|
On this, the commemoration of the Easter rising of 1916, we remember with pride
and honour our friends and comrades who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for National Liberation and Socialism in Ireland. No sacrifice was greater than that of those who laid down their lives so courageously, and no loss is more praiseworthy or more greatly mourned. We remember the loved ones of our comrades who have been left behind with nothing more than their memories. We send revolutionary and solidarity greetings to our comrades in Ireland and to the network of comrades in America, Canada, Britain, and Europe. We salute the courage and commitment you have shown in the struggle for national liberation and socialism in Ireland. We salute the support you have shown, not only for the Republican Socialist Movement, but to the political prisoners and we pay tribute to you for your fortitude and support over the long hard years.
We must not forget, however, the sacrifices our comrades made, and we must never forget the cause for which they died. They did not die for some idealistic 32 county Republic with the Brits out. Nor did they die for an internal settlement in the six counties., which the mainstream bourgeois nationalist parties seem intent on. No they fought and died for a 32 county Socialist Republic, with the working class in control of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and freedom from outside interference. We would do well to remember the words of the 1916 leader James Connolly when he said, "If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organisation of the Socialist Republic, your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through her array of commercial and industrial institutions she has planted in this country..." We salute the leadership of the Republican Socialist Movement in its endeavours not only to raise the profile of the IRSP, which it has done with relative success, but to show that we have a distinct brand of politics. We would urge the leadership to "draw up a programme for the IRSP and it is incumbent on everyone of our members to follow the programme with all their energy and enthusiasm." We would also urge not only the leadership of the Republican Socialist Movement, but also the network of comrades in America, Canada, Britain and Europe to be proactive in its opposition to the so-called "peace process." This we feel would be a fitting tribute to the memory of all those who have given their lives for National Liberation and Socialism in Ireland. We have in the past made it quite clear that there is no linkage between the freedom of political prisoners and the decommissioning of weapons, or a seat at a conference table. As Prisoners of War, we reject any notion that we can be bargained for. We will settle for nothing less than an amnesty for all those imprisoned as a result of the conflict. Republican Socialist Prisoners of War, Long Kesh |