Part 015 - PAMPHLET 038 015

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motion of nuclear disarmament, the promotion of peace internationally, and independence in political, econo- mic and ideological matters. S INN Fein is totally oppo- sed to the twenty-six counties being involved in the EEC Security Commit- tee. In our consistent opposit- ion to EEC membership we have pointed out the dangers of such involvement. Strategic considerations have al- ways been a major factor in the British government's attitude to Ire- land, which is considered by NATO as an important element in strategic planning. These considerations have increasingly led to US interest in the stabilisation of the six-county situation. We will continue to oppose all plans for the siting of a military, radar or communications network in any part of this country. To the ordinary people of the twenty-six .counties I appeal that they examine their government's role in these issues with the same cyni- cism you afford them on social and economic issues. I know the effects of censorship tend to insu- late you from the real suffering of Northern people and of the eff- ects which partition and the Brit- ish domination of Irish affairs have on your lives. Nonetheless, I remind you that your government said, "No internal agreement would be accept- able." Your government said, "The UDR must be disbanded." Your gov- ernment and its opposition called for "sweeping changes in the econo- mic, social and judicial institutions of the six counties". I remind you of the words of the leader of the opposition. I appeal 10 to you to make yourselves more aware of the centrality of partit- ion in all our related social, econo- mic, cultural and political ills and I call upon you not to leave your brothers and sisters in the six coun- ties, or their future, in the hands of cynical or manipulative career poli- ticians. W HAT happened once be- fore in the 'great political initiative of the 1920s'. It cannot be allowed to hap- pen again. We as a nation have a right to nat- ional self-determination. Ireland does not stop at the British border. And no Irish institution, government or otherwise, has the right to sign any treaty with the British which en- croaches on Irish sovereignty. On a more practical note, you should con- sider also why you, as a taxpayer, were being charged £53 per year in 1984 for the 'privilege' of partition when the cost to your British con- temporary was a mere £9 per year. So much for economic planning! You should not be confused by Dublin or SDLP support for the unionist veto. Northern Protestants have as much right as any other section of the Irish people to shape, or veto the shape, of any future independent Irish society, but un- ionists have absolutely no right to veto that society's right to national self-determination. They have no right to veto over the British connect- ion. Dublin often attempts to con- fuse its acceptance of this veto as being part of a high-minded pluralist approach. It is nothing of the sort. It is merely an ignoble surrender to a reactionary and undemocratic assert- ion of brute force. Real proof of the