January 21 1975
SIR – When confronted with social problems, the origins of which they do not comprehend, people seek a simple explanation. Such simplification is called “scapegoat”.
It is always the “other fellow” who transgresses. This attitude colours our conflicts as all-black and all-white.
Northern Ireland’s current chaotic conditions exemplifies this tendency. To the Provisional, England is the arch villain. The English, of short memory and ever expedient, talk of extirpating terrorists, which when accomplished, would solve the province’s problems.
Ian Paisley sees the hand of the Vatican as the underlying cause of “Ulster’s” troubles.
The scapegoat, in various guise, stalks the land. The reality is otherwise.
Patriots of Provisional persuasion conceive England as the enemy. They do not distinguish between the England of yesteryear and the England of today. The former had much to answer for; the latter, if only for economic reasons, desires the elimination of ancient enmities.
Ireland and England are geographically linked. Economically they are interdependent.
As friendly neighbours, both countries benefit. As enemies, both lose. Economic forces will, eventually, bring about a re-united Ireland.
Re-unification cannot be achieved by short-term violent methods; however such methods, by shock, may hasten its advent.
Irishmen should forget the past and England cease to seek expedients instead of enduring solutions.
The Paisley phobia of Popery, prevalent amongst Protestants who live in the past, will perish because economic necessity overcomes prejudice.
Northern Ireland is not an economic entity. Its economy is dependent on British aid. That aid, withdrawn, would cause its collapse.
Letter from JP Harris claiming economic factors will bring about Irish unity eventually.
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Officials Appeal to Provos
THE Executive of Republican Clubs appealed last night to the rank and file in the Provisional IRA to demand an immediate resumption of the ceasefire and end what it described as “sabre rattling” by the Provo leadership.
The statement said that face-saving by the Provisional leadership should not proceed at the expense of more civilian bombings and a loss of innocent lives.
The Executive claimed that the ending of the ceasefire had proved a propaganda boost for the British authorities and neither honour nor victory were to be gained by the Provisionals in bargaining with the liberty of internees.
The Official IRA also blamed the split within the IRA in 1970 for making matters worse for the people of the North.
