Republican News 04 Nov 97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit IRISH NEWS ROUND-UP Tuesday, 4 November, 1997 1. Talks do not represent political progress - Adams 2. Loyalists plan murder bid using fake car licence plate 3. RUC trawl North Belfast for informers 4. Drug dealers attack Sinn Fein 5. Charges dropped in US Air Force case 6. TD calls for release of H-Block Three ACTIVIST BULLETINS 7. Martin McGuinness to visit Boston 8. Troops Out speaker in Portland, Oregon 9. Famine Walk Commemoration in Pennsylvania 10. Annual IAUC Convention 11. Pre-Christmas Party for POW families, Anaheim 12. Documentary showing in New Jersey 13. H-Block Four Raffle in San Francisco Bay Area 14. Kevin Barry Function - Queensland, Australia >>>> Talks do not represent political progress - Adams Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said that the six-week-old irish peace talks at Stormont Castle "do not represent political progress". Both of the main unionist parties were working to wreck the peace process in different ways, he said. Although the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) led by David Trimble are attending the talks, the party still refuses to engage in face-to-face discussions with Sinn Fein or engage in meaningful negotiations. At the same time, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) led by Ian Paisley is publicly working to destroy the peace process and is boycotting the talks entirely. Speaking outside the talks venue at Stormont Castle, Mr Adams said: "Both the main unionist leaderships are divided only be tactics. Mr Paisley appears to think he can wreck the process from outside, while Mr Trimble appears to think he can wreck the process from inside. I would appeal to grassroots unionists to start thinking about their future - they need to start futuring - and start thinking about the future of these islands." Mr Adams expressed concern that some believed "that since unionists are in the talks, that progress is being made." "It isn't," he said. Mr Trimble said Sinn Fein had "not raised any issues which require a response." But he admitted the talks had not made any progress. He blamed nationalists and the structure of the talks for the deadlock, claiming there had been "some difficulty as to the different aspects of nationalism" with some parties "looking over their shoulders at others". Britain's governor in Ireland, Mo Mowlam, agreed the talks had not been doing well, but that they were better than nothing. "It is slow but this is better than violence," she said. A crunch session of the talks next month may decide whether the process continues. A plenary review meeting, scheduled at Stormont Castle for the first week in December, is to review progress in the talks and the potential for future progress. UNIONIST GAMES A public meeting in Derry last night heard that unionists were "playing games" in the talks. Gerry Adams told a packed meeting in the Guildall that an unprecedented opportunity for peace existed - but that unionist leaders believed that progress would hurt them and only benefit nationalists. He called on unionists to engage "properly and pro-actively" in what he said was a unique opportunity for peace. "The change that is required is about bringing about justice and until we actually bring about that change, until we ring-fence it, until we anchor it, then we can't say that we have peace. "In my view, if David Trimble was giving positive leadership to his section of our people, he would meet with a positive response, because in my contact and in my party's contact with ordinary Unionists and in being involved in a strategic outreach with Unionists for many, many years now, if he gives positive leadership he would receive a more positive response. "Unionism as represented by David Trimble is at the talks at Stormont, but they are playing games. "Unionists must go beyond saying that they are for some sort of devolved administration within the Six Counties elected on proportionality or on proportional representation. "That is as far as they have gone," said Mr Adams. "We want to be generous, to be flexible, to be open towards the Unionists of this statelet. We know that they are going to be here on this island with us for ever and we want to be open to building a new Ireland, to building a society on this island which can reflect the diversity of all our people. "It is important that we who have been at the receiving end of so much repression try to understand where Unionists are coming from as they face up to all of these challenges, because Unionism at that political level believes that every move forward is to the advantage of nationalists and to the disadvantage of themselves. "Those who wish to govern us, whether they be in Dublin or in London, have to be the engine for that change. "The Unionist position is one of refusing to engage, of trying to use a veto to minimise, to impede, to reduce or to spin out the changes which are possible, and the British Government has to say to them that that is not good enough, that this situation is going to change and that there is going to be movement forward on the equality agenda," he said. >>>> Loyalists plan murder bid using fake car licence plate Loyalists may be planning to use the cover of a Sinn Fein's councillor's legitimate car registration to mount a murder attack, it was revealed today. Sinn Fein's Lisburn Councillor, Sue Ramsey, was told this morning that a false number plate bearing her car registration was found in a loyalist area. "It is most likely that loyalists intended using a car similar to Ms. Ramsey's in a nationalist area using the cover of her legitimate registration," the party's Belfast Councillor Alex Maskey said today. He criticised the RUC for refusing to give any other details of the incident. "This targeting of Ms. Ramsey has to be seen in the context of the recent split within the CLMC [loyalist umbrella group] and subsequent attacks which have taken place in loyalist areas. Set against this has been the continuing targeting of Sinn Fein activists including the party President Gerry Adams last month." Meanwhile, more nationalists have been told by the RUC police that their details are in the hands of loyalist terrorists. Fears are mounting that loyalists equipped with up-to-date RUC information are set to mount attacks on Sinn Fein activists after several men in West Belfast were visited by RUC members and warned about the situation. Councillor Maskey called on the RUC "to confirm or deny that loyalists now have access to their files on nationalists." >>>> RUC trawl North Belfast for informers The tactics of the militarised RUC police in trying to recruit informers were again exposed this week in North Belfast. Sinn Fiin Councillors Paddy McManus, Mick Conlon, Bobby Lavery and Danny Lavery have all documented details of approaches over the past four weeks and have urged any one approached to contact their local office, priest or lawyer if worried about being targeted by the RUC. As part of their budget the RUC are having to justify a 'slush fund' for informers and have recently been extremely active in ensuring this money is kept at its existing high level. 20 year old Gary Hutchinson has described his ordeal at the hands of his RUC persecutors. "A few weeks ago the RUC stopped me on the Woodvale Road, which is a loyalist area. They began to caution me regarding minor traffic offences and told me someone would 'be in touch soon'. "One of them signed a form under the name of a Constable Finley of Oldpark RUC barracks. He then gave me a 'producer' to give into Oldpark barracks within seven days. "I phoned up looking an extension while my insurance agency provided me with up-to-date documents and the RUC must have got my telephone number by using the 1471 British Telecom system. Meantime I was facing rioting charges regarding trouble in the area in July. "The phone rang last Monday night, and a voice said, 'this is Antrim Road RUC. Regarding your court case, we can sort all that out, as well as the motoring charges. Gary, we can get all this forgotten about. My name by the way is 'Constable Brian'. Can you talk OK? Is anyone sitting there with you?' "I told him to go away and I was going to see my lawyer who has since told me he knows no RUC member in that barracks by that name." More worrying for the Hutchinson family is the fact that just the next day his partner spotted a red car parked containing two uniformed RUC men and three in plain clothes. She was then followed with her children for several hundred yards. From that incident earlier this week their phone has been ringing in the early hours but no one answers, yet Gary Hutchinson is convinced it is 'Constable Brian' probably using a mobile phone as he cannot get the number from directory enquiries. "I am asking the RUC Chief Constable, is he aware of his forces' activities and their sinister threats about loyalists killing me and my family and their intention to mark me out as a possible undercover agent. With an IRA ceasefire in place I would have thought this harassment would have ended. Obviously the RUC are still on a war footing and as out of control as they ever were." >>>> Drug dealers attack Sinn Fein In the latest in a series of moves by drug dealers against republicans in Newry, County Armagh, a man has been injured after a rock was thrown through his living room window. Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Curran last night warned republicans in the town to "be vigilant against the most serious threat to life in this area for many years." In the attack, Mr Curran's brother was struck on the side of the head by a rock thrown through the window of his home shortly before 5pm on Sunday afternoon. His two children, aged six and 10, were in the room with him at the time. The injured man received four stitches in a head wound. Last night Councillor Curran said that he was in no doubt the attack had been carried out by drug dealers based in the town. "Two men were seen running away and the people who saw them know who they are. "There is a hardcore group of about 10 who have been targetting republicans. This incident takes the total number of attacks to well over 20." The nototious Newry drugs ring have tried to run down Sinn Fein members on numerous occasions, with a hit-and-run attempt on another Sinn Fein councillor, Davy Hyland. The gang have named a republican they wish to "abduct and interrogate," Councillor Curran revealed. "I have absolutely no doubt that a republican in Newry is going to be killed by these people. These people are bound, in their opinion, to get lucky." >>>> Charges dropped in US Air Force case By Christy Mac an Bhaird (for the Irish People) The US Air Force has dropped charges against a Texas-based enlisted man who attended a Dallas Friends of Sinn Fein meeting in January, but the Air Force has not yet reinstated his top-secret security clearance, leaving him on temporary duty that includes cleaning barracks and latrines. Senior Airman Ray Mix, 23, who is stationed at the Medina Annex at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, said on Monday that charges that he failed to obey Air Force regulations concerning contact with foreign nationals were dropped. Mix, who is from California, joined the Air Force in February 1994 and has received high evaluations in his highly sensitive position as a crypto-linguist. The US Government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on security background checks and special training for Mix. Only the best and the brightest qualify for such training in the armed services. The airman's problems began in August when he approached his superiors and indicated that he was planning to attend an Irish Northern Aid meeting. He asked if there would be a problem if he joined INA or the Friends of Sinn Fein. Security officers assured him that neither group was on an official Air Force list of proscribed organizations. Irish Northern Aid is a New York-based non-profit organization that supports the families of Irish political prisoners. Friends of Sinn Fein is the American fundraising arm of the Irish political party, Sinn Fein, and is also based in New York. Mix, a member of the Columcille Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in San Antonio, is not a member of INA or the Friends of Sinn Fein. Two days after he made his initial request, he was pulled off his regular duty and his security clearance was revoked. Military personnel like Mix, who work in highly sensitive cryptanalysis units, are subject to extraordinary regulations prohibiting contact with what the US Government calls "foreign nationals." Oddly enough, Mix says that he worked with British military personal at the Medina Annex. In January 1996, Mix met former Irish president Mary Robinson when she visited Texas for a Famine Commemoration. At the time, he reported that contact to his superiors--with no negative repercussions. But just three days after telling his superiors that he wanted to join INA and the Friends of Sinn Fein, he was pulled in for questioning. Air Force security officers wanted Mix to supply them with "minutes for AOH meetings," in order to get his clearance back. They also wanted him to take a lie-detector test, which he has refused to do on advice from his lawyer. Mix says that during the interview with Air Force security officers they told him that President "Clinton made a mistake" when he issued a visa waiver to Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, and they accused Mix of supporting "terrorist organizations." Mix says he has had outstanding performance evaluations throughout his four years of service, which has included overseas duty. He was also recommended for the Air Force Officer Training School. According to Mix, his military lawyer has said the Air Force would provide him with retraining, but he has declined. He says that his reputation has been ruined and that he wants to receive an honorable discharge from the service. "This is a travesty," he notes. "It's very unfortunate for Irish Americans when the government can do this." He adds that he hopes some day to be able to join INA and the Friends of Sinn Fein. San Antonio resident Jim Delaney, a past president of the Columcille Division and a founder of the Irish American Unity Conference, says that Mix was a "good loyal member of AOH," with "impeccable credentials." Delaney knew Mix for several years and traveled to Dallas with Mix for the meeting in question, where Delaney was a guest speaker. Delaney says that Mix is the type of person "the military should have more of," and that he has "ideal leadership qualities." "The AOH is now under scrutiny," Delaney pointed out. "It's an American organization that's 160 years old. Membership includes men like Cardinal John O'Connor and many Members of Congress. I think [the scrutiny is] outrageous. It's an absolute puzzle. It's not as if the AOH is on a list of proscribed organizations. We've never been suspected by anybody. In effect, this has ended [Mix's] military career.This is no laughing matter." Delaney says that a fundraiser is planned to help Mix with legal expenses. >>>> Sinn Fein TD calls for release of H-Block Three Sinn Fein's TD (member of parliament) for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghin O Caolain gives the keynote address to the Annual Congress of the Irish American Unity Conference in San Francisco on 8 November. While in San Francisco he is due to visit Irish prisoners Pol Brennan, Kevin Barry Artt and Terry Kirby who were recently denied bail by a California Court. They are appealing against a decision to extradite them to the Six Counties. O Caolain attended the reception in Dublin Castle on 30 October for Hillary Clinton. Before his departure for the States O Caolain said: "The role of Irish America is as vital as ever with negotiations under way. Issues of equality as well as the central constitutional demand for an Irish national democracy continue to be highlighted by all the friends of Ireland in t he United States. The positive role of the Clinton administration is ongoing and I conveyed this to Hillary Clinton when I spoke to her on Thursday evening. "Attempts to extradite the H-Block Three from California, like the attempted extradition of fellow H-Block escaper Tony Kelly from this jurisdiction, are totally inconsistent with the peace process. The H-Block Three should be released from jail in California and I will be using the opportunity of my visit to support them and their families." O Caolain will also be meeting with elected officials in California and a cross-section of Irish community leaders in San Francisco. ACTIVIST BULLETINS >>>> Martin McGuinness to visit Boston The highlight of Martin's visit will be a rally in support of a United Ireland and the Irish peace process which will take place at 8pm on Friday, November 14th at the Boston Teachers Union Hall at 180 Mt. Vernon Street in Dorchester. The hall is on the Red Line at the JFK/UMass stop and located in the Bayside Expo building through the north entrance. Free parking is available. A donantion of $20 is suggested. All proceeds will go to Friends of Sinn Fein. Tickets at the door. Show your support for Irish self-determination, justice and equality! Keep the pressure on! For information contact: 617-492-5998 >>>> Troops Out speaker in Portland, Oregon The Portland, Oregon chapter of the IAUC will host the following event : "A Lasting Peace in Northern Ireland: Why the British troops must withdraw" Barrie Spice, member of the British based Troops Out Movement speaks on oppression, injustice and the hope for peace in Northern Ireland. Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30pm Portland Campus Christian Ministry 633 SW Montgomery St on the corner of Broadway and Montgomery Suggested donation $5. Free refreshments ! Parking free in the PSU parking structures after 7:00pm Email contact: greenr@teleport.com >>>> Famine Walk Commemoration in Pennsylvania An Gorta Msr ( The Great Hunger ) Famine Walk Commemoration Sunday, November 16th 1pm Penn's Landing Gathering after the Walk at the Irish Center 4pm, Dinner, Music, cash bar, $20 donation proceeds benefit Famine Education Division 17 members interested in attending the Gathering Dinner after the walk can contact Frank Kelly 215-333-9943 ------- Open letter from the Federation of Irish-American Societies A Chairde, (Friends) The Federation of Irish-American Societies of the Delaware Valley invites all Irish organizations to join in a Commemoration Walk in remembrance of An Gorta Msr (The Great Hunger) ,the Irish Famine. Your participation and support is welcome. The theme is "Survival and Remembrance". As the single most significant event in the history of the Irish people, the world must not forget the horrific events which occurred 150 years ago. We hope to raise funds to promote Famine Education and awareness through an Ad Book and the sale of T-shirts commemorating the Famine Walk. The funds will be used to support the Famine Curriculum Education Bill in Pennsylvania, as well as to purchase sets of books and videos on the Great Hunger, which will be donated to both public and parochial school libraries throughout the area. On Sunday, November 16th at 1:00PM the Famine Walk will begin at Penn's Landing to Market Street, left on 7th Street to left on Walnut Street to the site of the Famine Memorial. The ceremonies will include leaving flowers in the Delaware River to remember the Famine Ships that reached Philadelphia's Ports. Speakers from the Irish community and the Government, both here and in Ireland have been invited to participate. The commemoration will continue with a Gathering of the Organizations at the Irish Center located at 6815 Emlen St, Phila., Pa. at 4:00PM. There will be a buffet dinner (donation $20.00) with cash bar and entertainment. All organizations are welcome to bring their banners and join us on this historic occasion. >>>> Annual IAUC Convention The 14th Annaul IAUC national convention is to be held in San Francisco, California at the airport Clarion Hotel next weekend. Keynote speakers are Caoimgin O'Caolain, Mary Nelis and Don Mullan. For reservations, please call (800) 223-7111. For more information please call (800) 947-4282 or (202) 662-8830. Online registration at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1917 >>>> Pre-Christmas Party for POW families, Anaheim INA Orange Co. will hold a Pre-Christmas Party for the Children & Families of IPOWs at Jerry O'Keefe's, 636 S. Pathfinder Trailm Anaheim, Cal. at 6:30pm on November 8th. Suggested donation $10/$15 per couple. Open bar and food. All proceeds benefit Lifeline. Fore more information call Jerry O'Keefe at (714) 995-2293 or J. Harvey at (562) 691-1570. >>>> Docmentary showing in New Jersey Walled City Stories, a 30 minute documentary produced in the summer of 1996 by Catholic and Protestant teenagers from Derry and two young African-Americans from New York, will be shown at 2:00pm on November 9th. Venue is the Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 East Oakdene Ave., Teaneck, NJ. For info call (201) 836-8923. >>>> H-Block Four Raffle in San Francisco Bay Area An effort is underway in the San Francisco Bay Area to provide material aid to the H-Block Four men and their familes. Most of you will alreay know that the remaing three -- Pol Brenna, Kevin Artt, and Terence Kirby-- were denied bail by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal of California. This is a major set back while these men await the ruling on their extadition appeal, unlikely to occur until later in the Spring of 1998. Join us in an effort to raise a few thousand dollars to provide for the most basic needs of these men and their families in the meantime. The drawing will be on at Wednesday, November 12th at Sinead's Bar and Restaurant, 3536 Geary Boulevard in San Francisco. You don't need to be present to win! 1st prize $1,000 cash 2nd prize $300 travel voucher from Celtic Travel 3rd prize Dinner for two at Sinead's 4th prize Irish China Tickets are $20 each with proceeds divided equally amongst the H-Block Four. If you would like to purchase tickets, please send checks to Elaine Brotherton at 524 - 7th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118. Checks should be made out to the 'H-Block Four Raffle'. For more info call the Hotline number at 415-487-6602. >>>> Kevin Barry Function - Queensland, Australia This year's Kevin Barry function will be held at the Paddington Workers Club, which is at the corner of Latrobe and Given Terrace in Paddington. The function is to be held on the 6th of November at 7pm. Music will be by Shebeen. Tickets are $12 and $8 concession at the door, with a lucky door prize. Full bar facilities and food is available. E-mail contact: aaiqld@ozemail.com.au -------------------------------- -- -- -- From RM_Distribution -- -- an Irish Republican news -- -- and information service. -- -- -- -- http://irlnet.com/rmlist/ -- -- -- -------------------------------- ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-11.07.97-04:35:35-14416