extended until midnight on 16 January? Have there been any negotiations with the British Government itself?
No, there have been no direct nogotiations. However, I hope that these will be lortbcoming in the near Tature. There is not an awful lot to be seen in the New Year message from Merlyn Rees. But there was a certain amount of ground on which he was flexible, and one must take adrantage of any Rexibility that W shown by any establishment What sort of flexibility? There doesn't seem to have been much response with just 20 internees being let out.
People place too much importance on the relcase of internees. There are 2,000 political prisoners in Ireland at the moment. Internees only represent approximately 25% of that. And while as an ex-internee myself I can sympathise with all of them, one must keep the whole context of Republican prisoners in: mind. There is no yardstick by which the terms of a response can be measured by the number of releases.
What kind of response are you looking for?
What we are looking for is a political response, the opportunity to manoeuvre to obtaina proper standard ol negotiations where the voice of the Republican movement and its aims and objectives can be fairly and squarely placed in front of the British Government. Part and parcel of that is the release of all political prisoners.
So you are looking for a declaration of intent for a British withdrawal?
Demonstration in London on We must, naturally. The is our first pre-requisite for a permanent truce, a permanent ceasefire whech could lead to the end of the war.
What Kind of withdrawal are you talking about?
Withdrawal of the British way of life from thisisland. This is Ireland. The British way of life has no place on this bland. All chings British we are talking about not just the withdra wai of the British army, which in necessarily u fitst step, We must have Ine occupation forces out of the country before anything cise can be obtained.
What do you mean by 'the British way of life'? The economic control?
Yes, the coonomic contre!, the influences even of the British way of life. Why should we have a King Street or a Queen Street? We haven't had a people who can't at the moment years. A simple thing, but it shows The influence of the British occupation of this island.
The whole system, the whole structure of the social services, the whole structure of the economy, the orpitalet monolith which is in this island of ours at the moment —on both sides of the border, 1 might add-it needs a complete change of life. We are locking for a democratic socialist republic, and there is nothing democrale or soclist about what is across the water from this island.
There have been some Sinn Fein statements that seem to indicate that certain things less than what you are saying would actually be sufficient for a permanent ceasefire, in that the main emphasis has been on this TROOPS OUT - enu to all harassment.
the Irish people to negotiate their own future destinytirely different concent altogether.
to extend the ceasefire beyond the two weeks?
negotiations must take place at the very highest level. Without that rocognition there is no sense in going any further.
ment is still refusing to negotiate with the Provisionals.
out much hope for any further exreusion.
heen playing over the past weeks?
the British Government?
of the story for peace and to hear ertheless it was a very harmonious a pity that the Free State Special truce was deciared, for three main - reasons: ple needed the break for the Xmas holidays, and we decided to give them Che New Year as well.
ublican movement that caused the the areas. In some cases it's been the harassment is still maintained. the streets to their barracks pending their removal from the island. (bi an fike myself.
2 The recognition of the right of 3.A general amnesty for all political prisoners und at those on the run because of the present situation.
Now that declaration of intent is not a declaration of intent for the British army to withdraw, It's a declaration otistent for the British Gotcrament to withdraw which is an enWhat steps would be sufficient Well, I think the most immediate thing would be the recognition that take.
looking for!
At this stage the British Governso they say, and unless they change their mind on that point. I don't hold What role have these churchmen Haven't they in some ways acted as mediators between yourselves and They were never instrumental in anything. You must understand, the churchen came to us. They wanted to talk to us to pul across their side.
our side of the story. This was accomplished at Feukle in Co Clare, They were very sincere, very honest, and sometimes a little too frank. But nevlooking for? and very enlightening discussion it's Branch had to break it up so early.
As a result of that, an I1-day 1. To show that we recognise the courage of the churchmen, to show that a direct approach gets direct re sults. Better than all this flannel and ail these peace groups who talk about giving us tus, that and the other thing.
2. Because we thought that our peo3. To give the British Government time to come up with a response to our initiative. Hecause it was out initiative-it was an initiative of the RepWhat is your attitude to their response then, which as I was saying before doesn't seem to be very much?
We can only work in optimism There her been a definite lower profile displayed by the British army in Britain's going to have to pay the bill, The cconomy of this country, when this country goes on its own, is going to have to be stabilised by Britain.