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I
am reliably informed that cracks are starting to appear
in the relationship between Sinn Fein and the more
hardline elements within the Provisionals.
I'm told that one of the better known members of Sinn
Fein, an ex- Provo commander himself, and a few of
his supporters, had a rather serious dust up, with
one of the newer and younger commanders and his crew
in the Felon's Club.
The cause of this altercation?
Well, there are various reasons.
One is the "Big Lad's" continuous denials
of ever having been a member of the IRA.
Now, whether the run of the mill Joe on the street
actually believes this or not is neither here nor
there, but I would think that the younger members
of the Provos, who have grown up worshipping the ground
that he and other members of his party walk on, would
find it slightly demeaning that he denies ever having
been a member of their organization.
You have to wonder why the "Big Fella" continues
with these assertions when he admits to meeting with
former British minister, William Whitelaw, as far
back as 1972, as part of a republican delegation which
former IRA Chief of Staff, Sean MacStiofan claims
were all members of the IRA.
You also have to consider what the political ramifications
would be for him if any former PIRA member were to
break their Italian style Omerta code. (Perhaps thats
the reason why they wear Armani suits.)
But, when I think about it, he would probably do exactly
what Sinn Fein have always done in the past when confronted
about anything, and immediately point the accusing
finger at their adversary, as with Bertie Ahern ("He
has a political axe to grind") and Monsignor
Denis Faul ("He has been anti-republican for
the last thirty years") which really answers
nothing but distorts people's perception of their
accuser.
Secondly, and probably the real reason for the altercation
is the political fallout which has descended on their
party with regard to the Civilian Administration Department.
These are the people of whom I had spoken in a previous
article, who rearrange peoples hairstyles and take
them for short journeys in their van.
You know what I mean, your basic Nazi Stormtrooper,
type of people. A sort of Provisional Gestapo.
Political opponents on both sides of the border have
been lining up to take potshots at the Shinners about
the relationship between their party and the C.A.D
(All the old British Brigadiers would love that abbreviation.)
So, I have to wonder why the relationship between
them has up to now stayed intact.
Is
it the case that the coffers of Sinn Fein are benefitting
from the criminal activities of this group, i.e: The
drug dealing, extortion, hijacking and robbery, not
to mention the punishment attacks on fellow republicans.
I
wouldn't like to think so, but so long as the relationship
exists, their adversaries will gain political capitol
at their expense and their credibility as The political
party of republicans and nationalists will suffer.
So,
hopefully, this is the first signs of a rift between
the two, and as long as it does not lead to bloodshed
on the streets of West Belfast and heralds a return
by Sinn Fein to republican socialist ideals, I for
one, will not be raising any objections.
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