Armed Struggle - an RNU position for debate

RNU Response Document

The Republican Network of Unity would like to make it clear that our organisation remains dedicated to our objective of re-unifying the fragmented resources and support base of the republican movement in Ireland.

The RNU does not have a military wing or military objectives. We acknowledge the right of the Irish people to resist British rule using a wide range of tactics, including armed struggle. Many of our members are former political prisoners and former combatants.

With regard to the recent operations carried out against the Crown forces, RNU has no objection in principle to an organised and disciplined resistance against British rule in Ireland. We also note that the soldiers killed at Massereene Barracks were en route to another country where the imperialist agenda is being enforced by the British Government.

We would also like to add a word of caution, however, to republicans, volunteers, activists and other supporters. Embarking on an armed campaign comes with many burdens and risks both to the volunteers involved and the communities from which they come. Such a campaign requires a far-reaching strategy, material resources, logistics, and effective PR that communicates and gives guidance to the community. Those who drive such a campaign also have a duty to monitor the mood of the people, assess conditions within the community and be able to organise to meet needs of the community.

Historically, armed struggle has manifested itself in cycles particularly when the community is energised by particular sets of circumstances. We would urge republicans to assess recent developments in a broad historical and strategic context.

Militant republicanism has been the connecting thread running through the last 2 hundred years of Irish politics, from the United Irishmen to the last thirty years of conflict. During this period the dominance of the national question has ebbed and flowed.

At times the national question has dominated the political agenda, while at other times it retreated from prominence. Obviously we would welcome the day when Militant separatism is no longer a feature of Irish political life. But that day may only come when Britain no longer exercises sovereignty over any part of Ireland. Militant republicanism only exists in response to foreign interference in Irish affairs.

RNU includes many shades of republican opinion regarding armed struggle and we see it as one of our primary functions to facilitate this and other debates within the republican community.

Finally, we would like to remark upon the words of Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness. The entire political process in the North of Ireland has been a slight-of-hand; embraced the unionist veto, accepted the resuscitation of stormont, consented to a reformed RUC in the guise of the PSNI and is prepared to "administer British rule in Ireland for the foreseeable future"; however, for ‘the Deputy’ to blurt out the words “traitors to Ireland” to describe the IRA volunteers who carried out the Massereene Barracks attack constituted a very lucid moment as far as republicans are concerned.