet with the organisation to discuss these allegations and failed to reply to written requests presented to them regarding the incidents.

If the allegations are substantiated then 11 Palestinian civilians included 5 women and 4 children were shot in cold blood by Israeli Defense Force (IDF) personnel as they tried to flee the hostilities. Human Rights Watch has urged the Israeli authorities to perform scrutinising and authenticable internal inquiries into the alleged atrocities in order to counteract the culture of impunity that exists regarding IDF protocol during the invasion.

"White Flag Deaths: Killings of Palestinian Civilians during Operation Cast Lead," was compiled on the basis of exhaustive field work analysis of seven alleged scenes within Gaza where white flag fatalities were reported. Human Rights Watch analysis of the allegations included irrefutable examination of ballistic reports compiled for each case, documented medical evidence pertaining to each victim, and exhaustive interviewing of eye-witnesses (minimum 3 people) to the each crime scene.

Whilst these 11 Palestinian fatalities, constitute a tiny proportion of the 1,100 plus Gazan fatalities during the 22 Days of Operation: Cast Lead, it is the manner of their deaths which is highly alarming. ALL these civilian killings have one common thread linking them; They were waving internationally identifiable conflict zone SYMBOLS (WHIT FLAGS AND/OR GARMENTS) of civilian status. Significantly, Human Rights Watch also revealed that there were NO Palestinian fighters in any of the areas when the killings took place.

This latter observation strictly refutes IDF claims to the contrary that Palestinian deaths were of a direct consequence of Hamas using civilians (Human Shields) and heavily populated areas to launch counter attacks on Israeli forces. The IDF has produced alleged claims from two of their commanders that Palestinian fighters were using the disguise of white flags to protect themselves but no corroborating evidence to substantiate both claims was provided. In an attempt to legitimize their soldiers actions an IDF statement read;

"Any person who displays a white flag in this way acts illegally, does not enjoy protection from retaliatory action, and endangers nearby civilian populations."

Human Rights Watch has drawn two possible scenarios to explain IDF personnel actions during each of the incidents. The first is that irrefutable evidence exists that Israeli troops did not employ sufficient precautions to differentiate between Palestinian civilians and combatants as stipulated by the laws of war. The second scenario is in fact the deliberate targeting by IDF personnel of Palestinian civilians which under international constitutes a WAR CRIME.

This WAR CRIME allegation can be substantiated by one particular incident investigated of the crime scene by Human Rights Watch. It took place in eastern Jabalya (07/01/09) and involved 5 members (2 women and 3 girls) of the Khalid ‘Abd Rabbo family. As they stood waving their white flags outside their house an IDF soldier opened fire instantly slaying two of the young girls (aged 2 and 7 respectively) and wounding the third along with their grandmother.

The grandmother in question testified to Human Rights Watch; "We spent seven to nine minutes waving the flags, and our faces were looking at them [the soldiers],.................."And suddenly they opened fire and the girls fell to the ground."

The Human Rights Watch report also reveals that in five of the seven incidents that unarmed civilians visibly brandishing white flags, were shot by IDF whilst attempting to escape from conflict areas.

One particular incident (13/01/09) is the day time shooting by an IDF soldier of two Palestinian women as they walked down a straight road in full view whilst holding a white flag after being ordered by Israeli personnel to leave the vicinity. As they compliantly left the hostile zone, Rawiya al-Najjar (47) who was carrying the white flag was shot dead and her relative, Jasmin al-Najjar (23), was wounded. Israeli soldiers who had commandeered a Palestinian house 230 yards further down the road had speciously failed to fire any warning shots to dissuade the oncoming women.

On July 29th, faced with increased international condemnation, Israeli military officials claimed to be actively conducting "field investigations” into five white flag related shootings perpetrated by their soldiers during Operation: Cast Lead. Of the five cases purported to be under Israeli scrutiny at least 2 (‘Abd Rabbo and al-Najjar cases) were also included in the Human Rights Watch report. However, as of the August 10th there has been no official approach to either family by IDF personnel involved in their internal investigations.

Consequently, Human Rights Watch has called for a full impartial investigation into the alleged incidents by an international body to counter act an endemic culture of impunity which exists with the Israeli military structure. Their Middle East Deputy Director Joe Stork claimed;

"The Israel Defense Forces have for years permitted a pervasive culture of impunity regarding unlawful Palestinian deaths...................Field investigations may serve a useful military purpose, but they are inadequate to determine whether a soldier violated the laws of war, and serve as a pretext that a serious investigation is taking place."

The human rights watch dog has also appealed to UN member states to implement a specific apparatus to accurately assess how both Israel and Hamas undertake their own inquiries into alleged breaches of laws-of-war by their combatants.

"White Flag Deaths: Killings of Palestinian Civilians during Operation Cast Lead” can be read in its’ entirety here

Fatah Injects New Blood into Leadership

Historic Fatah Conference Hopes to Rejuvenate Palestinian Support

Fatahs' sixth General Assembly and the first in 20 years, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has succeeded in electing a new executive council and has witnessed a substantial injection of vernal talent  into the party heirarchy. 

This conference was deemed as critical in re-establishing Abbas’ dwindling political authority within the Palestinian movement. In a major revamp of the aging executive 18 seats up for grabs were won by 14 'fresh faces'.

Over 2,000 selected Fatah delegates attended the high profile assemblage in Bethlehem which incidentally was the first to be held on Palestinian soil since Tunis in 1989. However, the conference itself had to be extended from the scheduled 3 days as it had been dogged by political in-fighting and recriminations. In fact at one stage it was thought that the conference would have to be suspended due to escalating tensions between delegates with journalists being advised to refrain from attending. In an effort to diffuse the situation Saudi King Abdullah sent a letter urging Fatah factions to resolve their internal differences. He warned members that their internal squabbling was causing more untold damage to their goal of an independent Palestinian state than their mortal ‘enemy’ Israel.

Abbas has failed to capture the imagination of Palestinians since succeeding the irrepressible and charismatic Yasser Arafat. Since then he has been at the centre of attempting to negotiate a two-state solution with Israel and in the process has failed to accomplish anything tangible in the way of a settlement. This has manifested itself at the polling booths with Fatah conceding vital ground to its more militant Islamist rival Hamas. Fatahs’ political dominance was humiliatingly vanquished at the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006. Furthermore, if this downward slide was to continue many Fatah supporters fear that Abbas would lose re-election to the presidential office in elections due next year. Many Fatah members believe that the only way they can wrestle the mantle of ‘resistance’ from their militant rivals is to re-dress their affiliation with the United States.

However, despite all the initial obstacles Fatah did succeed in nominating a new panel for their 21 member executive council. One of the most notorious new additions is Marwan Barghouti currently imprisoned in Israel serving five consecutive life sentences. He also tipped by many as a possible future successor to Mahmoud Abbas.

Three former security officers who served under Yasser Arafat, Jibril Rajoub, Tawfiq Tirawi and Muhammad Dahlan were all elected, The latter has the unwanted tag of “the man who lost Gaza” after mounting a failed coup attempt against Hamas in 2007. Also among the host of ‘fresh faces’ elected to the council is the Lebanese Fatah mogul, Sultan Abu al-Aynain.

Whilst the shadow of Hamas hovered over Fatahs’ conference proceedings, there is optimism that the re-structuring within the hierarchy will prove to be the first tentative steps of re-building Fatah credibility within the Palestinian electorate. There has also been the daunting concensus that any negotiations with Israel will have to include Hamas. For this to materialise, western and Arab governments will be turning to Egyptian mediation to broker reconciliation between the two factions. This injection of new blood into the Fatah command is geared to re-energize Palestinian support for the political group ahead of the resumption of imminent peace talks involving the Obama administration.


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Israel’s Swine Flu Air Defense System

Rabbis Go Airborne to Halt Swine Flu Spread


Israeli rabbis and Kabbalah (ancient Jewish mystical belief system) mystics have went airborne over the country in an attempt to halt the spread of the dreaded H1N1 swine flu virus. Their weapons of viral destruction were ceremonial trumpets known as shofars (ritual rams’ horns) as they FLU over their disputed land. 

The highly unusual event took place on Monday when around 50 Jewish holy men boarded an Arkia flight from Ben Gurion Airport. They took to the skies to chant prayers and blew their shofars seven times in a ritual which they believe would halt the spread of the disease through Israel in its tracks.

The story that was covered by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, and has Rabbi Yitzhak Batzri claiming;

“The aim of the flight was to stop the pandemic so people will stop dying from it,”

He continues to hail the mission as a resounding success;

“We are certain that, thanks to the prayer, the danger is already behind us”

Since the eating pork is banned under kosher dietary rules, Israel’s ultra-orthodox Deputy Health Minister hit the headlines by controversially insisted that the Influenza A H1N1 should not be referred to as ‘swine flu’. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to have the virus renamed as ‘Mexican flu’.

However, official statistics regarding the spread of H1N1 through Israel since the virus was initially diagnosed in the region show that some 2,000 have contracted the virus and has lead to 5 fatalities.


P.S. It’s a pity they could’nt have used the same technique against Hamas rockets prior to their 22 Day Invasion of Palestine!

Head over to Irish4Palestine for an alternative view on this story!

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Chechen Save The Generation Charity Worker Murdered

Chechnya Witnesses Yet More Callous Assassinations

Kremlin endorsed Chechen President, Ramzan Kadyrov, Recently Proclaimed that Russia’s North Caucasus Region will soon be 'the safest place in the world'!

Chechen Save the Generation Charity worker, Zarema Sadulayeva has been found shot to death along with her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov, just hours after being abducted from their place of work by men masquerading as police officials. This is just the latest callous attack on human rights activists in Chechnya in a matter of months which is controlled by Kremlin endorsed Ramzan A. Kadyrov.


Prominent Russian human rights campaigner, Natalia Estemirova (50), was abducted from the Chechen capital, Grozny, and later found assassinated in neighbouring Ingushetia. Estemirova had been a tireless campaigner for the Russian Human Right’s Organisation, 'Memorial', involved in investigating human rights atrocities and systematic abuse in Chechnya.

Amnesty International described the ruthless killings as a stark global reminder "of the climate of impunity in Chechnya," They also sited the failure of both Russian and Chechen government officials to properly investigate the indefensible murder of human rights activists as a "strong indication that those authorities are at least acquiescent to these crimes." Moscow Helsinki human rights group representative, Ludmila Alexeyeva expressed her revulsion about the murders;
 
“This is just unimaginable. They killed a young woman, she was probably 25, and her husband, who was about the same age. They had just got married,”

Zarema Sadulayeva’s charity, Save The Generation, actively work in the war-pillaged enclave with Chechen children who were injured and traumatized during the 15 year violent conflict in the region. In 2005 another Save the Generation member, Murad Muradov, was arrested and subsequently murdered by Chechen security service with accusations of being an insurgent leveled against him. Kadyrov’s increasing tyrannical grip in this region of the North Caucasus, has become synonymous with a violent and threatening offensive against opposition politicians and human rights organisations. This has all to often manifested itself in murderous silencing and blatant cover up.

The recent spate of killings in the region has prompted the United States to request urgent intervention by Russia to investigate the atrocities. A US State Department official said;
 
"We do have deepening concern about the violence of those who are advocating human rights, the rule of law and independent media and humanitarian assistance in the North Caucasus,"

The Russian governmental officials have claimed that they have sent a forensic team to the Chechen capital, Grozny, to aid the investigations.





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Suu Kyi Sentenced in ‘Sham’ Burmese Trial

Burmese Court Sentences Suu Kyi to 18 Month Extended House Arrest
 
Burmese people around the globe, either still in their homeland or forced into exile are feeling deep revulsion regarding the 18 month house arrest imposed upon their talismanic pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Nobel laureate and recent recipient of Amnesty International’s most prestigious honour – the “Ambassador of Conscience” - was handed the court extention to her house arrest having been accused of harbouring US national John Yettaw at her home after he gained access to her compound uninvited. Incidentally, Mr Yettaw was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and which is set to include 4 years hard labour.

World revulsion at the ‘sham’ verdict centres on the fact that it a cynical and deliberate attempt to remove Sui Kyi from Burma’s political arena especially with national elections looming in 2010. Daw Suu (Daw = “auntie” in Burmese) as she is affectionately known in Burma is the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) embodies her nations desire for self-determination and her selfless work for to promote ‘people power’ in the region has meant she is held in the same global esteem as the late Cory Aquino.

Her pro-democracy party emphatically won the 1990 Burmese national election but their ‘people power’ victory was unrecognised by the ruling military junta. The current Burmese dictatorship swept to power in 1962 leaving death, destruction and misery in their wake as they sought to rule the region with an iron clad fist.

Universal condemnation has come from every democratic corner of the globe except for a few notable exceptions. Due to world economic sanctions the Burmese military junta are heavily reliant on two of the world’s major trading partners trading powers - India and China. Both these countries along with Thailand have remained characteristically tight lipped regarding the pastiche sentencing of Sui Kyi.

World denunciation of the ‘sham’ verdict came from;

•  US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton; "The Burmese junta should immediately end its repression of so many in this country"

• The UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari; "absolutely indispensable to the resumption of a political process that can lead to national reconciliation".

• US President Barack Obama; "immediate unconditional release", describing the extension of house arrest as unjust.

• European Union spokesperson, Ton van Lierop; "Keeping Aung San Suu Kyi under arrest under fabricated reasons violates her fundamental freedoms, and does not serve the proclaimed national interest either"

• UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was; "saddened and angry" at the sentence meted out at the "sham" trial. He decribed it as a "purely political sentence".

• Nicolas Sarkozy has called for the European Union to issue new sanctions against Burma’s military junta.

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Sinn Féin's Political Dilema

Sinn Féin's Ideological Cross Roads


I am penning this post in response to a recent article addressing the lack of progression on Irish Unity by Sinn Fein’s Declan Kearney in An Phoblacht. The article was a timely rallying cry to the remaining Sinn Fein activists prior to yesterday’s Ard Comhairle, in Navan, Co. Meath.



Given Mr Kearney’s esteem within the party hierarchy I thought that his views on Sinn Fein’s political agenda might make interesting reading. Alas, after the first paragraph my hopes of gaining a new political insight were severely dashed! Although eloquently written, it fails miserably to mask the fundamental problem and serves only to re-iterate the much vaunted but now lack lustre Irish Unity strategy adopted by Sinn Fein.

Did Sinn Fein have a Political Plan B?

From preliminary scanning its contents, Mr. Kearney’s article seems a mere pseudo attempt to stir ‘Irish Republican’ sentiment whilst remaining in a delusional (Sunningdale Mark II) comfort zone, hell bent on propping up THEIR ‘so far’ failed Irish Unity strategy and further side swiping and dissing the so-called dissident Irish Republicans! However, whilst remaining within these ‘safe’ confines might be music to the ears for their band wagon ex-SDLP supporters, many traditional Irish Republicans, the very bed rock of Sinn Fein’s foundation, are presumably less than impressed. One interesting observation form the entire article is the stark omission of the words ’32 County Strategy’. Instead he periodically refers to a specific Sinn Fein 26 county strategy. This is hardly conducive to a political party which is supposed to have an alleged 32 County United Ireland agenda at its core.

The first paragraph is quite predictable in re-enforcing upon the reader, Sinn Fein’s progress in true martyrdom style. It also underlines that their pinnacle strategy for Irish Unity still lies in their ‘Political Theatre of Dreams’, The Republic of Ireland. This single minded dogged stance has been the core selling point to Irish Republicans over the years and its continuous rehashing is making it increasingly suspect that Sinn Fein had no apparent Plan B! The only mention of the wee six counties comes to the end of the first paragraph.

Even without the benefit of hindsight given the North's political history, how anyone could actually expect Sunningdale Mark II would advance the cause of Irish Unity is beyond most rational thinking. It could also be construed that this constant infatuation with becoming a power house in Irish politics is in fact a form of acceptance of the failure of Sinn Fein’s Northern Ireland political strategy.

Try as it may and even by the authors self confessed attempts to the contrary, this article amounts to nothing but a string of vague clichés masking the lack of any clear political strategic fore-sight. As regards Sinn Fein’s less than impressive showing in the recent Republic of Ireland European elections, Mr Kearney seems to blame everything and everybody else bar Sinn Fein’s own political stance on the major issues. He lays the blame firmly at the door of various problems including; implementation of the North’s Peace Process, the physical construction of the Sinn Fein political machine in the Republic of Ireland.

Also internal questioning by party members and the existence of political opportunists within SF ranks were also blamed. These latter points have been a proverbial thorn in the side of the party in recent weeks both North and South of the border. In the Republic of Ireland, Christy Burke , John Dwyer and Louise Minihan all sited irreconcilable differences with party policy as their principle reasons for leaving. Louise Minihan gave this summation of her political discontent by claiming that;

"Sinn Féin has over the last 12 years moved steadily away from the core values of Irish socialist republicanism and is no longer willing, or able, to challenge the British occupation of the Six Counties or the rotten capitalist system which is causing so much hardship to working families across Ireland today,"

These resignations were quickly followed up by a public lambasting by Taoiresa Ferris in An Phoblacht regarding the party’s irrelevancy to the Southern electorate. Whilst in the North the recent resignation of Irish Republican stalwart Gerry ‘Gaffer’ Foley in Strabane sent shock waves through the Sinn Fein fraternity.

Whilst Mr Kearney’s article highlighted several peripheral issues within the Sinn Fein’s political structure it did little to address the fundamental political ideological clash and re-balancing required between their nationalist and socialist aspirations.

Nationalism –Vs-Irish Socialism

The whole problem appears to stem from SF’s inability to consolidate a meeting of minds between nationalism and socialism factions as they seek to fight on two political frontiers. This internal struggle to strike a balance between these schools of thought was seen by many as a natural ideological progression following the ‘perceived’ solving of the nationalist question following the Peace Process. However, an alarming out shot has been that nobody within the Sinn Fein party wants to step up to the plate and grasp the nettle of socialism which the party leadership insists is its very essence. This unwillingness in socialist aspiration is in stark contrast to the vision of James Connolly who wrote in ‘Nationalism and Irish Socialism – 1897’;

‘If the national movement of our day is not merely to re-enact the old sad tragedies of our past history, it must show itself capable of rising to the exigencies of the moment.’

The recent European Elections were a golden opportunity for a leftist political party to proverbially milk the leftward swing in Irish electoral sentiment in the midst of the worst recession of a generation.

In a recent article in the Sunday Tribune, ‘The Partitioning of Sinn Fein’ one disillusioned SF party activist bluntly summed up Sinn Fein’s woes;

"Look, Sinn Féin has been imploding for quite a while. The big mystery to everybody is how the media has managed to miss the story for so long............Republicanism is in turmoil. You've got the careerists at the top in their Armani suits gagging to be in government in both parts of the island in time for the centenary of the Rising and they'll get into bed with any other party to do it. And then you've got the people on the ground campaigning on housing and drugs and they see an unelected party official in Dublin involved in selling truckloads of illegal Sky TV boxes. The ties with the dissidents haven't been severed. The leadership turns a blind eye to that and goes off hobnobbing with Fianna Fáil."

Prior to yesterday’s Navan Ard Comhairle, many political pundits believed that the wheels had well and truly come off the Sinn Fein socialist wagon. Time will quickly tell in the boiler room of Irish politics if Sinn Fein can muster a unifying political ideology embracing nationalism and socialism. Or will political events that have yet to transpire show that the ducks have well and truly flown the nest!

‘Without a re-organisation of society on the basis of a broader and more developed form of that common property which underlay the social structure of Ancient Erin - is only national recreancy.

It would be tantamount to a public declaration that our oppressors had so far succeeded in inoculating us with their perverted conceptions of justice and morality that we had finally decided to accept those conceptions as our own, and no longer needed an alien army to force them upon us.’

~James Connolly~