RSF oppose Orde's visit to Cork

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Thursday September 27, 2007 22:22

by Seán Ó Murchú - Sinn Féin Poblachtach - Cork

Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton

The visit of the head of the British Colonial police in Ireland to Cork tomorrow (September 28) is part of the ongoing process of normalising British rule in Ireland. By bringing Hugh Orde to Cork, like his visit to Ballymurphy in Belfast and Crossmaglen in Co Armagh, an attempt is being made to suggest that British rule and its forces of occupation are now normal and acceptable.

British rule and continued British occupation are the cause of conflict in Ireland and will never be acceptable or normal. Events such as this or a visit by the Queen of England will be opposed by Irish Republicans.

As they continue their efforts to bed down British rule in Ireland, the British government and the Dublin administration are attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the Irish people, to sell them the big lie that the national question has finally been settled.

Such a just and lasting settlement of the conflict in Ireland can only be brought about by a full and public British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland. Such a development would create the space necessary for all of the Irish people to sit down and negotiate a New Ireland.

We believe the proposals for a Federal Ireland contained within EIRE NUA provide the blueprint for building that New Ireland.