jmg@sftig.UUCP (J.McGhee) (10/16/85)
A British Labour Party member of Parliament, Ms. Claire Short, a prominent member of the British anti-war movement, testified before the Congressional Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs in Washington, DC last week. In his opening remarks, chairman Mario Biaggi described Ms. Short as: "an outspoken opponent of her country's direct rule policy over the six northeast counties of Ireland. Her appearance is an indication of her commitment to the issue of peace with justice in north Ireland. We want to get her views on what role we in Congress can play to assist the effort." "Claire impresses me with her commitment to the Irish struggle. She has been specifically involved in fighting what I consider to be the most insidious of all the evils in north Ireland - employment discrimination. The unemployment rate in Belfast has now reached 70%." "We were always aware that north Ireland had the highest unemployment rate in all of Western Europe, but this figure far exceeds even the worst expectations of the depth of the problem. It is obvious that we must develop a strategy to deal with the economic calamity that plagues north Ireland today." "I have one approach which is embodied in a piece of legislation I introduced. It would provide some $500 million in economic assistance to north Ireland over five years, contingent on the British government declaring its intention to withdraw from north Ireland. I insist on the condition of British withdrawal because without it, all we would be doing is subsidizing continued discrimination." "More immediate steps should also be taken. American firms which are doing an estimated $400 million in business each year in north Ireland must do more to fight discrimination. One approach I support would be US companies agreeing to employ the McBride principles of non-discrimination." The McBride principles were formulated by Sean McBride, founder and head of Amnesty International, special assistant to the Secretary General of the United Nations, renowned international jurist and Nobel Laureate. Ms. Short opened her testimony by stating that her government expends a lot of effort and money in the United States defending the situation in northeast Ireland and is extremely concerned about American attitudes. She noted that she thinks it is likely that Americans get distorted attitudes from the British media. Ms. Short stated that 50% of the British people, in polls, have indicated that they would like to withdraw from northeast Ireland, but this is not often talked about. She indicated that the British people are beginning to resent the fact that they have no rights regarding their country's policies on northeast Ireland; that what is being done in the name of the British people is not a democratically selected path. She remarked that the attitudes of most British politicians is that Ireland is such a problem and so controversial that they keep out of it and wash their hands of the whole situation. In private conversations they indicate that if there is a way out they would like to take it. Ms. Short noted that many British politicians are frightened to get involved in northeast Ireland because it is interpreted in the press that they support violence. Congressman Biaggi remarked that US supporters of British withdrawal are subjected to the same criticism. Ms. Short said she is firmly convinced that there will be no peace in Ireland until there is a British withdrawal and said that it is dangerous for the British government to do nothing. Regarding the fear of exacerbating bloodshed, Ms. Short said that in the early stages the Loyalist community would feel a need to threaten and Britain has to be prepared for it and take it as it comes and then things would settle down. She said that in open discussions Loyalists believe Ireland will eventually be united, but hopefully not in their lifetime. A member of Congress asked what they could do. Ms. Short said they should do more of the same things they are now doing; that they should continue to work through the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, visit northeast Ireland individually; meet with all the parties involved; stand up to the media and not allow anyone to call them supporters of terrorist activities because they do not accept the current situation in northeast Ireland. She said, if America really wants to be a friend to Britain, the US must tell Britain what a mess she has in northeast Ireland and must not make her comfortable by accepting British propaganda.