Press release: "Peace" monument

The proposal by Bertie Ahern to build a "monument to the peace process" in the border region is yet another attempt to further the policy of normalizing British rule in Ireland.

Ahern said “The Good Friday Agreement has settled the constitutional issue. The principle of consent is accepted and everyone’s rights and aspirations are protected in the new democratic institutions.”

What about the right of the Irish people to freedom and self-determination? Obviously this is not a factor for those in the halls of power in Ireland both north and south.

What he refers to as the "principle of consent" is nothing more than the old unionist veto repackaged. This principle means the aspirations of the Irish people can be vetoed by a minority of 18% and as such should be opposed by all republicans and democrats in Ireland.

We in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement believe that the 5 million euro which is to be put aside for this monument could be better used to benefit the Irish people by putting it towards hospital beds or alleviating the problem of homelessness.

We also think that it is premature to erect a monument to peace when the core cause of the conflict still remains. That cause is Britain's claim to sovereignty over a part of our country which is in fact illegal under international law.

While we would like to see peace in Ireland the reality is that as long as the British remain here there is always the possibility of renewed conflict. The Irish people have a legal right to resist the occupation of our country through whatever means they deem necessary including the use of armed struggle.

If people want to see a day when we can erect a monument to a real peace in Ireland then they must join with us in seeking to remove the British from these shores and helping to establish an all Ireland Socialist Democratic Republic.

Kevin Murphy
PRO
32 County Sovereignty Movement
South Armagh

Oglaigh na hEireann Easter Statement 2007.

The Leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann extend Easter greetings to our Volunteers and supporters and to all POW's currently incarcerated for remaining true to the vision of the men and women of 1916. We also extend solidarity and fraternal greetings to fellow revolutionaries the world over, mindful that the anti colonial and anti imperialist struggle is both national and international. Oglaigh na hEireann stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your struggles to rid your nations and peoples of military, political and economic occupation by foreign despots.

Oglaigh na hEireann remember with pride all those who have fallen in the national liberation struggle from all republican organisations, we send easter greetings to the families and friends of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, especially in the most recent campaigns.

We commend our volunteers for the discipline they have shown during these difficult times for republicanism. Discipline is essential if republicanism is to prosper in the future. Republicanism cannot allow itself to be sullied by acts of criminality carried out by those purporting to act in its name, such acts not only bring ignominy on the perpetrators but the entire republican family. We must move forward with principle, clear vision and unity of purpose. We know what need to be done, we cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked by counter revolutionary activities.

This Easter we commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Easter Rising when republicans from varying political backgrounds and outlooks united on the issues they agreed upon, the necessity of breaking the connection with England and the establishment of a sovereign Irish republic. Today republicanism has also many diverse strands however diversity is a strength, not a weakness, republican diversity and republican unity can co exist. Provided republicans can agree on the central issue, namely the restoration and defence of Irish National sovereignty then we can rebuild a stronger movement capable of challenging British rule in Ireland. Republicanism must return to its progressive and democratic roots if it is to prevent itself being dragged down avenues created to destroy it.

We take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those who took the correct stance on the RUC/PSNI during the recent debate on that issue. Once again we state our total and absolute rejection of this force as acceptable in Ireland. No British policing in Ireland can be countenanced by republicans. Ireland is illegally occupied by Britain thus rendering and British force or institution of power illegal,this is the republican position.

The total capitulation of a once revolutionary movement has shocked and saddened many but has come as no surprise to Oglaigh na hEireann. History is littered with examples of revolutionaries becoming absorbed into the state apparatus of the systems they once fought. The promise of changing the system from within has turned out to be an empty one for republicans. In these historic times history teaches us to be wary of such hollow rhetoric. Those who have in the past promised to change the system today preside over massive inequalities of wealth and opportunity and the wholesale rape and theft of our natural resources. Others who more recently promised to lead us to the republic have delivered British rule and at a terrible cost.

Thankfully our history has also taught us that there will always be those willing to resist injustice and occupation by whatever means are at their disposal, including force of arms. Likewise Oglaigh na hEireann, the Irish Republican Army will continue to reserve the right to use armed force as and when we deem it necessary.
In Defence of the Nation.
Beir Bua.

Murphy calls for collaboration

For the second time in a week Conor Murphy has taken the side of the crown forces over that of the youth of South Armagh and given a clear indication of where Sinn Fein stands.

The people of Crossmaglen clearly reject any British police force in Ireland and the young people have demonstrated this by carrying out attacks upon them. Despite Murphy's claims that these attacks are being carried out by "sinister elements" they are in fact a manifestation of peoples anger at the continued occupation of their country and of Sinn Feins stance that we should now support that occupation.

Murphy said "I would appeal to those involved in this type of pointless activity to wise up and to reflect upon the damage that this type of activity does to the reputation of the local community here in Crossmaglen"

But contrary to his claim it is in fact these young people who are upholding the reputation of South Armagh as a place where foreign occupying forces will never be welcomed. It is they who are continuing with the same spirit of resistance that the people of this area have always shown. Long may it continue.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement calls on Conor Murphy to "wise up" himself and "reflect on the damage" he is doing to the community through calling on local people to become informers for the British and also ask what his own collaboration "does to the reputation of the local community here in Crossmaglen".

Kevin Murphy

PRO

32 County Sovereignty Movement

South Armagh

PRESS RELEASE ON CRASH OF BRITISH HELICOPTER

The crash landing of a British military helicopter in Crossmaglen is an extremely worrying development, although one which local people are not entirely surprised at, as these helicopters constantly fly at a dangerously low level, and without regard for the safety and well being of the local population.

Photographs of the crash illustrate just how close this was to a housing estate, and just how lucky we are that there was not massive civilian fatalities in the area. As long as the British army remain in Ireland there is always the possibility that next time we will not be so lucky.

The statement by Conor Murphy calling on local people to inform on those who subsequently attacked the crown forces in the area is a clear illustration of which side he is now on. We have little doubt that this call for collaboration with the British crown forces will be completely ignored by the people of Crossmaglen.

What Conor Murphy does is his own business, but it is utterly contemptible that he would make such a call in the name of Irish republicanism, and in the process disrespect the memory of all those Republican volunteers who gave their lives fighting against the very same crown forces.

We in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, for our part, salute the acts of resistance shown by the youth of Crossmaglen, who clearly have not bought into the revisionist lies and distortions being sold to them.

Republicans in South Armagh must now begin the arduous, but necessary task of rebuilding Republicanism in the area, and creating a resistance movement, bigger and better than that which we once had, in order to drive the British army once and for all from these shores and establish an independent Irish Republic.

Kevin Murphy

PRO

32 County Sovereignty Movement

South Armagh

PRESS RELEASE:WATER CHARGES ARE ILLEGAL

The recent talks in London between the constitutional political parties and the British Government with the aim of postponing the upcoming water bills for the first year, is in itself an admission by the parties that they will agree to the charges after that year.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement calls on all the people of the north to refuse to pay the new water charges if they are introduced in April, but also if they are not to use the next year to build massive opposition at a grass roots level. As we already pay for water as part of our rates bill, the introduction of these charges will mean that the people of the six counties will now be paying twice.

But more importantly this constitutes the theft of Irish natural resources by a British company, and just one more of the negative effects of the British occupation of our country.

International law states that "The right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over their natural wealth and resources must be exercised in the interest of their national development and of the well-being of the people of the State concerned." (General Assembly resolution 1803)

The privatization and sale of our own water back to us however will be done only in the interests of a few company directors, and certainly not "in the interest of their national development and of the well-being of the people" of Ireland. We contest that this charge is in fact a breach of International law, and as such it is not only our right but our duty to refuse to pay.

We would call on those who have not done so already to join one of the groups set up specifically to oppose water charges, such as the "we won't pay campaign" who have done excellent work, but which can only improve with numbers.

Finally we would ask people to think what will happen if they fail to stand up and resist? Already there is talk that in the near future we will have to pay to have our bins emptied. Now is the time to take a stand against the theft and privatization of Irish natural resources and the blatant disregard for our national sovereignty.

Kevin Murphy
PRO
32 County Sovereignty Movement
South Armagh

PRESS RELEASE-BRITISH POLICING IS POLITICAL POLICING

The recent announcement of the recruitment of 50 part time PSNI officers for the Newry and Mourne area (and despite the medias portrayal of it as a bold step forward) is nothing more than an extension of the British governments normalization policy in Ireland.

These people who will take up their positions in July of this year will be no different than any other member of the RUC in that their principle aim will be to maintain the status quo and defend Britain's illegal claim to sovereignty in the six occupied counties.

The recent claims which have been made by the constitutional political parties that policing has now changed were exposed for what they were, when only the day after the recent assembly elections independent republican Gerry McGeough was arrested leaving a polling station in Omagh. This arrest was clearly politically motivated and was intended as a message to all republicans that nothing has changed and that those who oppose the British presence in Ireland will be removed and silenced.

The fact is that as long as there is a dispute over the constitutional status of the six counties British policing will remain political policing as it is there to carry out the will and enforce the laws of one of the main protagonists in the conflict.

We in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement fully recognize that people need civic policing, but civic policing can only come from a police force that is neutral on the constitutional issue. With this in mind we have been calling for an international police force as outlined in our documents "No other law" and "The Necessity of Policing and The Necessity for Constitutional Change " and we would urge all people who really do seek non-political policing to read and comment on these documents.

It has also been brought to our attention that several teachers and others with influence over young people in the South Armagh area have been urging them to consider a career in the PSNI. We would ask them to carefully think about how they use their influence as they are asking these young people to put themselves in the firing line, something which could have fatal consequences.

We would also call on the people of South Armagh to reject British Policing as they have always done and give their full support to those who seek to end the occupation of our country.

Kevin Murphy

P.R.O.

32 County Sovereignty Movement

South Armagh

Press Release: 32CSM condemns politically motivated arrest of Gerry McGeough

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement condemns the politically motivated arrest of assembly candidate Gerry McGeough outside Omagh Leisure Centre on Thursday 8th March. This disgraceful arrest is not only an attack on his mandate and on the nationalist people but is also a clear message that the RUC/PSNI hasn't changed and despite assertions from Provisional Sinn Fein, the RUC will still carry out political policing functions at the behest of the British security establishment. This arrest is quite clearly a shot across the bows of Mr Adams and his party and a reminder that they must fully endorse British law in Ireland and the political establishment that enacts such laws.

The timing of this arrest is irrefutable evidence of political policing and the fact that it was carried out just after the election as opposed to prior to elections clearly indicates political intervention by the British security establishment. It further underlines the folly of nationalist endorsement of British policing in Ireland