Editorial May 2003

"We have won the war, now let's win the peace."

Who said this? A famous British person made this statement. No I'm not talking about the greatest Britain of all time Winston Churchill, nor am I talking about the worst Britain of all time, Tony Blair. The person who said this was none other than the famous Grandad of Irish republicanism Joe Cahill!


At a recent gathering of the party faithful Cahill, a veteran republican who should have been hung, told the assembled crowd that they (the republican movement) had won the war and it was now time to win the peace. This statement was addressed to both the community from which I come from as well as his own. For republicans it was a battle cry, we've beaten the bastards (you wish) at fighting now we'll beat them at the polls as well. For my community he was telling us (in his own way) that the war is over. Why can't the Provos simply say that?

Did they win the war? Of course not. Are we still part of the United Kingdom? Yes. So how did the Provos win the war? In their dreams they won the war. What did the hunger strikers die for? What did thousands of republicans spend time in jail for? What did all those republicans die or be maimed for life for? To remain British? I think not.

Assuming he still lives in west Belfast Joe Cahill remains a resident of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and will continue to do so until he dies.

With regard to the peace he wants to win. Is he on a different planet than everyone else? I understood that in this political game everyone had to win, so republicans can't win, more like a score draw in my opinion.

If I was a republican, which thank god I'm not there is no way I could settle for what Joe Cahill has settled for. Is he really a republican? Is Gerry Adams really a republican? What about McGuinness, Kelly etc?

In a way I have respect for Republican Sinn Fein, at least they state what they want and are still going for that objective. Adams is okay, he will move to his luxury bungalow to live in the Republic of Ireland he craves for, whilst the rest of his foot soldiers remain in good old Northern Ireland. Hypocrite or what?

Collusion

Well hasn't John Stevens rattled a few cages with his revelations? Not really. It is well documented elsewhere that there was and probably is collusion. Stevens says that there may have been collusion in the Lambert and Finucane deaths. The Lambert family respond with immense common sense, they know as we all do that in every organisation there are some rotten apples. The old RUC was no different. The Lambert family want to move on, which seems to me in today's environment the right and proper thing to do. Consider the reaction of the Finucane family in contrast. They want a public enquiry, just like Sinn Fein, just like the Committee for Justice (I think that's their name). What a waste of money. Will it tell them anything they don't know? I doubt it. Could a new hospital be built with the money, which would be wasted? Yes. Will lawyers and solicitors become millionaires out of it? Yes. Will Joe Public reap the benefit? No.

Whilst we're on the subject of collusion.

What about collusion between Steaknife/Breadknife - whatever he is called and the security forces?

What about collusion between the Roman Catholic Church and the Provos?

Sure, if we're going to waste millions then let's do the lot.

When is a Ceasefire not a Ceasefire?

Goodness knows. Is there any line the IRA must step over before the British, Irish and US governments tell them to get lost? The Provos continue to murder (McDonald to name but one), recruit (Keith Rogers killed in Crossmaglen), purchase guns (Florida), move guns (lower Ormeau Road), shoot Protestant children (Cluan Place) spy (Stormont), export terrorism (Columbia) and brutally maim the young people of the republican communities by blowing their kneecaps etc off. They do all this and probably more (Castlereagh, how could I forget?) and get away with it.

It is incredible that a democratic party, which is inextricably linked to the private army, which carries out these acts are pandered to at their every turn. Keep giving them sweeties so that they don't bomb London etc that seems to be the plan. On the Runs, not part of the agreement, are given an amnesty and still they do their Oliver Twist impersonation. Incredible. It must stop.

Iraq

At least Blair stood up to that other terrorist leader, Saddam. Australia, the UK and of course the good old US of A stood firm against the tyranny in that country. They are to be congratulated.

To the service men and woman who fought the battle - well done - hold your head high.

To the families of those who failed to return - our thoughts are with you. They paid the ultimate sacrifice.

To the families of the two Irish Guards who died, one from the Republic of Ireland and the other from Zimbabwe we think of you in particular.

At the going down of the sun - we will remember them.